PHYTOLOGIA BALCANICA 18 (1): 59 – 68, Sofia, 2012 59 Flora and vegetation of Golestanak (Alborz Mts), Iran Reza Naderi1, Mohammad Reza Rahiminejad1, Bahman Eslami2 & Saeed Afsharzadeh1 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441 Isfahan, Iran, e-mails: rezanaderia@yahoo.com; mrr@sci.ui.ac.ir; s.afshar@biol.ui.ac.ir (corresponding author) 2 Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran, e-mail: bejadidi@gmail.com Received: September 09, 2011 Accepted: March 02, 2012 Abstract. This study deals with the floristic and vegetation investigations of Golestanak Protected Area, an ecotone with nearly 1800 ha area located between the timberline and subalpine-alpine zone in the central part of the Alborz Mountain Range (Mazandaran Province). A total of 172 taxa, belonging to 39 families and 126 genera were identified, including 138 dicotyledones (99 genera) and 32 monocotyledones (25 genera). Based on a system of sixty sample plots taken randomly along five transects and using Sørensen’s distance measure (Index BC=Bray and Curtis) and Ward’s group linkage methods in a cluster analysis, nine plant communities were identified. Key words: Alborz, cluster analysis, Golestanak, Iran, plant community, vegetation Introduction Iran is a mountainous country and four-fifths of its surface lies at altitudes above 1000 m (Zohary 1973). It is situated among three main phytochoria, including the Euro-Siberian (Boreal), Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian, or Saharo-Arabian, and is influenced by the introgression of Somalian-Masaei and Mediterranean species (Jafari & Akhani 2008). The Euro-Siberian region extends to the northern parts of Iran via the Caucasian-Euxino-Hyrcanian Province. The Hyrcanian district includes the South Caspian coastal plain and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mts, up to altitudes of 2500 m (Frey & Probst 1986). The northern slopes of these ridges are dominated by a humid-temperate to warm-temperate climate (at lower altitudes); the southern slopes have a dry steppe climate. The Alborz Mts with the volcanic summit of Dama- vand (5670 m) stretch over an area 650 km long and 150–500 km wide. Many studies of the flora and vegetation ecology of the Alborz Mts have been carried out in this area (e.g. Kotschy 1861; Gilli 1939; Klein 1984, 2001; Nazarian & al. 2004; Naqinezhad & al. 2009, 2010; Noroozi & al. 2010). Klein (1982) described the chionophilous vegetation units of the central Alborz Mts. Five phytosociological units have been distinguished: Oxytropidetea persicae, Trachydietalia depressae, Catabroselletalia parviflora, Jurinelletum frigidae, and Erigeronetum elbursensis (Klein 1982). Noroozi & al. (2008) described a number of plant communities and habitats in this area: the Prangos uloptera and Onobrychis cornuta communities, rocky habitats of subalpine-alpine areas, high alpine xerophytic areas, alpine meadow communities, and scree habitats. The three main vegetation types (based on Frey & Prob- 60 Naderi & al. • Flora and vegetation of Golestanak, Iran st 1986) which can be distinguished in the study area are forb vegetation, grasslands with thorn-cushions and plant formations of the alpine zone. Lack of any floristic or vegetation information regarding the Golestanak Protected Area explains the selection of that area for this study. Notably the timberline lies lower, between 2300 m and 2600 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1). Study area Situation and delimitation The Golestanak Protected Area is located in the central part of the Alborz Mountain Range (Mazandaran Province), between 36°14'–36°16' N and 51°24'–51°26' E. The area covers 1800 hectares, including the northern and southern slopes of the Shamjar Small Mountain. It is a transitional zone between the timberline and the subalpine-alpine zone, between 3000 and 4000 m a.s.l., with the highest and lowest points ranging from 2300 m to 3935 m a.s.l. Climate and vegetation In most parts of the Alborz Mts precipitation is directly connected to altitude. However, over the northern slopes of the Alborz Mts the influence of the moist Hyrcanian climate weakens above the timberline, where precipitation decreases at higher altitudes. The summer is arid, hot and sunny, with intensive sun radiation most of the time. As any meteorological data were lacking from the area under study, the climatic parameters were estimated from data provided by the nearest meteorological station to it (Siahbisheh Station, 20 km away from the study area, at 1855 m a.s.l.). The annual mean temperature is 10.5 °C, with an annual average maximum of 14.8 °C and minimum of 6.3 °C. The lowest temperature reported is minus 14.6 °C in January (2001) and the highest temperature recorded is 34 °C in August (2000). 