Relationship between Soil Characteristics and Vegetation Types in Damghan

Relationships between soil factors and vegetation types in playa of Damghan was investigated. Six vegetation types including Artemisia.sieberi, Arundo. sp, Artemisia.sieberi-Peganum.harmala, Alhagi.cammelerom, Artemisia.sieberi-petropyron.sp, Tamarix.passerinoides-Halocnemum strobilaceum. One bare land was recognized in the study area and the research was conducted within mentioned types. Canopy percentage of plant in different types was estimated based on randomized-systematic sampling method, within 1 m² quadrats. Along four transects 300 m each, 15 m² quadrats established for estimating cover percentage in each type. Soil sampling was performed from 0-15 and 15-50 Depths at the starting and end points of transect. Measured soil factors included EC, pH, texture, Ca^2+, Na^+, Mg^2+, Co3^2-, HCO3^-, Cl^-, CaSO4, CaCO3. In order to find the relationship between soil factors and vegetation properties, multivariate analysis was used. The results showed that separation of understudy types was mainly related to soil characteristic including texture, Ec, Na^+, Mg^2+, Cl^-.