Effect of afforestation with broad leaved and conifer species on herbaceous diversity and some physico-chemical properties of soil (Case study: Dushan afforestation - Sanandaj)

Plantation forests can influence both plant diversity and soil properties. This study mainly aims to determine and compare the status of plant diversity of ground flora andsome physico-chemical properties of soil under influencing of plantation with conifer and broad leaved species. Three sites (conifer, broad leaved and non-planted site as control) were selected in Sanandaj (Dushan region). These sites were physiographically and climatically similar. Systematic random sampling was used as a method for data collection. To study quantitative characteristics of stands, 20 quadrate sample plots with 400m2 area were selected in each site (60 plots totally). In order to determine the herbal species and their coverage percent, each plot was divided into 4 sections and a microplot (1.5m×1.5m) was selected in each section. To study the physico-chemical properties of soil influenced by planted species, 3 soil samples were selected in the center of each plot in depth of 0 to 20cm and the soils were mixed with each other to obtain mixed soil samples. The data was analyzed using complete randomized design. Results showed that the plant diversity and frequency on ground flora under influence of plantation with broad leaved species was maximum, while the evenness index was minimum. There was significant difference among all sites regarding to porosity, however there was no difference among the sites from view point of other physical parameters. Moreover, there were significantly differences between most chemical parameters of soil in three studied sites.