Soil quality modeling in Roshtkhar desert region affected by Holoxylon aphyllum planting using multivariate statistical analysis

The arid regions are fragile and sensitive ecological environment and are vulnerable to desertification. This critical area around arid region where desertification occurs determines the ecological stability of the deserts. In order to combat desertification and decreasing its risks, the restoration projects using varieties of plant species were applied that could change the soil properties and soil quality indices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of Haloxylon planting on soil physical and chemical properties and to determine soil indices in the Ahangaran village, southwestern Roshtkhar city. In view of this, 45 samples were collected from the three control area, between the canopy and under the canopy of Haloxylon aphyllum and soil physical and chemical properties were measured. The results showed that soil pH, lime, electrical conductivity, saturation moisture, clay, sand, carbonate and total nitrogen of the three sampling region were significantly different. The soil quality model were determined using multivariate statistical techniques including factor analysis, redundancy analysis and discrimination analysis and the results showed that pH and lime with highest coefficient are the most important of soil quality under Haloxylon planting in the study area. The soil quality index in the between the canopy and under the canopy of Haloxylon aphyllum is differently significant with control area.