An Investigation of Some Ecological Characteristic of Carex stenophylla Wahl

In order to select suitable cover for soil surface conservation in arid environments, considering criteria such as adaptability, canopy cover percentage, underground biomass and the amount of litter is of importance. Carex stenophylla Wahl. has features a lot in common with these criteria. The purpose of this essay is to introduce some of the ecological characteristics of this species. Accordingly, Bishezard rangeland in south of Fars province was selected as one of the sites of Ca. stenophylla habitat in south of Iran. The climatic trait and geology of the rangeland were recorded, Then chemical and physical properties of soil, vegetation type of site, vegetative variables of Ca. stenophylla and its companion plants were measured. Results showed that the appropriate growth condition for Ca. stenophylla was the altitude 1100-1300 meter A.S.L., mean annual rainfall 211 mm, mean annual temperature 17.32 ᵒC, and also warm and dry areas. The vegetation type of site included Artemisia sieberi Besser.and Helianthemum lippii(L.)pers. as dominant shrubs, with the presence of more than 37 plant species. Geologically, the site had Bakhtiari and Aghajari formation with sandy-clay soil texture. The maximum growth of this plant over a period of three months was about 12 cm and it also had clump spatial distribution pattern. This research also indicated that One of a unique properties of Ca. stenophylla was interwoven rhizome and fibrous root system expanding to depth of 10-15 cm. This trait can properly conserve soil surface and prevent soil erosion.