Site Demands of Sumac (Rhus coriaria) in Order to Conserve it in Somaqloo Forest Reserve of Shazand County

This study was conducted to identify the site demands of Rhus coriaria whit the aim of conservation, rehabilitation and development in Sumac Forest reserve area in Shazand city from Markazi province. For this purpose, 14 square-shaped sample plots were established by random-systematic sampling method with a grid size of 200×300 meters. Quantitative characteristics such as the height, mean Tree Crown Diameter and Mean collar diameter of the thickest tree in addition to ecological characteristics were recorded in each plot. To study the physicochemical properties of soil (such as texture, electrical conductivity, pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), 28 samples were taken at two depths of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to determine the relationship between site conditions and soil properties whit ecological characteristics of R. coriaria. Kruskal - wallis test was used to compare the effect of geographical aspects on the height and crown diameter. The results showed a significant effect of geographical aspect on height and crown diameter. The largest crown diameter (100.25cm) and the maximum height (112.30cm) were observed in the northern aspect. The results of CCA analysis for vegetation and first soil depth were able to appropriately distinguished R. coriaria plots from others and showed that R. coriaria site had the most positive relationship with soil pH (44%). Also, the results of CCA analysis for vegetation and second depth of soil showed that R. coriaria site had the most positive correlation with soil EC and Potassium (60% and57%, respectively). In general, the results showed that the sample plots containing R. coriaria had higher pH, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, organic matter, silt and electrical conductivity. Since that, having knowledge of specific characteristics of each habitat (site) is necessary for the regeneration and development strategies, according to the obtained results, it is suggested that soil fertility be strengthened in the central core of this forest reserve.