The Relationship between Plant Communities with Edaphic Conditions in Natural Forests of Middle Zagross (A Case Study in Manesht Region of Ilam Province)

The study and determination of vegetative elemens with similar ecological needs are important steps to identify the plant communities and to study the edaphic conditions of habitat in different plant communities. Accordingly, the present study deals with the plant communities and their relationships with edaphic conditions in Manesht forests of Ilam province. To this end, the Braunblanquet method was used and the vegetation data were analyzed with Pc- Ordwin software. After recognizing the plant communities and determining indicator and preferable species with the use of TWINSPAN and DCA analysis based on the maps of land form, land type and vegetations and overlaying of the above-mentioned maps, the locations of digging profiles were determined and the soil was sampled. Soil samples were analyzed chemically and physically and soil data were also analyzed. The results showed that there are three recognizable communities for this region, namely Amygdalo- Daphnetum Mucronata, Pistacio-Acertum Cinerascentis and Quercetum Brantii. With regards to edaphic conditions of the habitat in different plant communities, it can be concluded that Pistacio-Acertum cinerascentis and Quercetum Brantii communities are on the insepthisol soils and Amygdalo- Daphnetum Mucronata community exists on the enthisol soils. Based on the PCA analysis, the soils of Pistacio-Acertum Cinerascentis and Quercetum Brantii communities are more fertile than the soil of Amygdalo- Daphnetum Mucronata community. Also, in Quercetum Brantii community in Iran, the soil is lighter, more drained, and its depth is more.