全 文 :The Flora of Siahrud ̄e Rudbar Protected Areaꎬ Northern Iran
Ataei ̄e jaliseh Somayeh∗
(Department of Biologyꎬ Rasht Branchꎬ Islamic Azad Universityꎬ Rashtꎬ Iran)
Abstract: The vascular flora of the Siahrud ̄e Rudbar protected area was investigated in the years 2007 and 2008. It
is a sylvatic area in the Guilan province with a total area of approximately 28 289 hectares. A total of 711 plant speci ̄
mens were collected and 616 speciesꎬ subspeciesꎬ and varietiesꎬ belonging to 373 genera and 101 families were i ̄
dentified. Of theseꎬ 14 species (2 3%) are endemic to Iran. The documented flora exhibited many typically Hyrca ̄
nian speciesꎬ including Hyrcanian endemics. The global phytogeographical affinities of the species were as follows:
Euro ̄Siberian 21 2%ꎬ Iran ̄Turanian & Euro ̄Siberian 16 8%ꎬ Pluriregional 11 7%ꎬ Iran ̄Turanian 10 6%ꎬ and
Cosmopolite 5 5%.
Key words: Floristic surveyꎻ Iranꎻ Guilan provinceꎻ Hyrcanian phytogeographic province
CLC number: Q 948 Document Code: A Article ID: 2095-0845(2015)05-572-05
The Siahrud ̄e Rudbar protected area is located
in Guilan provinceꎬ 35 km NE of Rudbar between
49°32′ ̄49°51′ E and 36°44′- 36°54′ N (Fig 1).
The Siahrud ̄e Rudbar was declared a protected area
in 1999ꎬ and to date no floristic study had been per ̄
formed. The total area is 28 289 hectaresꎬ including
5 000-6 000 hectares of closed forests with the re ̄
mainder as pasture or agronomic lands. The altitude
of the area ranges between 220 - 2 220 mꎬ with a
mean annual precipitation and temperature of 800
mm and 14 ℃ꎬ respectively (Darvishsefatꎬ 2006).
The climatic characteristics of the study area were
estimated according to an ombrothermic evaluation
(UNESCOꎬ 1963 ) of data from the Manjil and
Pasikhan meteorological stations (Fig 2). Approxi ̄
mately 10 months are “ wet” monthsꎬ with the re ̄
maining two ( June and August) considered “ dry”
months. The coldest months are January and Febru ̄
ary with minimum recorded temperatures of 2 8 and
2 3 ℃ꎬ respectively. The hottest months are June
and July with maximum recorded temperatures of
18 1 ℃ and 19 6 ℃ respectively. This temperate
humid climate is clearly reflected in the flora and
vegetation of the study area. Exceptional biodiversi ̄
tyꎬ recreational activities ( particulary fishing and
walking) and improved infrastructure have encour ̄
aged scientific and tourist activity in the region
(Darvishsefatꎬ 2006).
1 Materials and Methods
A total of 711 plant specimens were collected
from the area in 2007 and 2008. Particular attention
was given to collecting specimens that were typical of
the local population. The specimens were prepared
according to standard herbarium techniques. Flora
Iranica ( Rechingerꎬ 1963 - 2010)ꎬ Flora of the
USSR ( Komarovꎬ 1968 - 1980)ꎬ Flora of Turkey
(Davisꎬ 1965 - 1988)ꎬ Flora of Iraq ( Townsendꎬ
1966-1968)ꎬ Flora Europeae (Tutin et al.ꎬ 1964-
1980)ꎬ Flora of Iran (Assadi 1989-2010) and the
Flora of Golestan National Park ( Akhaniꎬ 1998)
were utilized for identification of the specimens. Flo ̄
ra of Iran (Assadiꎬ 1989-2010) and the Flora of
Golestan National Park (Akhaniꎬ 1998) were used
for the determination of phytogeographic affinities.
All vouchers were deposited at the Farabi herbari ̄
um (FAR) of Tarbiat Moallem Universityꎬ Tehranꎬ
Iran.
