The Effect of Physiographic and Edaphic Factors on the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Juniper Trees

Abstract

To investigate the effect of environmental characteristics of slope, and slope and soil aspect on the quantitative status of Juniper forest standin Chalghofaforest reserve, maps of this characteristic were prepared and after combining them, homogeneous units were identified. 100% inventory or full calipering sampling method was used for sampling. Measurement parameters included diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, canopy length, canopy surface and gender of rootstocks. Samples of topsoil were collected in the whole area and the physical and chemical properties of the soil were analyzed. The results showed that in low slopes these vegetative characteristics are less than more sloping areas. The lowest and highest vegetation parameters are related to the eastern and western aspects, respectively. The ratio of male to female rootstocks in the slope class of 15-30% is significantly different from the slope class of 30-60% and the ratio of male to female rootstocks in the northern aspect is statistically different from the other three aspects. In combining the slope map of 15-30% with the aspects, it was found that the number of juniper rootstocks is morein the western aspect and also the vegetative parameters in the western aspect are significantly different from the southern aspect. In combining the slope map of 30-60% with the aspects, despite the greater number of juniper rootstocks in the western slope aspect, the vegetative parameters in the northern aspect are significantly different from the other three aspects. Soil parameters in the aspect of the western slope are better than the other three aspects.