Biogeomorphological Study of Marl Geological Formations with Emphasis on Vegetation (Case Study: Lamerd, Fars Province)

Vegetation cover establishment in marl geological formations due to some physical and chemical characteristics in most arid and semi-arid land associated with numerous limitations. For a proper understanding of the status of ecosystems, arid areas need to recognize the dynamic relationship between vegetation and geomorphology. This study included the relationship between land surface properties and morphometric characteristics of streams with distribution of vegetation in marl lands. In this study, according to the Hydrgeomorphic classification, streams morphometric properties and vegetation characteristics to evaluate the impact of morphometric characteristics on vegetation distribution along homogeneous waterways units were measured. Also vegetation cover, surface gravel density and the roughness of microtopography by linear transect was measured. Soil sample were taken and transferred to the laboratory for determination soil characteristics. Streams morphometric characteristics and land surfaces properties relationship with vegetation cover (%) were analyzed by statistical tests.The results showed that there is direct significant relationship between surface gravel density and vegetation cover in marl plain. The results showed that significant role of some channel plan characteristics on the vegetation cover (%) and distribution of different plant types. CCA analysis is not suitable to analyze the relationship between plant species and morphometric characteristics of streams in this area. In conclusion, our results showed that the role of surface gravel density and streams morphometric properties on vegetation cover (%) and distribution of vegetation type in marl geological formations, but the prediction of plant species distribution using CCA analysis, with emphasis on morphometric characteristics of streams in the study area is very difficult.