Assessment of the Biodiversity of Agricultural Products in Mazandaran Province -Assessment of the Biodiversity of Agricultural Products in Mazandaran Province

This study was conducted to evaluate the biodiversity of crops and horticultural products in Mazandaran province.

The required data include the area under cultivation of the most important crops and the most important horticultural plants for 19 cities of Mazandaran province in 1998-2014 were extracted through statistical yearbook of the Ministry of agricultural jihad and a face-to-face interview with experts and managers of agricultural jihad. Berger-Parker, Shannon, Margalof, Manhink, Simpson and uniformity indexes were calculated using the relevant equations.

Among crops, the highest Margalof index was observed in Behshahr, Ramsar and Sari counties with values of 1.30, 1.27 and 1.13, respectively and the lowest was in Mahmudabad, Tonekabon and Nowshahr with values of 0.35, 0.48 and 0.64, respectively. Among horticultural products, the highest Margalof index was observed in Mahmudabad, Chalos and Behshahr with values of 3.60, 3.35 and 3.25, respectively and the lowest was observed in Tonekabon, Joybar and Miandorud with values of 2.15, 2.23 and 2.61, respectively. Among crops, the highest simpson index was observed in Miandorud, Neka and Sari with values of 0.76, 0.73 and 0.72, respectively.

The diversity of agricultural products in Mazandaran province has decreased during the statistical period. In most cities, rice, wheat and barley were the most cultivated crops. By creating appropriate infrastructure, training of farmers and encouraging them to produce various agricultural products, it is possible to provide the necessary conditions for the use of unparalleled biodiversity services in the agricultural ecosystems.