Study of Spatial Pattern of Indicator Plant Species in Ecological Species Groups (Case Study: Manesht Protected Area, Ilam Province)

The key factor in understanding the forest ecosystems is forest structure. Spatial arrangement and location of trees are both one of the main components of forest stand structure. This study was carried out in Manesht protected area, Ilam province. In order to determine the ecological groups and spatial patterns of indicator species, we used fixed-area plots method. For data collection, 125 square sampling plots with an area of 400 m2 were selected based on a systematically random method. The plants were classified using TWINSPAN analysis and then spatial pattern was analyzed by indices of ratio of average to variance, Morisata and standardized Morisata. Four ecological groups were specified and all dispersion indices showed clumped pattern for indicator species of the ecological groups. The results of this study could provide useful information to describe the sustainability of this valuable ecosystem and monitoring protective and rehabilitative practices.