The impact of invasive species Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. on vegetation characteristics of Fandoghlou rangelands in Namin county, Ardabil , Iran

Presence of invasive species on rangelands is a degradation sign. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of invasive species Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. on the structural and functional characteristics of Fandoghlou rangelands in the Namin county of Ardabil province. The model used for sampling was the stratified random systematic. Two main sites with the presence and absence of L. vulgare were selected to study the flora, vegetation characteristics, and species composition and diversity. Independent t tests was used for comparison of data related to the vegetation, diversity and evenness in both sites. The results showed that totally there is 80 species, nine of them in sites with the presence of L. vulgare and 19 species with the absence of L. vulgare. Also 52  species were found in both sites. Canopy cover and production of forbs, density and canopy cover of grasses and also density and total plant production between the sites were significantly different (P<0.01). According to the results, diversity indicators between the sites were also significantly different (P<0.05), but richness and evenness indicators of both sites did not show any significant differences. Result of the study suggests to find suitable methods such as planting of rangeland species and reduction of grazing pressure to control, to tackle the problem of L. vulga invasion on the Fandoghlou rangelands.