Ecological Properties of Tamarix Habitats in Sistan Plain, Iran

The purpose of the present research was to study the properties of natural habitats and growth status of the genus Tamarix in Miankangi, Sistan Province, South-eastern Iran. Selective sampling was used to examine the natural stands structure. Then, the one ha-rectangular sample plots were stablished in the stands and surrounding bare lands as control plots. Quantitative variables of stands viz. collar diameter, total height, canopy surface and density in the plots were recorded. In each plot, the soil sampling was carried out from 0-30 and 31-60 cm depths, and some physicochemical parameters of the soil including soil texture, pH, EC, SP, OC, total N, available P, K, Na, Ca and Mg were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The Duncan''s test was used to compare the means. The soil texture of the region was loamy-silty and clay-sandy-loamy. The soil of Tamarix habitats was saline and alkaline. The results showed that the growth variables were different among the habitats. In addition, the soil clay and silt, pH, potassium and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) were significantly different among the habitats and the control. Correlation between vegetation and soil properties also showed that the diameter of Tamarix trees had positively correlated with the soil SP at also the first depth and with the clay viriable at the second depth.