studying functional traits of grey almond in relation toenvironmental variables

Prunus eburnea (Spach) Aitch. & Hemsl. (grey almond) is an endemic and medicinal plant species distributed in limestone soils in Iran. This large-scale study presents environmental correlates of plant (growth) traits and population trait (density) and response trait (fruit production) for grey almond with geography and soil properties. Basic soil physical and chemical variables completed by topographic and geographic data were used to explain how plant traits (including population density) of grey almond vary in a range of semi-arid to arid habitats. For this purpose, plant functional and response traits (height, canopy width, leaf size and weight, fruit size and maturity) and population traits (abundance, density and coverage area) registered, soil samples collected and topography features recorded from ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۱۷. Rhizosphere soil Ec, pH and texture were determined at the laboratory. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and canonical discriminant functions were applied on the environmental and plant data. Based on the results, it is concluded that growth (functional trait), rate of fruit maturity and seed production (response trait) and occurrence of P. eburnea (response or effect trait) are strongly correlated with edaphic (soil texture, salinity and pH), topography (elevation) and geography (latitude and climate) variables, respectively. In order to better conservation of this species, propose proper monitoring, enforcing stricter conservation regulations and employing restoration schemes, such as propagation via seedlings and erecting fences around vulnerable habitats.

Keywords:

Prunus eburnea (Spach) Aitch. & Hemsl. , functional traits , Endemic , Physiogeographic.