A floristic study of the Sorkhankol Wildlife Refuge, Guilan province, Iran

Sorkhankol Wildlife Refuge with an area of 1209 ha is located in the central part of Anzali Wetland. In total, 81 species belonging to 35 families and 68 genera were surveyed and identified on the basis of a floristic study from July 2013 through June 2014. The largest families are Poaceae (11 taxa), Asteraceae (8 taxa) Apiaceae, Brassicaceae and Cyperacae (5 taxa). The dominant life forms were cryptophyte (43.21 %), followed by the therophytes (39.51 %), hemicryptophytes (13.58 %) and phanerophytes (3.7 %). From the chorological point of view, the largest proportion of the flora belongs to the pluriregional elements (44.44 %). A comparison between our study and other parts of the Anzali Wetland showed that Sorkhankol was not particularly species-rich. Currently, the major threats to the research area include eutrophication, pressure from boating and fishing activities, invasion of exotic species and other human induced disturbances.