Annals of Biological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Saeid Shabani , Moslem Akbarinia, Gholam Ali Jalali
The role of disturbance in the structure and dynamics of ecological systems is an essential issue
in ecology. The purpose of this research was to comparison of soil characteristics in forest gaps
with several size and relation to plant species biodiversity in Lalis forests, Chalous. In order to
investigate factors, three gap size small gap (200 m2), medium gap (400 m2), and large gap (600
m2) with three replicate were selected in locate. During the late summer 2008, mineral soil
samples (0Ã?¢Ã?â?¬Ã?â??30 cm depth) were collected from four different places in each gap, all over the gap
area randomly. Nine circular subplots of 3.14 m2 (100 cm radius) were established inside each
gap. Subplots were positioned one in the central part of the gap and the others along the
cardinal directions. The percent of vegetation cover every wood species was estimated in each
subplot and in the whole gap. Some of soil characteristics, such as total carbon, total nitrogen,
available phosphorous, soil acidity (pH), C/N ratio, and saturation moisture were measured. By
using analysis of variance statistical difference between Soil characteristics in respect to gap
size were found. Results showed that the highest carbon and C/N ratio is related to small gaps.
The highest of nitrogen, phosphorous, pH, and moisture characteristics are related to large
gaps, too. Determination of relation between plane cover biodiversity and soil characteristics
were accomplished by correlation. Similar to results, by using correlation statistical difference
between diversity indices with soil characteristics was found. With thicken of soil characteristics
consist of nitrogen, phosphorous, pH, and moisture increased diversity species (Simpson) and
richness species (Margalef) indices. On the contrary, with wane of carbon and C/N ratio
increased Simpson and Margalef indices.
