Plant diversity at different interval times after burnings in a semiarid rangeland

Burning is known as an influencing factor on the natural vegetation of semiarid rangelands, which may increase or decrease plant diversity. This research was aimed to compare plant diversity at different times after two burning events in a semiarid rangeland. Three adjascent sites, control, burnt at 2004 and burnt at 2008, were selected in Jowzak,Northern Khorasan Province, and studied during spring and summer 2010. Canopy cover, Importance value (IV), diversity, richness and evenness indices were compared between the sites. Result indicated significant differences in plant diversity indices (plant diversity and species richness) between the control and 2004 sites, with no difference being found between 2008 with the other sites. In conclusion, burning had increased the plant diversity after two years, and its effects were intensified after six years. Nevertheless, replacement of perennial grasses and shrubs by annual herbs and ephemerals, in the burnt site, may decrease community stability against the environment harshness.