1 km N 2300 m Golestanak By way Spring 3935 m Transect Shamjar mountain 36° 15´ IRAN 51° 25´ Fig. 1. The topographic map of the study area. Phytol. Balcan. 18(1) • Sofia • 2012 Material and methods Flora Floristic explorations and collections were made during the period 2006–2008. Specimens were collected according to the traditional taxonomic methods. The specimens are stored at the Herbarium of the University of Isfahan (HUI), Biology Department. Delimitations and distributional data were mainly based on Flora Iranica (Rechinger 1963–2005) and Flora of Iran (Assadi & al. 1988–2003), and on other related references, depending on the studied taxa (Davis 1965–1985; Tutin & al. 1964–1980; Townsend & al. 1966–1985). Life form definitions were based on Raunkiaer’s classification (Raunkiaer 1934). The specimens are presented in the Appendix. Vegetation Systematic random sampling was used for vegetation description. Sixty sample plots (S1–S60) were set in five transects, with every point having an equal chance of being chosen in each transect (Table 1). Selection of the sampling design was discussed by many authors (e.g. Kenkel & al. 1989; Legendre & Fortin 1989; Fortin & al. 1989; Legendre & al. 2002; Dungan & al. 2002; Hirzel & Guisan 2002). Whereas the study area showed rapid changes in vegetation and floristic composition, transects were set up along the altitude gradients, starting from lower altitudes towards the summit of Mt Shamjar (2300–3935 m a.s.l.). Sample plot size is very important and varies from one type of vegetation to another (Kent & Coker 1992). Hence, on the basis of the concept of minimal area and species-area curves (Cain & Castro 1959), three different sample plot sizes were used; 10×6 m (northern slopes), 9×4 m (southern, eastern and western slopes) and 2.5×2.5 m (around springs and rivulets). The sample plots were located and mapped using GPS equipment to ensure a high degree of accuracy. The percentage of foliar cover for each vascular plant species was estimated on the Braun-Blanquet scale (Braun-Blanquet 1964). Cluster analysis (CA) performed with PC-ORD (V. 4.17) software (McCune & Mefford 1999) was applied to assess the plant communities. Some researchers have used PC-ORD software for the investigation of vegetation (Sperduto & Cogbill 1999; Willoughby 2001; Kimball & al. 2004; Dulamsuren & al. 2005; Oswalt & al. 2006). A species matrix including species cover data was 61 constructed (1: <1 %, 2: 1–5 %, 3: 6–25 %, 4: 26–50 %, 5: 51–75 % and 6: 76–100 %). To determine the relationship between sample plots, clustering was applied using Sørensen’s distance measure (Index BC=Bray and Curtis; Mueller-Dombois & Ellenberg 1974) and Ward’s group linkage method (Ward 1963). Initially, the distances between all pairwise combinations of sample plots were summarized to a Q×Q distance, or D matrix. Next, the hierarchical grouping method of Ward was operated on this D matrix. Table 1. Characteristics of study sample plots in the Golestanak Protected Area. 60 sample plots at 5 transects: Transect 1: 18 sample plots, 3.3 km long, 237 m amplitude altitude; Transect 2: 7 sample plots, 470 m long, 198 m amplitude altitude; Transect 3: 8 sample plots, 550 m long, 242 m amplitude altitude; Transect 4: 8 sample plots, 740 m long, 310 m amplitude altitude; Transect 5: 18 sample plots, 2 km long, 631 m amplitude altitude; Three different sizes of sample plot were used; 10×6 m (northern slopes), 9×4 m (southern, eastern and western slopes) and 2×2 m (around stream and rivulet). Abbreviations: Q: sample plot; T: transect. Q&T Altitude (m) Aspect Latitude (N) Longitude (E) Q12T1 3163 S 36°14'09.52" 51°14'42.28" Q08T1 3220 S 36°14'15.40" 51°26'33.20" Q01T1 3237 E 36°14'18.25" 51°26'34.50" Q02T1 3263 E 36°14'19.60" 51°26'31.85" Q09T1 3287 S 36°14'21.35" 51°26'35.00" Q03T1 3314 E 36°14'26.05" 51°26'28.75" Q11T1 3341 S 36°14'28.95" 51°26'26.00" Q10T1 3300 S 36°14'28.25" 51°26'27.25" Q19T1 3341 W 36°14'30.00" 51°26'26.50" Q20T1 3349 W 36°14'33.01" 51°26'25.76" Q21T1 3342 W 36°14'33.35" 51°26'25.90" Q22T1 3328 W 