PLANT ASSOCIATIONS IN MIANKALEH BIOSPHERE RESERVE, MAZANDARAN PROVINCE (N. IRAN)

The Miankaleh Biosphere Reserve with a surface area of ۶۸۸۰۰ hectares is located in ۱۲ km N of Behshahr (MazandaranProvince, N. Iran) between ۵۳˚ ۳۵' - ۵۴˚ ۲' eastern longitude and ۳۶˚ ۴۵' - ۳۶˚ ۵۵' northern latitude. The vegetation of MiankalehPeninsula was studied, using the Braun-Blanquet (Zygmatist) method. Based on the analysis of phytosociological data using the Anaphyto software and AFC and CAH methods ۲۶ associations were recognized. The following associations occupy the large part of the area: Punicetum granati, Junco maritimi - Rubetum sancti, Juncetum littoralis and Salicornietum europaea. The distribution of plant associations in the Miankaleh area is mainly influenced by the soil chemical factors including EC, Na+, Ca۲+, Mg۲+, Cl‾, HCO۳‾, SO۴۲‾ and water table.

Keywords:

Phytosociology , Braun-Blanquet , Miankaleh biosphere reserve , Mazandaran , Iran