植 物 分 类 与 资 源 学 报 2015ꎬ 37 (5): 572~576
Plant Diversity and Resources DOI: 10.7677 / ynzwyj201515008
∗ Author for correspondenceꎻ E ̄mail: atayi somayeh@yahoo com
Received date: 2015-01-16ꎬ Accepted date: 2015-03-18
2 Conclusions and Comments
The complete annotated species list is provided
in the appendix (http:/ / journal.kib.ac.cn / UserFiles /
File / 2015-008. pdf) . In total 711 plant specimens
were collected from the study area. A total of 101
familiesꎬ 373 generaꎬ 607 speciesꎬ 8 subspeciesꎬ
and 1 variety were identified. Thirteen monilophytes
(ferns and fern allies ̄Smith et al.ꎬ 2006)ꎬ inclu ̄
ding one member of Equisetales (Equisetum palustre
L.) were documented. The Mediterranean Cypress
(Cupressus sempervirens L.) was the only gymnosperm
documented from the study area. The other 602 are
angiospermsꎬ with dicots and monocots comprising
516 and 86 taxa respectively (Table 1).
Large families in terms of the number of genera
are Asteraceae (41 species)ꎬ Poaceae (30 sp.)ꎬ Bra ̄
ssicaceae (20 sp.)ꎬ Apiaceae (19 sp.)ꎬ and Lami ̄
aceae (18 sp.) (Fig 3).
Fig 1 Map of study area
3755期 Ataei ̄e jaliseh Somayeh: The Flora of Siahrud ̄e Rudbar Protected Areaꎬ Northern Iran
Fig 2 Ombrothermic climatic diagram of area
Table 1 The diversity of selected taxonomic groups
in the Siahrud ̄e Rudbar flora
No. of families No. of genera No. of taxaa
Monilophytes 7 10 13
Spermatophytes 94 363 603
Gymnosperms 1 1 1
Angiosperms 93 362 602
Dicots 79 302 516
Monocots 14 60 86
Total 101 373 616
a Includes speciesꎬ subspeciesꎬ and varieties
The richest families in terms of the number of
taxa are Asteraceae 56 (9 7% of the total taxa)ꎬ
Papilionaceae 46 (7 9%)ꎬ Poaceae 39 (6 7%)ꎬ
Brassicaceae 30 (5 2%)ꎬ Lamiaceae 28 (4 8%)ꎬ
Apiaceae 26 (4 5%)ꎬ Caryophyllaceae 25 (4 3%)ꎬ
Rosaceae 24 (4 1%)ꎬ Scrophulariaceae 22 (3 8%)ꎬ
and Boraginaceae 15 (2 6%). These families col ̄
lectively include 311 taxaꎬ which is over half 50 4%
of the total number of taxa (Fig 4).
Asteraceae with 56 Taxa largest family in the
region is a considerable expansion of the dark area
can be any justification for thatꎬ most species found
in the darker form of biological groups Hemicrypto ̄
phytes and therophytes belongs to this is due to ex ̄
cessive grazing and sensible construction in the area
seems reasonable. Papilionaceae with 46 taxa in the
second rankꎬ such as Astragalus and Alhagi of this
family with high adaptability to climate change and
the conditions are difficult.
Excessive livestock grazing pasture showed a
wide distribution in Poaceaeꎬ climate change and
climax ecosystem balance is pasture. It seems too
much damage in areas that are covered by some
members of the Asteraceae and Poaceae families of
color are more present. In other wordsꎬ are pioneer
species. Pioneer species are species that establish
power and adaptations of other species are more. The
families of Brassicaceaeꎬ Lamiaceaeꎬ Rosaceae and
Apiaceae due to the high humidity and the hygro ̄
scopic nature of these plants have been developed.
The families of Scrophulariaceaeꎬ Caryophyl ̄
laceae and Boraginaceae were abundant in areaꎬ be ̄
cause were undesired for the grazing. It is noteworthy
thatꎬ in the Flora of siahrud ̄e rudbarꎬ high diversity
of hydrophilic plants ( such as: Lemnaꎬ Alismaꎬ
Typha and Potamogeton) was identified as a result of
Fig 3 The large ten families in terms of number of genera
A. Asteraceaeꎻ B. Poaceaeꎻ C. Brassicaceaeꎻ D. Apiaceaeꎻ
E. Lamiaceaeꎻ F. Papilionaceaeꎻ G. Rosaceaeꎻ H. Caryo ̄
phyllaceaeꎻ I. Boraginaceaeꎻ J. Scrophulariaceae
Fig 4 The large ten large families in terms of number of taxa
A. Asteraceaeꎻ B. Papilionaceaeꎻ C. Poaceaeꎻ D. Brassicaceaeꎻ
E. Lamiaceaeꎻ F. Apiaceaeꎻ G. Caryophyllaceaeꎻ H. Rosaceaeꎻ
I. Scrophulariaceaeꎻ J. Boraginaceae
475 植 物 分 类 与 资 源 学 报 第 37卷
the humid climate in the region.