36°14'37.35" 51°26'26.01" Q23T1 3346 W 36°14'47.45" 51°26'12.35" Q24T1 3356 S 36°14'48.65" 51°26'10.85" Q25T1 3375 S 36°14'49.01" 51°26'09.55" Q26T1 3380 S 36°14'49.50" 51°26'07.50" Q27T1 3385 S 36°14'54.00" 51°26'05.50" Q28T1 3398 S 36°14'31.06" 51°25'33.00" Q29T1 3400 S 36°14'18.25" 51°25'29.60" Q30T2 3422 S 36°15'08.48" 51°25'28.07" Q31T2 3386 N 36°15'08.50" 51°25'26.03" Q32T2 3340 N 36°15'10.04" 51°25'25.65" Q33T2 3286 N 36°15'10.70" 51°25'22.01" Q34T2 3246 N 36°15'11.95" 51°25'16.05" Q35T2 3236 N 36°15'12.50" 51°25'13.00" Q36T2 3224 N 36°15'13.55" 51°25'14.60" Naderi & al. • Flora and vegetation of Golestanak, Iran 62 Table 1. Continuation. Q&T Altitude (m) Aspect Latitude (N) Longitude (E) Q04T3 3012 N 36°15'33.80" 51°24'56.58" Q15T3 2888 N 36°15'43.28" 51°24'58.61" Q13T3 2870 N 36°15'54.78" 51°24'50.50" Q07T3 2830 N 36°15'52.08" 51°24'56.58" Q14T3 2874 N 36°16'07.44" 51°25'02.00" Q18T3 2830 N 36°16'13.74" 51°25'52.52" Q17T3 2812 N 36°16'10.35" 51°25'02.00" Q16T3 2770 N 36°16'09.32" 51°25'12.00" Q37T4 2932 W 36°14'33.20" 51°24'48.18" Q38T4 2996 W 36°14'38.09" 51°24'43.22" Q39T4 3035 W 36°14'41.70" 51°24'45.34" Q40T4 3049 W 36°14'43.21" 51°24'46.12" Q41T4 3074 W 36°14'45.37" 51°24'45.12" Q42T4 3152 S 36°14'50.83" 51°24'40.24" Q43T4 3198 S 36°14'53.82" 51°24'48.43" Q44T4 3224 S 36°14'57.81" 51°24'48.19" Q45T5 3385 S 36°15'05.77" 51°24'48.18" Q46T5 3279 N 36°15'12.09" 51°24'47.00" Q47T5 3190 N 36°15'18.40" 51°24'45.34" Q48T5 3161 N 36°15'24.42" 51°24'47.80" Q49T5 3083 N 36°15'33.74" 51°24'43.64" Q50T5 2997 N 36°15'43.97" 51°24'39.25" Q51T5 2953 N 36°15'51.19" 51°24'36.67" Q52T5 2910 N 36°15'51.19" 51°24'40.32" Q53T5 2893 N 36°16'04.13" 51°24'44.18" Q54T5 2824 N 36°16'09.83" 51°24'42.76" Q56T5 2754 N 36°16'11.82" 51°24'39.36" Q05T5 2734 N 36°16'13.56" 51°24'44.28" Q06T5 2712 N 36°16'15.22" 51°24'48.42" Q56T5 2680 N 36°16'17.13" 51°24'41.04" Q57T5 2660 N 36°16'18.69" 51°24'40.83" Q58T5 2655 N 36°16'22.33" 51°24'42.31" Q59T5 2630 N 36°16'24.53" 51°24'45.05" Q60T5 2628 N 36°16'26.14" 51°24'47.55" Results Flora One hundred and 72 plant taxa, belonging to 39 families and 126 genera were identified in the area. The floristic list is presented in the Appendix. One hundred and 38 taxa were dicotyledones (99 genera) and 32 taxa were monocotyledons (25 genera). The largest families were Asteraceae (28 taxa), Poaceae (20 taxa) and Lamiaceae (16 taxa). The largest genera were Astragalus with seven and Tanacetum with four species. Eight genera could not be determined to a species level, owing to the inadequate plant material for identification. Categorization according to the phytogeographic region was as follows: Irano-Turanian – 105 taxa (63.65 %), Euro-Siberian-Irano-Turanian – 23 taxa (14 %), EuroSiberian – 11 taxa (6.7 %), Euro-Siberian-Irano-Turanian-Mediterranean – 7 taxa (4.25 %), Irano-TuranianMediterranean – 6 taxa (3.7 %), Pluriregional – 6 taxa (3.7 %), Euro-Siberian-Mediterranean – 3 taxa (2 %), and Cosmopolitan – 3 taxa (2 %). Hemicryptophytes were the commonest in the study area, followed by chamaephytes, geophytes, therophytes, and phanerophytes. Three new species were reported for the flora of Iran in our earlier paper (Naderi & al. 2009): Achillea millefolium L. subsp. sudetica (Opiz) Weiss in Koch (Asteraceae), Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. subsp. draba (Brassicaceae) and Scorzonera kirpicznikovii Lipsch. (Asteraceae). Vegetation Species frequency and foliar cover Of the 172 identified taxa, 131 species were recorded in the sample plots; i.e. 41 species (23.83 %) were not presented in any of the 60 sample plots. Some of these remarkable species are: Iranecio elbursensis, Huynhia pulchra, Centaurea iberica, Crepis multicaulis, Phleum iranicum, Ferula ovina, Pimpinella tragium, Verbascum cheiranthifolium, Linaria genistifolia, Orbanche pulchra, and Rosa canina. The species Alopecurus textilis and Tragopogon kotschyi were the most common sample species occurring in 33 sample plots, followed by Bromus tomentellus (32), Plantago atrata and Onobrychis cornuta (29), Tanacetum polycephalum (28), and Ranunculus amblyolobus (23). The maximum foliar cover was exhibited by Onobrychis cornuta, followed by Plantago atrara, Alopecurus textilis, Bromus tomentellus, Tanacetum polycephalum, Tragopogon kotschyi, and Asyneuma amplexicaule. Community determination Clustering analysis of sixty sample plots is summarized in a dendrogram (Fig. 2). The process of delimiting communities (or groups) from the information provided by the clustering analysis is usually subjec- Phytol. Balcan. 