Assessing the vegetation diversity of different oak types in relation with soil characteristics in the forests of north Zagros (Case study: Armardeh Baneh)

Considering the importance of the forests of North Zagros in terms of conservation, economic-social and regeneration, this research aims to identify the composition and diversity of herbaceous species in different oak types located in Armardeh forests in Baneh city and the relationship between the herbaceous cover with edaphic conditions. Forest types were identified with field inspection. In each type, 5 samples of 500 square meters were randomly collected to collect trees and 5 soil samples were taken from each types to a depth of 10 cm. Also, a small sample of one square meter was randomly used for herbaceous species. The biological form of the species was obtained using the Raunkiaer method, the chorotypes according to were obtained to Zohary method, and the biological diversity was obtained using plant diversity indices, then the relationship and ordination of the vegetation with edaphic variables were investigated with detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The results showed that Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae families have the highest number of plant species respectively. Trophies and hemicryptophytes had the highest percentages, respectively, and the most important chorotypes of the region were the vegetative elements of (Iranian-Turan). The results of variance analysis, Pearson's correlation and vegetation ordination showed that the separation of vegetation types, species distribution in North Zagros was mainly influenced by soil texture, sodium, organic matter, potassium and phosphorus. According to the findings of this research, it can be acknowledged that due to the widespread of Zagros forests, attention to forest types and soil can represent the changes in the vegetation cover and be considered in the management of these forests.