Species Diversity and Life-Form Patterns in Steppe Vegetation along a 3000 m Altitudinal Gradient in the Alborz Mountains, Iran

Mahdavi, Parastoo; Akhani, Hossein; Maarel, Eddy van der

doi:10.1007/s12224-012-9133-1

Cited by 57 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Only four tree species were observed and only Birch tree presented its considerable clump in the sub alpine areas. The short vegetation season and low precipitation could also be corelated with less tree number in the study area these outcomes agreed with the outcomes of Mahdavi et al, (2013) carried out in the Alborz Mountains, Iran where they reported very few phanerophytes (0.7%). These results were also supported by the conclusions of Qiong et al, (2010) in Gyama valley reporting single tree species in Tibetan Plateau.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Diversity, ecological feature and conservation of a high montane flora of the Shigar valley (Karakorum range) Baltistan region, northern Pakistan

Abbas¹,

Alam²,

Khan³

et al. 2019

PAK.J.BOT.

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This paper presents the results of exploratory investigation on the flora of the Shigar valley, Central Karakorum Mountains, conducted in 2013-2016. The studies completed with the documentation of 345 vascular plants distributed in 206 genera and 63 families with maximum species of flowering plants. Asteraceae and Saussurea were leading taxa in terms of family and genera respectively. Arid mountain slopes was main habitat type sharing maximum species (84) in the native flora. Generally, the sum of species exposed herbaceous habit (301 species) with prevalence of perennial herbs (220 species). Life form grouping revealed the excessive occurrence of Hemicryptophytes (139 species). Distribution wise, the Irano-Turanian elements (35.36%) were the most frequent species co-dominating with Western Himalayan elements (28.69%). Some endemic and critically endangered species for instance Festuca hartmannii, Aconitum violaceum var. weilerei, Anaphalis chitralensis, Asperula oppositifolia subsp. baltistanica, Pedicularis staintonii, Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. karakoramica, and Hedysarum falconeri are also recognized. The flora is under extreme natural and human hazards and emphasizes the involvement of international and national organizations dedicated to biological conservation for effective protection of flora particularly the rare and endemic taxa.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Diversity, ecological feature and conservation of a high montane flora of the Shigar valley (Karakorum range) Baltistan region, northern Pakistan

Abbas¹,

Alam²,

Khan³

et al. 2019

PAK.J.BOT.

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“…Herb richness often peaks at mid-elevations, similar to the richness trends of both trees and shrubs; however, the mechanisms underlying herb richness are more complex (Tang & Fang, 2004) and vary among climatic regimes. For example, herb richness often peaks at mid-elevations in arid systems (Mahdavi, Akhani, & Van der Maarel, 2013;Sang, 2009;Whittaker, 1960), which can be explained by water limitation. While studies in trophic systems have found that herb richness declines with elevation (Vázquez & Givnish, 1998) or does not show significant patterns along elevational gradients (Willinghöfer et al, 2012); these patterns have been hypothesized to result from primary productivity or local history.…”

Section: Comparison Of Elevational Patterns Of Herb Richness Worldwidementioning

confidence: 99%

A trait‐based approach reveals the importance of biotic filter for elevational herb richness pattern

Jiang

Liu

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim To evaluate how a biotic filter (overstorey cover [OC]) shapes an elevational herb richness pattern and to test whether intermediate elevations represent more suitable habitats for herb species due to the minimal biotic and moderate abiotic filtering that occured there. Location Dongling Mountain, China. Taxon Herbs. Methods We sampled herb richness along a 1,000‐m vertical transect (OC and elevation covary) and four horizontal transects (across the OC gradient with no change in elevation). Functional traits related to shade (leaf mass per area [LMA] and leaf stem ratio [LSR]) and freezing tolerance (leaf thickness [LT] and hair density [HD]) were collected based on vegetation sampling plots. We divided the richness data into below‐ and above‐timberline groups and then assessed the most important driver for each group. By estimating the variations in species richness and functional diversity along horizontal transects, we examined how these parameters responded to OC while controlling for associated differences in elevation. Results Herb richness showed a unimodal relationship with elevation, with a peak around the timberline. Below the timberline, herb richness was better predicted by OC and showed a positive relationship with the functional diversity of LMA and LSR. The frost period performed better in predicting herb richness above the timberline, and herb richness was positively related to the functional diversity of HD. Main conclusions The results support our hypothesis and highlight the importance of OC in shaping herb richness patterns. Below the timberline, OC acts as a filter, sorting species based on their ability to tolerate shade, whereas the frost period limits richness above the timberline and favours species that can tolerate low temperatures. Therefore, we suggest that biotic interactions, as well as environmental and geographical factors, should be considered the main drivers of elevational plant richness patterns.

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“…Therefore, mountains are extraordinary rich in habitats and species (Host andPregitzer 1991, Witte 2002). Elevational gradients commonly separate vegetation zones (Klimeš 2003) and their species composition (Kessler 2001, Dolezal and Srutek 2002, Bruun et al 2006, Naqinezhad et al 2009, Akhani et al 2013, Mahdavi et al 2013. Patterns of life form also change with elevation (Bhattarai and Vetaas 2003, Klimeš 2003, Naqinezhad et al 2009).…”

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confidence: 99%

Elevational gradient and vegetation‐environmental relationships in the central Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran

Moradi

Naqinezhad

Siadati

et al. 2016

Nordic Journal of Botany

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Tertiary‐relict Hyrcanian (Caspian) forest along the shores of the southern Caspian Sea is a center of biodiversity. Still, there is little information on plant diversity patterns in this area. This study evaluated plant diversity, variation in life forms, and geographical distribution of the zonal vegetation types and their relationships with environmental variables, in the educational and experimental forest of Kheyrudkenar, an important protected area in the central Hyrcanian forest of northern Iran. For this purpose, 226 vegetation plots of 400 m2 were laid out along two altitudinal transects from the lowlands (100 m a.s.l.) to the timberline (2000 m a.s.l.). Four vegetation types were identified using modified TWINSPAN, indirect and direct gradient analyses. Species‐related (species diversity indices, life form and phytogeographical elements) and environmental variables (climate, topographic and soil variables) were calculated and subjected to one‐way ANOVA among the vegetation types. Both constrained (CCA) and unconstrained (DCA) ordination analyses showed an almost identical variation of the floristic composition along their axes and demonstrated that there are two main gradients in the Hyrcanian forest. Elevation together with annual precipitation and mean annual temperature were the most important factors controlling the floristic composition in the area. Topographic features such as slope inclination and heat index were found to be important within an elevation zone/vegetation type. Soil physical and chemical properties were of secondary importance for the separation of the vegetation types. This knowledge will be useful for forest management and conservation practices in the Hyrcanian area with its distinct and unique flora and vegetation.

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Species Diversity and Life-Form Patterns in Steppe Vegetation along a 3000 m Altitudinal Gradient in the Alborz Mountains, Iran

Cited by 57 publications

References 34 publications

Diversity, ecological feature and conservation of a high montane flora of the Shigar valley (Karakorum range) Baltistan region, northern Pakistan

Diversity, ecological feature and conservation of a high montane flora of the Shigar valley (Karakorum range) Baltistan region, northern Pakistan

A trait‐based approach reveals the importance of biotic filter for elevational herb richness pattern

Elevational gradient and vegetation‐environmental relationships in the central Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran

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