The richest genera in terms of taxa are Polygo ̄
num L. and Trifolium L. (8 sp.)ꎬ Astragalus L.ꎬ Che ̄
nopodium L.ꎬ Potentilla L. and Galium L. (7 sp.)ꎬ
Silene L.ꎬ Veronica L. and Ranunculus L.ꎬ with 6
species (Fig 5).
The Siahrud ̄e Rudbar flora is strongly associat ̄
ed with the larger flora of the Hyrcanian Province.
Over half (20 of 38%-53%) of the “key” Hyrcanian
plant species ( below 2 000 m) noted by Heshmati
(2007) were present in the floraꎬ as were six of the
14 endemic or near endemic Hyrcanian woody species
noted by Browicz (1989)ꎬ and 7 of the 37 endemics
or near endemics noted by Takhtajan (1986). Global ̄
lyꎬ taxa with Euro ̄Siberian phytogeographic affinities
were the most commonꎬ (135 taxa ̄21 9%)ꎬ followed
by Euro ̄Siberian and Irano ̄Turanian taxa ( 105ꎬ
17%)ꎬ Pluriregional taxa (74ꎬ 12%)ꎬ Irano ̄Turani ̄
an taxa (64ꎬ 10 4%)ꎬ and Cosmopolite taxa (31ꎬ
5 5%)ꎬ the remaining taxa (207ꎬ 33 6%) belong to
other phytogeographical regions. The large percentage
of Euro ̄Siberian phytogeographic acronyms is not sur ̄
prisingꎬ because the study area is situated at the Eu ̄
ro ̄Siberian phytogeographic region (Fig 6).
In general the study are can be divided into 6
vegetation zones:
1. Plain regions: This zone is commonꎬ found on flat
plains between 500-700 m. These areas are fit for
agricultural activityꎬ and have therefore been sub ̄
stantially altered by human activities. This zone har ̄
bors the highest species diversity in the siahrud ̄e
Rudbar area due to a combination of native and non ̄
native species. Dominant species include Bellis pere ̄
nis and Sambucus ebulus. Other characteristic spe ̄
cies include: Artemisia scopariaꎬ Crepis sanctaꎬ Am ̄
aranthus albusꎬ Arctium lappaꎬ Cousinia erinaceaꎬ
Sonchus palustrisꎬ Lappula barbataꎬ Chenopodium
botrysꎬ Thlaspi perfoliatumꎬ Euphorbia granulateꎬ
Fumaria indicaꎬ and Mentha longifolia.
2. Rocky areas: This zone comprises rocky slopes a ̄
round 2 100 mꎬ including associated fissures and
crevices. This zone is among the rarest in the siah ̄
rud ̄e Rudbar areaꎬ and harbors the lowest species
diversity. Dominant species include Paliurus spina ̄
christiꎬ Cupressus semervirensꎬ and Zygophyllum faba ̄
go. Other characteristic species include: Melica per ̄
sicaꎬ Nepeta glomerulosaꎬ Nepeta persicaꎬ Onosma
longilobumꎬ Silene odontopetalaꎬ Stachys trinervisꎬ
Hedera pastuchoviiꎬ Capparis spinosaꎬ Tamarix ram ̄
osissimaꎬ and Coronilla orientalis.
