Floristic composition, life forms and geographical distribution (Case study: Lashgardar rangelands of malayer, Iran)

Abstract

Arid and semi-arid areas are very important and one of the most representatives ecosystems and deserve a high priority for conservation. Floristic composition of this area is poorly described while they are under severing threat of degradation. Species compositions were studied through 16000 ha of Lashgardar pastures of Hamadan province. The average rainfall is 364/8 mm yearG1, the altitude is 2339 m and the climate is semi-arid or arid and cold. In total 81 species belong to 19 families within 64 genes were identified. The most spacious family were Asteraceae (25 species, 32%), followed by Fabaceae (9 species, 12%), Apiaceae (8 species, 10%), Lamiaceae (6 species, 7%), Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae and Rosaceae (4 species, 5%), Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae and Euphorbiaceae (3 species, 4%), Alliaceae, Dipsacaceae and Runanculaceae (2 species, 2%) and Amaryllidaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cistaceae, Frankeniaceae, Papaveraceae and Schorophulariaceae (1 species, 1%). Hemicryptophytes with 53% (43 species) showed the highest life form followed by therophyte 30% (24 species), geophyte and chamaephytes 6% (5 species) and phanerophyte 5% (4 species). Irano-Turanian was the most dominant 59% (48 species) chorotypes. It can be concluded that the research area is located in Irano-Turanian region.