Relationships between Geopedological Characteristics and Vegetation Cover: A Case Study in the Dagh-Finou Catchment, Hormozgan Province, Iran
Authors
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between
vegetation, landform and physicochemical properties of soil. At the first terrain
map unit were provided using the landsat thematic mapper (TM) satellite images,
aerial photograph, topographical and geology map. Field sampling was done in the
representative area using plot sampling. 104 plots 100 m2 were sampled in each
plot landform parameters (slope, elevation, aspect), percentage of vegetation cover,
were measured and stoniness and browsing damage were estimated and one soil
sample was taken for measuring EC, pH, and texture. Relationship between
vegetation and environmental factors was based on correlation analysis, box plot
and Kruskal Wallis test (multiple comparisons). Correlation analysis showed a
positive correlation between vegetation cover with slope and elevation and a
negative correlation with EC. Based on the Kruskal Wallis test there was
significant difference in vegetation cover between different geopedological map
units. No significant relationships were found between vegetation cover and other
soil properties such as pH and texture.
