A Study of Plant Associations and Vegetation Mapping, Bagheshad Region, Iran

Bagheshad is a part of Khojir national park with an area of 2310 hectares. It is located 22 kilometers east of Tehran, south of Haraz Highway. Its geographical position is 35? 36? 41? to 35? 39? 33? N, and 51? 40? 29? to 51? 46? 22?E. In this research the vegetation cover of Bagheshad region was studied based on Braun-Blanquet method. Main and minor plant combinations were determined based on physionomic factors, and then in each, association units were differentiated on the basis of floristic and ecological factors. Area of plot in association units was found using minimal area method. Finally a number of 85 plots were gathered in the whole region. Information recorded in each plot included abundance – dominance and sociability of plant spices. The phytosociologic data were analyzed through ordination and classification methods using Anaphyto Software. Because of existence of different association units in the region partial analysis was done following primary analysis. Then table of plant associations was made using conclusion resulted from analyses of plots and plant species. Finally a number of 9 plant associations and 6 plant sub- associations were distinguished in the area. Map of plant associations was prepared after determining boundaries of plant associations using Arcview ver 3.1 software.