18(1) • Sofia • 2012 63 tive (Ludwig & Reynolds 1988). A community coefficient (CC) of 100 represents an identity, while a CC of 0 represents complete difference. The sample plots of one community are often expected to share a CC above 50 (Barbour & al. 1987). A vertical dashed line across the dendrogram at a threshold value of 60 percent created 11 vegetation groups. Nine plant communities were identified, distinctive from each other with their ecological and floristic features (Fig. 2). 2 – Plantago atrata communities: they overlap with many other communities and usually occur at low slopes. High moisture is one of the major characteristics for the establishment of these communities. They appear when the snow cover begins to melt, close to the end of April. The accompanying species include Astragalus magistratus, Ranunculus amblyolobus, Cirsium sp., Arabis caucasica, and Anchonium elichrysifolium. Group I: includes sample plots 1, 30, 45 and 46 (Fig. 2; e.g. S1). This group comprises two communities: Grammosciadium platycarpum and Plantago atrata. 1 – Grammosciadium platycarpum communities: they are situated between 3200 m to 3260 m a.s.l., on the slopes of an east-southeastern region with shallow-sandstone soils. The accompanying species include Nepeta racemosa, Hieracium procerum, Tragopogon kotschyi, Astragalus magistratus, Alopecurus textilis, Geranium tuberosum, and Ranunculus amblyolobus. Group II: constitutes only of Helichrysum spp. communities (H. oligocephalum and H. plicatum), which lie between 3300 m to 3350 m a.s.l. on the steep slopes of an east-southeastern region with shallow-sandstone soils. Their characteristic species is Hypericum scabrum. The accompanying species include Arenaria gypsophiloides, Tanacetum polycephalum, Nepeta racemosa, Silene sp., Phlomis anisodonta, Thymus kotschyanus, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Bromus tomentellus, Poa bulbosa, plantago atrata, and Ranunculus amblyolobus. Cluster analysis 2E-02 5.1E+00 100 75 S1 S30 S45 S46 S2 S3 S20 S21 S22 S29 S12 S24 S26 S27 S28 S25 S8 S9 S10 S11 S42 S43 S44 S19 S23 S39 S37 S41 S38 S40 S4 S7 S34 S35 S51 S54 S31 S49 S33 S36 S32 S47 S50 S48 S13 S52 S53 S15 S14 S55 S18 S5 S6 S56 S57 S17 S16 S58 S59 S60 Distance (Objective Function) 1E+01 Information Remaining (%) 60 50 1.5E+01 2E+01 25 0 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI Fig. 2. The dendrogram resulted from a cluster analysis of sixty quadrats using Sørensen distance measure and Ward’s method. A vertical dashed line represents reference point for delimiting 11 ecological groups. 64 Naderi & al. • Flora and vegetation of Golestanak, Iran Group III: includes sample plots 20, 21, 22, and 29. It comprises two communities: Bromus tomentellus and Cirsium sp. 1 – Bromus tomentellus communities: whereas the Bromus tomentellus species is represented in half of the sample plots, like Alopecurus textilis, Tragopogon kotschyi and Plantago atrata, therefore, their community border is not easily recognizable. The accompanying species include Tanacetum polycephalum, Tragopogon kotschyi, Taraxacum serotinum, Silene sp., Clastopus erubescens, Marrubium astracanicum, Nepeta racemosa, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Alopecurus textiles, and Plantago atrata. 2 – Cirsium sp. communities: these communities are often dominant on the western slopes with shallow-sandstone soils, particularly near byways. They include the following accompanying species: Tanacetum polycephalum, Tragopogon kotschyi, Minuartia recurva, M. lineata, Clastopus erubescens, Astragalus magistratus, Scutellaria pinnatifida, Thymus pubescens, and Plantago atrata. Group VI: comprises sample plots 8, 9, 10, 11, 42, 43, and 44. They were in the windswept areas of the study area (3300–3600 m) occupied by Astragalus spp.