The effect of conservation management on vegetation and soil characteristics in Zagros forest ecosystem

Vegetation is decreasing as a result of various destructive factors in semi-arid areas. This study examined the effect of protective management on vegetation and soil characteristics. So¡ the managed and unmanaged forests were compared in Ilam city forests. In each of the two sites¡ four sampling points were randomly positioned.
Four main sample plots were established at a distance of 100 meters from the center. In each main plot¡ vegetation and three soil samples were taken (0 to 20 cm depth). Edaphic characteristics including total nitrogen¡ phosphorus¡ organic matter¡ organic carbon¡ pH¡ salinity¡ bulk density were measured. The results showed that management significantly increased the amount of available phosphorus¡ organic carbon¡ total nitrogen¡ organic matter and plant species number. The results showed that conservation management can be useful measures to improve the diversity of vegetation and soil nutrient status in Zagros forest ecosystems.