Effect of fire in Juniperus communis stands on vegetation composition and some soil characteristic of summer rangeland in Angas, Noshahr city, Mazandaran province

Fire as an ecological factor has both positive and negative effects on components of the ecosystem. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fire on composition, changes in vegetation and some soil properties in areas under fire of Juniperus communis stands in Angas village of Noshahr city. For this purpose, the flexible sample plots were used. Overall 50 sample plots were measured and the name of plant species with their cover percentage was recorded. In order to study of soil properties, a soil sample was taken from depth 0-25 cm from each plot. The richness and diversity species were calculated using PAST software. The results showed that out of 59 species identified, 3 species were exclusively found in the fire region, 12 species exclusively in the control region, and 44 species were shared between the two regions. Fire in the area reduced Shannon diversity index and Margalef and Menhinik richness index. Among soil properties organic carbon, organic matter, potassium, electrical conductivity and pH in the fire area was more than the control. It is recommended due to its not long time of occurrence of these types of fires and invasive species such as Stachys byzantina doesn’t invade whole parts of rangelands, restoration activities such as planting native species in the area is on the agenda.