-Onobrychis cornuta communities. These communities are composed of thorn-cushion and graminoid species. They form a distinct unit above the timberline in the subalpine zone, also on the northern slopes of the Alborz Mts. Astragalus magistratus and A. capax are dominant species in these communities. On the basis of the systematic random sampling the distribution of Linaria genistifolia and Camphorosma monspeliaca are restricted to this unit. Other species common for this vegetation type are Seratula latifolia, Tanacetum polycephalum, Draba nemorosa, Clastopus erubescens, Thymus kotchyanus, T. pubescens, Stachys lavandulifolia, Alopecurus textilis, Bromus tomentellus, Poa bulbosa, Acantholimon demavendicum, and A. hohenackeri. Group IV: comprises only one sample plot related to the first sample plot in the first transect. The speciescomposition of this sample plot was very different from the others. It was set near an asphalt road without any specific community. Group V: includes sample plots 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 related to Transect 1 (southern slopes, altitude 3350– 3400 m). The most important characteristic of these sample plots is their presence in a semi-wet environment. Rumex elbursensis and Onobrychis cornuta are two recognizable communities of this group. 1 – Rumex elbursensis communities: these communities occurred along the melt-water streams in avalanche tracks and erosional channels, and next to the major river in the Alborz Mts. They are covered with such species as Cousinia crispa, Tanacetum polycephalum, Onobrychis cornuta, Dianthus orientalis, Astragalus citrinus, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus tomentellus, and Cirsium sp. 2 – Onobrychis cornuta communities: large parts of the south slopes were covered with these communities. Their outlook is determined by the following accompanying species: Achillea millefolium, Cousinia crispa, Seratula latifolia, Tanacetum polycephalum, Silene sp., Phlomis anisodonta, Leonurus cardiaca, Marrubium astracanicum, Stachys lavanulifolia, Ziziphora clinopodioides, Alopecurus textilis, Bromus tomentellus, Plantago atrata, and Nepeta racemosa. Group VII: comprises sample plots 19, 23, 37, 39, 38, 40, and 41, which are restricted to the high slopes of the west regions with shallow-dry soils. This group was formed by Acantholimon spp.-Alopecurus textilis communities, which are dominated by thorn-cushions (Acantholimon demavendicum and A. hohenackeri) and graminoid species (Alopecurus textilis). The species richness and plant cover of these communities is very low. The accompanying species were as follows: Tanacetum polycephalum, Clastopus erubescens, Minuartia recurva, Astragalus magistratus, Onobrychis cornuta and Poa bulbosa. Group VIII: consists of sample plots 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 4, 7, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, and 54. The sample plots are referred to the northern slopes with high soil moisture. Onobrychis cornuta communities were distinguished. Nonetheless, owing to the presence of sample plots on the northern slopes and an easy access to nutrient sources, the floristic composition of this group differed from the Onobrychis cornuta communities of Group V. The species richness was very high; e.g. sample plots 7, 4, 35 and 31, with the minimal area of 10×6 m2, contained 29, 24, 19 and 18 species, respectively. Dominant species with high cover-abundance were as follows: Bromus tomentellus, Alopecurus textilis, Ranunculus amblyolobus, Asyneuma amplexicaule, Plantago atrata, Cousinia crispa, Silene sp., Betonica nivea, Thymus pubescens, Anthriscus nemorosa, and Minuartia lineata. Phytol. Balcan. 18(1) • Sofia • 2012 Group IX: the soil moisture in this group was higher than in Group VIII, because these sample plots were located near rivulets. The sample plots overlapped with the Onobrychis cornuta community (Group VIII). However, density of the thorn-cushion formation was very low. The existence of springs and of some environment protection constructions has disturbed vegetation in these sample plots. Therefore, no community was recognized. The dominant species were: Achillea millefolium, Stachys byzantina, Tanacetum coccineum and Campanula glomerata. Other species include Centaurea zuvandica, Asyneuma amplexicaule, Sempervivum iranicum, Phlomis anisodonta, Nepeta racemosa, Polygala anatolica, and Pedicularis sibthorpii. Group X & XI: the sample plots of these groups are referred to the spring spots and rivulet tracks with the minimal area of 2.5×2.5 m. According to the dendrogram following from the cluster analysis (see Fig. 2), the community coefficient of these groups was zero, as compared to the other groups. Because of the multiple-layer vegetations, the total cover values of these groups exceeded 100 per cent. No community was recognized in these groups too. Dominant species of the