Investigation of species diversity in medicinal plants of Asadli-Pelmiss summer rangelands in North Khorasan province

Species diversity conservation is a main objective in rangelands management. In ecosystem management, the first step is to determine the factors influencing the distribution of species and species diversity, knowing that species diversity is correlated with ecosystem parameters. By measuring the diversity, distribution of species in the environment can be studied with an emphasis on the dynamics of ecosystems and proper management recommendations can be presented.
In this study, 90 plots (1 m2) were established in the study area in a systematic-randomized manner. Presence and cover percent were determined within each plot.Also identification of medicinal plants, belonging to genus and family, was performed and biological type,life form and growth form were determined. Shannon and McIntosh diversity indices were used to estimate the species diversity of medicinal plants in taxonomic, life form, biological type and growth form levels.
The results showed that the species diversity of Asadli-Pelmiss rangelands could be considered as moderate, and the vegetation of the study area was mostly of perennial plants species which is a characteristic of mountainous areas with cold climate in altitudes.