Study the effects of ecological factors on Artemisia fragrans Willd. distribution in southeast faced slopes of Sabalan

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topography, soil, and climatic factors on the distribution of Artemisia fragrans Willd. in southeast faced slopes of Sabalan located in Ardabil province. 151 range places with various six vegetation types were selected to collect the data. One m2 plot with 5 replications along a 40 meters transect with 10 meters intervals were established in each site, and the presence and absence, density, canopy cover and production of the species were recorded. Litter, stone and gravels, bare soil and total canopy cover percentage were also recorded in the plots. Soil samples were collected along the established transects and pH, electrical conductivity, clay, silt and sand percentage, potassium, phosphorous, organic materials and calcium carbonate of soil samples were determined in the lab. Elevation, slope, aspect, rainfall and temperature maps were produced and these data for the range places were extracted. Independent-samples T test, cluster analysis and discernment analysis were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the studied variables had different influence on Ar. fragrans distribution. According to cluster analysis results, Ar. fragrans prefer range places characterized by low elevation and rainfall, and high temperature. It prefers saline and alkaline soil with moderate to light texture. The soils with low amount of organic matter and phosphorus and high potassium and calcium carbonate contents are appropriate for the appropriate growth status of Ar. fragrans. According to the discriminant analysis, elevation, rainfall, temperature, slope, organic materials, clay and silt percent, stone and gravels, sand percent, soil phosphorus, potassium and calcium carbonate contents, pH, electrical conductivity, aspect and litter percent were key environmental variables influencing Ar. fragrans distribution in the study area, arranged in importance order. Result of this study can be used to identify the appropriate areas for cultivation of this species in rangeland improvement plans.