upper stratifications were: Ligularia persica, Heracleum rechingeri and Alchemilla persica. The lower stratifications of these groups are formed by Carex orbicularis, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Gentiana septemfida, Swertia aucheri, Mentha longifolia, Dactylorhiza umbrosa, Primula macrocalyx, P. auriculata, and Veronica anagallis-aquatica. Discussion Flora The results of floristic study have shown that the area is located in the transitional zone between the IranoTuranian and Euro-Siberian region. Six hundred and 82 species, belonging to 193 genera and 39 families, are known from the alpine zone of Iran (Noroozi & al. 2008). Approximately 58 % of the alpine and nival species are endemic and sub-endemic for Iran (394 taxa). Ca. 32 % of the alpine endemic species are restricted to the Alborz Mts. In our study, 19 % of the species (34 taxa) of Golestanak are endemic to Flora Iranica and most of them are restricted to the Alborz Mts. Some of the endemic taxa to the Alborz Mts occur in Golestanak, including Achillea millefolium subsp. elbursensis, Crepis heterotricha subsp. lobata, Iranecio elbursen- 9 • Phytol. Balcan. 18(1) • 2012 65 sis, Leontodon hispidus var. mazanderanicus, Ligularia persica, Tanacetum hololeucum, Asyneuma mazanderanicum, and Betonica nivea subsp. mazandarana. These results show that Golestanak is rich in endemic taxa in comparison with the endemic species of the Alborz Mts and some study regions in the neighboring countries (e.g. Ocakverdi 2001; Akçiçek 2003; Palabaş & Anşin 2006). Vegetation The cluster analysis of the 60 sample plots has identified nine plant communities that differed in species-composition and abundance. Kent & Coker (1992) stressed that although the numerical classification process can be described as objective, the interpretation and the problem of how to choose the final groups still remains subjective and relies on the ecological knowledge and experience of the user. On the other hand, the transitional areas of the Alborz Mts cannot be examined with the technique of Braun-Blanquet. Hence, plant communities of Golestanak Protected Area are presented by the cluster analysis without using the hierarchical classification units of the Braun-Blanquet system (e.g. class -etea, order -etalia, alliance -ion and association -etum). The presence of two distinct communities of Onobrychis cornuta with different species-compositions in the Groups V and VIII can be described as follows: Onobrychis cornuta is a species compatible with the environmental factors, which occurred almost in half of the sample plots, therefore, this species repeated itself with great regularity over the study area (see Clements 1916, 1928), but the accompanying species of the Onobrychis cornuta communities respond individually to variations in environmental factors and also every species has its own tolerance range for the study area (see Gleason 1917, 1926, 1939). All accompanying species are distributed as a continuum, but classification of the cluster analysis based on the species-composition of each sample plot has divided this continuum into distinguishable partitions (Group V on southern slopes and Group VIII on northern slopes). Conclusions The statistical tools used in the study were cluster analysis and its subparts, namely Ward’s linkage method and Sørensen’s similarity coefficient (Index BC=Bray and Curtis). These tools seem to provide a meticulous 66 method for determining plant communities. However, a further painstaking investigation will reveal some yet hidden facts needed for determination of the ecological group’s boundaries, especially within the transitional zones of the Alborz Mts. Naderi & al. • Flora and vegetation of Golestanak, Iran Acknowledgments. The authors would like to extend their thanks to Dr. A. Naqinezhad (Assistant Professor at the University of Mazandaran, Babolsar) for his valuable guidance and to Dariush Naderi, Hossein Naderi, Homan Jafari, Hamid Gholizadeh, and Morteza Joonian for helping to collect the herbarium specimens. Appendix Floristic list The following abbreviations are used: He = Hemicrytophyte; Ch = Chamaephyte; Th = Therophyte; Ge = Geophyte; Ph = Phanarophyte; ES = Euro-Siberian element; IT = Irano-Turanian element; M = Mediterranean element; Cosm = Cosmopolitan; PL = Pluriregional; End = Endemic. Apiaceae (Umbelliferae): Anthriscus nemorosa (M. Bieb.) Spreng., He, Es-IT. Cervaria cervariifolia (C.A.Mey.) Pimenov, He, ES. Diplotaenia cachrydifolia Boiss., He, IT. Ferula ovina (Boiss.) Boiss., Ch, IT. Grammosciadium platycarpum Boiss. & Hausskn., He, IT. Heracleum rechingeri Manden., He, IT [End.]