The role of soil and physiographic factors on morphologic parameters of Cerasus microcarpa C. A. Mey. in Kermanshah forests

This study aimed to determine the relationship between vegetation properties of Cerasus microcarpa C. A. Mey. and physiographic and soil conditions in forests of Kermanshah province. After identifying the main habitats of C. microcarpa habitats, min and max range of altitude were determined. Concerning geographic expositions and terrain condition, 17 circular sample plots of 500 m2 each were established, in which C. microcarpa individuals could be grouped, with at least three of the total 122 shrubs in a plot. Furthermore, 17 soil profiles were dug, in which the parameters including pH, EC, C%, CaCo3 and soil texture were determined. The PC-ORD software was used for Canonical Correspondence Analysis on the data. The results suggested that the geographical aspect plays an important role in selecting land form for C. microcarpa establishment, so that the shrubs are more distributed at the edges and valleys in northern slopes, while they are more presented in foothills and plains in southern slopes. The total height of shrubs in northern slopes and edges was higher than those in both southern slopes and plains. Both trunk and crown length reduce by increasing clay, CaCo3, EC and decreasing slope%. A direct relationship was observed between total height of shrubs and altitude and sand. Finally, the environmental conditions in southern slopes and plains which are accompanied by increasing the acidity and silt, which in turn contribute to increase the crown area and diameter at breast height of C. microcarpa shrubs.