The aim of this study is to outline syntaxonomical diversity of yew (Taxus baccata L.) in the eastern of Hyrcanian forests, Jahan Nama Protected Area (JNPA), and to identify their main environmental gradients. Vegetation units were classified using modified TWINSPAN (two-way indicator species analysis) and were translated into syntaxonomic system. Syntaxa were determined by re-arrangement of each relevé based on diagnostic species. Syntaxa were finally evaluated by diagnostic species and environmental parameters according to phi-values and analysis of variance, respectively. Detrended correspondence analysis was used to visualize the dissimilarity of syntaxa and their relationships with the environmental factors. The classification of JNPA yew forests resulted in six vegetation units. These patterns were translated into four associations (Asso.), two sub-associations (Subasso.) and two variants (Var.). (Asso.1) Fago orientalis-Taxetum baccatae is found in northern aspects with lower slopes and higher soil depth; (Asso.2) Aceri velutini-Taxetum baccatae is occurring in the moderate but rocky slopes. Asso.1 and Asso.2 are the same in altitude and involving Carpinus betulus as a co-dominant. (Asso.3) Carpino betuli-Carpino orientalis-Taxetum baccatae developed in the intermediate slopes. (Asso.4) Carpino orientalis-Taxetum baccatae appeared in the highest slope of northeast and northwest aspects with shallow soil depth. The main factors determining the species composition of the JNPA syntaxa are slope, eastness, elevation, and clay content. Finally, we concluded that yew could be associated by different plant species with different ecological desirability in the eastern of Hyrcanian forests. This study also provided the specific pattern of forest community type between C. betulus and C. orientalis in the JNPA using species combination concept.
Aims: To outline syntaxonomical synthesis of yew (Taxus baccata L.) in the eastern of Hyrcanian forest and to identify their main environmental gradients. Location: Jahan-Nama protected area (JNPA) as a unique yew population with heterogeneous floristically composition in the east of Hyrcanian forests, Northern Iran. Methods: Vegetation units were classified using modified TWINSPAN and were translated into syntaxonomic system. Syntaxa were determined by re-arrangement of each relevé based on diagnostic species occurrences and expert knowledge with the aim to increase the floristic distinctiveness of vegetation units. Syntaxa were finally evaluated by diagnostic species and environmental parameters according to phi- values and ANOVA, respectively. DCA was used to visualize the dissimilarity of syntaxa and their relationships with the environmental factors. We also used species combination concept for determining diagnostic species in the second association. Results: The classification of JNPA yew forests resulted in 6 Vegetation unites. These patterns were translated into four associations, two sub-associations and two variants. (Asso.1) Fago orientalis-Taxetum baccatae is found in northern aspects with lower slopes and higher soil depth; (Asso.2) Aceri velutini-Taxetum baccatae is occurring in the moderate but rocky slopes. Asso.1 and Asso.2 are the same in altitude and involving Carpinus betulus as a co-dominant. (Asso.3) Carpino betuli-Carpino orientale-Taxetum baccatae developed in the intermediate slopes. (Asso.4) Carpino orientale -Taxetum baccatae appeared in the highest slope of northeast and northwest aspects with shallow soil depth. The main factors determining the species composition of the JNPA syntaxa are slope, eastness, elevation and clay content. Conclusions: Our study provides the first syntaxonomic of yew communities in east of Hyrcanian forests and it also used the concept of species combination for exploring diagnostic species for proposing Carpino betuli- Carpino orientale- Taxetum baccatae association. We also showed that yew could be associated with different plant species which are distributing in different site suitability. It caused to have various yew syntaxa in JNPA and considerably reiterate high floristically and ecologically capacity of this area.
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