. Pimpinella tragium Vill. subsp. polyclada (Boiss. & Heldr.) Tutin, He, IT. Trinia leiogona (C.A.Mey.) B. Fedtsch., He, IT. Asteraceae (Compositae): Achillea millefolium L. subsp. elbursensis Hub.-Mor., He, IT [End.]. A. millefolium L. subsp. millefolium, He, ES-IT. A. millefolium L. subsp. sudetica (Opiz) Weiss in Koch, He, IT [End.]. A. vermicularis Trin., Ch, IT. Artemisia absinthium L., Ch, ES-IT. A. chamaemelifolia Vill., Ch, ES-IT. Centaurea iberica Trev. ex Spreng., He, IT-M. C. zuvandica (Sosn.) Sosn., He, ES-M. Centaurea sp., He. Cirsium sp., He. Cousinia crispa Jaub. & Spach, He, IT. Crepis heterotricha DC. subsp. lobata Babcock, He, IT [End.]. C. multicaulis Ledeb. subsp. multicaulis, He, IT. Erigeron acer L., He, IT. Helichrysum oligocephalum DC., Ch, IT [End.]. H. plicatum DC., He, IT. Hieracium procerum Fr., He, ES. Iranecio elbursensis (Boiss.) B. Nord., He, IT [End.]. Leontodon hispidus L. var. mazanderanicus Rech. f., He, IT [End.]. Ligularia persica Boiss., He, IT [End.]. Scariola orientalis (Boiss.) Soják subsp. orientalis, Ch, IT. Scorzonera kirpicznikovii Lipsch., He, Es. Seratula latifolia Boiss., He, ES. Tanacetum coccineum (Willd.) Grierson subsp. coccineum, He, ES. T. hololeucum (Bornm.) Podlech, He, IT [End.]. T. polycephalum Sch. Bip. subsp. duderanum (Boiss.) Podlech, Ch, IT. Taraxacum serotinum (Waldst. & Kit.) Poir., He, ES. Tragopogon kotschyi Boiss., He, IT [End.]. Boraginaceae: Huynhia pulchra (Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes) Greuter & Burdet, He, ES. Lappula microcarpa (Ledeb.) Gürke, Th, IT. Onosma demavendica Riedl, He, IT. O. dichroantha Boiss., He, IT. Brassicaceae (Cruciferae): Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande, Th, ES-IT-M. Anchonium elichrysifolium (DC.) Boiss. subsp. persicum (DC.) Cullen & Coode, He, IT. Arabis caucasica Willd. subsp. caucasica, He, IT. A. gerardii Besser, He, ES-IT. A. Sagittata (Bertol.) DC., He, ES-IT-M. Barbarea plantaginea DC., He, IT. Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. subsp. draba, He, IT. Clastopus erubescens Hausskn., He, IT [End.]. Conringia persica Boiss., He, IT. Draba nemorosa L., He, ES-IT. Sisymbrium irio L., Th, IT. Campanulaceae: Asyneuma amplexicaule (Willd.) Hand. – Mazz. subsp. amplexicaule, He, IT [End.]. A. mazanderanicum Rech. f., He, IT [End.]. Campanula glomeratra L., He, ES-IT. C. lourica Boiss. He, IT [End.] C. stevenii M. Bieb., He, IT. Caryophyllaceae: Arenaria gypsophiloides L. var. gypsophiloides, He, IT. Dianthus orientalis Adams subsp. gorganicus, Rech. f., Ch, IT. D. orientalis Adams subsp. stenocalyx (Boiss.) Rech. f., Ch, IT. Gypsophila aretioides Boiss., Ch, IT. Minuartia lineata Bornm., Ch, IT [End.]. M. recurva (All.) Schinz et Thell subsp. oreina (Mattf.) Mc Neill, Ch, IT. Silene sp., He. Chenopodiaceae: Camphorosma monspeliaca L., Ch, ESIT-M. Crassulaceae: Sedum gracile C. A. Mey., Ge, IT. S. pilosum M. Bieb., He, ES-IT. Sempervivum iranicum Bornm. & Gauba, He, IT [End.]. Cupressaceae: Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb., Ph, IT. Cyperaceae: Carex orbicularis Boott subsp. kotschyana (Boiss. & Hohen.) Kukkonen, He, IT. Eleocharis quinqueflora (Hartmann) O. Schwarz, He, Cosm. Dipsacaceae: Cephalaria kotschyi Boiss. & Hohen., He, IT. Euphorbiaceae: Euphorbia bungei Boiss., Ch, IT. Fabaceae: Astragalus aureus Willd., Ch, IT [End.]. A. capax Maassoumi, Ch, IT [End.]. A. citrinus Bunge subsp. citrinus, He, IT [End.]. A. magistratus Maassoumi, Ghahreman & Mozzaffarian, Ch, IT [End.]. A. oxyglottis M. Bieb., He, IT [End.]. A. submitis Boiss. & Hohen. subsp. maassoumii Tietz & Zarre, Ch, IT [End.]. Astragalus sp., He. Onobrychis cornuta (L.) Desv., Ch, IT. Trifolium sp., He. Vicia canescens Labill. subsp. gregaria (Boiss. & Heldr.) P.H. Davis, He, IT. V. sojakii Chrtková, He, IT. Fumariaceae: Corydalis sp., Ge. Gentianaceae: Gentiana septemfida Pall., He, IT. Swertia Phytol. Balcan. 18(1) • Sofia • 2012 67 aucheri Boiss., He, IT. Geraniaceae: Geranium tuberosum L., Ge, ES-IT-M. Hypericaceae (Guttiferae): Hypericum armenum Jaub. & Spach, He, IT. H. scabrum L., He, IT-M. Iridaceae: Iris acutiloba C. A. Mey., Ge, IT. Iris barnumae Baker & Foster subsp. demavendica (Bornm.) Mathew & Wendelbo, Ge, IT [End.]