The Effect of Altitude and Aspect on Rangeland Plant Diversity (Case Study: Dashte Zahab, Kermanshah, Iran)

Recognizing the herbaceous plant species diversity could use as an importantindicator applied for the rangeland and forests management. Considering the presence ofvegetation and animal husbandry in Zagros region, Iran, being aware of the diversity andrichness of plant species is necessary to management or the destructed vegetationrestoration. In order to study the effect of aspect and elevation on species diversity ofherbaceous plants 160 four m2 quadrates were sampled via transect method in the Dasht eZahab in Kermanshah, Iran. In each quadrate a list herbaceous species plants, altitude andaspect were recorded. After the inventory, the plant diversity indices were calculated andcompared in three elevation classes (low: 1200 m) and four aspect classes (North, South, East and West) using Shannon-Wienerdiversity and Margalef richness indices. One-way ANOVA was used to investigate theeffect of independent variables (altitude and aspects) on dependent variable (speciesdiversity and richness). The results showed a significant effect of aspect and altitude on thediversity and richness of herbaceous plants (P