Distribution of Zygophyllum shrub species in the central and southern regions of Iran

Any planning of rangeland ecosystem management requires basic information in these areas. The basic information is to determine the distribution of indicator species and to introduce their habitat characteristics. In this regard, the habitats of Zygophyllum species in the central and southern regions of the country were considered. The vegetation of habitats, climatic, soil and topographic characteristics of these areas were presented. Based on the results, the shrub species with the scientific names of Zygophyllumatriplicoides and Z. eurypterum, which were considered as synonymous in some references, are the most abundant species of Zygophyllum in Iran. They cover an area of 15.8 million hectares of desert areas and steppe rangelands, forming 9.5% of the whole area. Zygophyllum species are most common in habitats with an average annual rainfall of 69 to 167 mm and a temperature range of 13 to 23.5 0C, which have a very dry to dry climate. The Zygophyllum habitats are mostly spread in weak alkaline and calcareous soils, marl gypsum formations, sand dunes, poor soils in terms of nitrogen and organic matter, and to a limited extent in saline soils. In general, habitat characteristics indicate that Zygophyllum species have a wide ecological range and are highly adaptable to grow in a variety of soils and different climatic zones and topography. The presented information has a significant contribution in rangeland studies and location of rangeland improvement operations in the habitats distribution range of Zygophyllum in the central and southern regions of the country.