Abstract

Khalatbari Jafari, Ali Niyaki, Mehdi Kazemi, Fallahi Salimi and Abbas Maleki

In this study a number of ten 4-square-meter plots with 15 m. spacing on three 150-meter-long transects were
systematically randomized in each key areas within each habitats. Characteristics such as total canopy cover,
canopy cover of target species and percentage of sand and gravel on the soil surface were measured. Three
mixed soil samples from the locations beginning, middle, and end of each transect were collected to determine
soil properties. Physiographic and climate factors of each selected site were determined. Independent sample
T-test, Analysis of Variance and Discriminant Analyses were used as statistical analyses methods. The results
showed that all variables in the presence and absence places of F.gummosa have significant differences
(p≤0.01). Results of discriminant analysis suggested that the quantity of electrical conductivity, acidity, organic
carbon, potassium, phosphorus and percentage of sand and silt, the percentage of stone and gravel on the soil
surface, amount of slope, geographical aspects, altitude, annual precipitation and environmental temperature in
the presence or absence of F.gummosa species were effective. Our study results indicated that the variables of
the total neutralizing value and geographical aspects were considered as the most effective factors in
distributing the studied species.