Study of flora, life form and chorology of plants in Qom province, Iran

Qom province with the surface area of ۱۱۵۲۶ km۲ lies between ۳۴˚۸́ ۳۵˚۱۱́ N and ۵۰˚۴́ ۵۱˚۵۹́ E is located in Iran. According to the Global Bioclimatic Classification System (GBC), Qom province characterized by a Mediterranean climate and of xeric and desertic continental sub-climates. A checklist was prepared to outline the species richness of the studied area, including ۸۴۱ plant species representing ۳۸۵ genera and ۸۱ families. ۱۰۹ species were also reported for the first time, which were not previously reported from this province in botanical sources and studies. Angiosperms are represented by ۷۳۴ and ۱۰۰, Eudicots and Monocots, respectively. The prominent families are Asteraceae with, ۱۱۷ and Fabaceae with, ۸۷ species. Richest genera fall into Astragalus (۵۹), Salsola (۱۶) and Cousinia (۱۵). However, ۵۱.۸% of the families are monogene۰ric, while ۵۹.۵% of the monogeneric families are monospecific. Therophyte (۳۷.۹%) and hemicryptophyte (۳۵.۱%) are dominant life form spectra in the studied area. Results also indicate the Irano-Turanian species (۶۰.۲%) are the main chorological elements of Qom province. Of all studied species, nearly ۶۳ (۷.۵%) belong to Iranian endemics. The main vegetation types found in Qom province include semi-desert Artemisia steppe, thorn-cushion mountain steppe, open shrublands, cliff vegetation, marl and gypsophilous vegetation, halophytic vegetation, psammophyte vegetation, aquatic and riverine communities, as well as invasive and ruderal communities. By using species richness analysis in ۰.۱-degree grids, Veshnaveh and Palang Darre were identified as the richest areas of Qom province.

Keywords:

Chorology , Endemic , Life Form , Qom , Species richness , Vegetation