. Lamiaceae (Labiatae): Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. ex Benth., He, IT [End.]. Betonica nivea Steven subsp. mazandarana (Bornm.) Rech. f., He, IT [End.]. Leonurus cardiaca L. subsp. persicus (Boiss.) Rech., f. He, IT [End.]. Marrubium astracanicum Jacq., He, IT. Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson var. chlorodictya Rech. f., Ge, PL. Nepeta racemosa Lam., He, IT. N. sintenisii Bornm., He, IT. Phlomis anisodonta Boiss., He, IT [End.]. Salvia staminea Montbr. & Aucher ex Benth., He, IT. S. xanthocheila Boiss. ex. Benth., He, IT. Scutellaria pinnatifida A.Ham. subsp. alpina (Bornm.) Rech. f., He, IT. Stachys byzantina K. Koch, He, IT. S. lavandulifolia Vahl, He, IT-M. Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen., Ch, IT. T. pubescens Boiss. & Kotschy ex Celak, Ch, IT. Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. subsp. elbursensis (Rech. f.) Rech. f., Ch, IT. Liliaceae: Allium erubescens K. Koch, Ge, ES-IT. Gagea gageoides (Zucc.) Vved. Ge, IT. Ornithogalum balansae Boiss., Ge, ES-IT. O. bungei Boiss., Ge, ES-IT. O. gussonei Ten. (O. tenuifolium Guss.), Ge, ES-IT. Tulipa biflora Pall., Ge, IT. Tulipa sp., He. Linaceae: Linum nervosum Waldst. & Kit. var. bungei (Boiss.) Sharifinia, He, IT [End.]. Linum nervosum Waldst. & Kit. var. nervosum, He, IT [End.]. Ophioglossaceae: Botrychium lunaria (L.) SW., He, PL. Orchidaceae: Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski, He, PL. Orobanchaceae: Orobanche pulchra Gilli, Ge, IT [End.]. Papaveraceae: Papaver armeniacum (L.) DC., He, IT. P. bracteatum Lindl. He, ES-IT. Poaceae: Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. subsp. pectinatum (M. Bieb.) var. pectinatum, He, ES-IT-M. Agrostis gigantea Roth, He, PL. Alopecurus textilis Boiss., He, IT. Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P. Beauv. ex J. Presl. & C. Presl, He, ES-IT-M. Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv., He, ES-M. Bromus tomentellus Boiss., He, IT. Calamagrostis parsana (Bor) M. Dogan, He, IT. Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. glomerata, He, ES-IT-M. Elymus elongatiformis (Drobov) Assadi, Ge, IT. Festuca ovina L., He, Cosm. Hordeum bulbosum L., Ge, IT. H .violaceum Boiss. & Hohen., He, IT-M. Melica jacquemontii Decne. subsp. jacquemontii, He, IT. Phleum iranicum Bornm. & Gauba, He, IT [End.]. Poa bulbosa L., Ge, IT-M. Poa nemoralis L., He, PL. Poa supina Schrad., He, Es-IT. Psathyrostachys fragilis (Boiss.) Nevski, He, IT. Stipa barbata Desf., He, ES-IT. Trisetum flavescens (L.) P. Beauv., He, ESIT. Plantaginaceae: Plantago atrata Hoppe, He, ES-IT. Plumbuginaceae: Acantholimon demavendicum Bornm., Ch, IT [End.]. A. hohenackeri (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss., Ch, IT. Polygalaceae: Polygala anatolica Boiss. & Heldr., He, ES-M. Polygonaceae: Polygonum alpestre C. A. Mey., He, ES. P. rottboellioides Jaub. & Spach, He, IT. Rumex elbursensis Boiss., He, IT [End.]. Primulaceae: Primula auriculata Lam., He, IT. P. macrocalyx Bunge, He, ES-IT. Ranunculaceae: Ficaria kochii (Ledeb.) Iranshahr & Rech. f., He, IT. Ranunculus amblyolobus Boiss. & Hohen., He, IT [End.]. Rosaceae: Alchemilla gigantodus Frohner, He, ES. A. persica Rothm., He, ES IT. Cotoneaster nummularioides Pojark., Ph, IT. Potentilla canescens Besser, He, ES-IT. Rosa canina L., Ph, IT. Rubiaceae: Crucianella gilanica Trin. subsp. hirsuta (Ehrend.) Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem., He, IT. Cruciata taurica (Pall. ex Willd.) Ehrend. subsp. persica (DC.) Ehrend., He, IT. Galium ghilanicum Stapf, Th, IT. Galium verum L. subsp. verum f. verum, Th, IT. Salicaceae: Salix aegyptiaca L., Ph, ES-IT. Scrophulariaceae: Linaria genistifolia (L.) Mill. subsp. genistifolia, He, ES. Pedicularis sibthorpii Boiss., He, IT. Scrophularia elbursensis Bornm., He, IT [End.]. Verbascum cheiranthifolium Boiss. var. transcaspicum Murb., He, IT. V. gossypinum M. Bieb., He, ES. Veronica anagallis-aquatica L., Ge, IT-M. Veronica sp., He. Urticaceae: Urtica dioica L. subsp. dioica, He, Cosm. Valerianaceae: Valeriana sisymbriifolia Vahl, He, ES-IT. Violaceae: Viola rupestris F. W. Schmidt, Th, ES. References Cain, S.A. & Castro, G.M. de O.1959. Manual of Vegetation Analysis. Harper & Brothers Publ., New York. Akçiçek, E. 2003. Flora of Kumalar Mountain (Afyon). – Turk. J. 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