3. Arid mountainous regions: This rare vegegation
zone is situated between the Plains and Rocky Areas
zones at 1 200-2 000 m and act as the host to plants
from both regions. Dominant species include Bromus
tectorum and Punica granatum. Other characteristic
Fig 5 The richest genera in terms of the number of taxa
A. Polygonumꎻ B. Trifoliumꎻ C. Astragalusꎻ D. Chenopodiumꎻ
E. Potentillaꎻ F. Galiumꎻ G. Sileneꎻ H. Veronicaꎻ
I. Ranunculus
Fig 6 Phytogeographical regions
Phytogeographical regions: M=Mediterraneanꎬ ES=Euro ̄Siberianꎬ
Pl =Pluriregionalꎬ Cos=Cosmopolitanꎬ S=Sudanianꎬ
IT= Irano ̄Turanianꎬ SS=Sahara ̄Sindian
5755期 Ataei ̄e jaliseh Somayeh: The Flora of Siahrud ̄e Rudbar Protected Areaꎬ Northern Iran
species include: Phalaris minorꎬ Aegilops crassaꎬ
Allium rubellumꎬ Peganum hamalaꎬ Linaria simplexꎬ
Reseda luteaꎬ Berberis vulgariaꎬ Ajuga comataꎬ Phlo ̄
mis aucheriꎬ Thymus carmanicusꎬ Fumana procum ̄
bensꎬ Cornus australisꎬ and Linum gaucum.
4. Forest habitat: Forests are among the most com ̄
mon vegegation zones in the siahrud ̄e Rudbar area.
They are found between 800-1 100 m and include
both deciduous trees and associated understory spe ̄
cies. Parrotia persicaꎬ and Carpinus betulus are dom ̄
inant species. Other characteristic species include:
Gleditsia caspicaꎬ Diospyros lotusꎬ Ficus caricaꎬ Cy ̄
clamen coumꎬ Fagus orientalisꎬ Quercus petraeaꎬ
Polypodium vulgareꎬ Pteridium aquilinumꎬ Phyllitis
scolopendriumꎬ Vincetoxicum canescensꎬ Sedem palli ̄
dumꎬ Orobanche ramoseꎬ Epipactis rechingeri and
several Acer sp.
5. Aquatic habitats: This zone includes riverine areas
between 400-750 m. Species diversity is very low in
high flow areasꎬ but slower ̄moving waters the in
these species are characteristic: Nasturtium officina ̄
leꎬ Phragmites australisꎬ Veronica anagallis ̄aquati ̄
caꎬ Hippuris vulgarisꎬ and several species of Pota ̄
mogeton and Alisma. Dominant species include:
Typha turcomanicaꎬ Lemna minorꎬ and Ceratophyl ̄
lum submersum.
6. Degraded areas: This zone comprises areas ma ̄
nipulated for farming and road building. This highly
altered zone includes many weedy species. They are
local to various grasses and weedy species. Dominant
species in these degraded areas include Hypericum
perforatumꎬ Oxalis corniculataꎬ and Stellaria media.
Other characteristic species include: Chenopodium
albumꎬ Noaea mucronataꎬ Vaccaria oxyodontaꎬ Lap ̄
pula barbataꎬ Lathyrus vernusꎬ Cynodon dactylonꎬ
Digitaria sanguinalisꎬ Eragrostis barrelieriꎬ Euphor ̄
bia helioscopiaꎬ Fumaria vaillantiiꎬ Lamium amplex ̄
icauleꎬ and Malva neglecta.
Fourteen (2 3%) taxa in the study area are en ̄
demic to Iran (Table 2). Three species (Atropa acu ̄
minataꎬ Lathraea squamaria and Lathyrus vernus)
were each documented from a single location and
were thus the rarest plants in the study area. Atropa
acuminata has been ever found in the east and north
of Iranꎻ Lathraea squamaria and Lathyrus vernusꎬ
both have been ever found just in the North of Iran.
Table 2 Iranian endemic taxa in the study area
1. Ilex spinigera (Loes.) Loes. 8. Salvia hypoleuca Benth.
2. Aristolochia hyrcana
Davis & M S. Khan 9. Alcea teheranica Parsa
3. Cousinia erinacea
Jaub. & Spach
10. Onobrychys mazanderanica
Rech. f.
4. Echinops koelzii Rech. f. 11. Polygonum hyrcanicumRech. f.
5. Heliotropium dissitiflorum
Boiss.
12. Consolida teheranica
(Boiss.) Rech. f.
6. Arabis rimarum Rech. f. 13. Ranunculus buhsei Boiss.
7. Veronica acrotheca
Bornm. & Gauba
14. Scrophularia gaubae
Bornm.
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