Site demands of a foetid juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Wild.) in Arasbaran, East Azerbaijan Province

This paper aimed to study the ecological characteristics of foetid juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Wild.) in Arasbaran forests, north-west of Iran. The study area of 15000 ha includes 13335 ha in Sutan-chay sub-basin of Kaleibar Chai basin and 665 ha, a part of Ilganeh Chai basin. Fourteen plots were established in sites with different land forms and geographical aspects. A number of site factors including altitude, geographical aspect and slope gradient as well as soil properties including soil texture, K, P, N, organic matter, CaCo3, pH and EC were recorded. Moreover, quantitative characteristic including diameter and height of trees were measured in each plot. Results indicated that the distribution range of Juniperus foetidissima varied between 610 and 1410 meter above sea level. Soil texture was loam, loam-clay and clay. Moreover, soil organic matter varies between 1.4 and 3.74 percent. Soil pH varied between 7.1 and 7.8, which indicates neutral to light alkaline soil. The tallest tree of 12 m height was measured on southeast and east slopes. Also the diameter of trees varied between 3.0 and 24.5 cm in different land forms and geographical aspects. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further grouped representative factors for physical and chemical soil characteristics. Therefore factors such as sand, clay and potassium content along axis 1, while pH, organic matter and phosphorus content were rather related to axis 2.