The Hyrcanian Submountain Forests Vegetation (Case Study: Tuli-Nesa Forest, Gilan)

Abstract

Although Hyrcanian forests have a predominant vegetation pattern, due to habitat fragmentation, floristic changes are clearly observed. Therefore, it is necessary to study all parts of this genetic reserve and provide complete information on optimal forest management. Tuli-Nesa sub-mountain forest, which has been selected as the re-introduction and protection area of Maral is located in the Talesh Mountain highlands. In this floristic study, 151 species of vascular plants belonging to 120 genera and 54 families were identified, of which 15 species were regarded as rare and endemic. The largest families were Rosaceae and Poaceae and the most diverse genera were included Trifolium and Carex. The chorological analysis showed that the most extended chorotype with 33% was related to the Euro-Siberian elements. In assessing the life form spectrum, the dominant life forms were Hemicryptophytes (48%). In this study, vegetation types were determined by physiognomic-ecological and floristic methods. In this forest form, two types of tree layers and four types of herb layers were identified. Dominant species with the associate species were provided, and the plant types were represented in the distribution map.