Selection of protected sites for management planning based on floristic and species diversity evaluation (Case study: Valuye Kiasar, Mazandaran)

Accelerated growth of human population as well as technological advancements has put a great pressure on biodiversity. The challenge of reducing biodiversity in the natural ecosystems of the planet is one of the major issues in the near future. In this research, the flora of Valuye, Kiasar were evaluated to select the main protected sites and also the effect of altitude and direction on plant diversity and richness. The sampling was carried out along 14 transects (50 m) with a total of 140 plots in two directions (north and south) and 3 altitudinal intervals (i.e. six ecological sites). Our findings presented 78 plant species from 20 families of which Poaceae family had the most frequency (23%) in the studied area. It was revealed that plant diversity and species richness are significantly affected by altitude and direction. The floristic results showed the highest species richness at 1800-2000m altitudinal interval. The Shannon index displayed the highest diversity at 1800-2000 and 2000-2200 m altitudinal intervals. The results showed that there is a significant difference (p < 0.05) between north and south directions based on Simpson, Gini-Simpson and species richness indices. High plant diversity and the presence of high number of vulnerable species in third site (2000-2200 m altitudinal interval and northern direction) indicated that this site could be as conservation priority. The southern sites at all altitudinal intervals (i.e. 1600-1800, 1800-2000 m and 2000-2200 m) were considered as restoration priority due to the low plant diversity and species richness.