Investigating the habitat conditions of Prunus chorassanica (Pojark.) A.E.Murray in the natural habitats of the Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran

Aiming to understand the habitat conditions of Prunus chorassanica (Pojark.) A.E.Murray as an endemic shrub species of Iran, this study was conducted in Khorasan Razavi Province. To measure the canopy coverage percentage and density of plant species in the three studied sites located in Dargaz County, three transects of 100 meters were established. Along each transect, a 5 m2 plot was established every ten meters and sampling was done by systematic random method. Also, the ecological conditions of the species growth and distribution; including climate, topography and edaphic characteristics of the sites were investigated. The canopy cover of P. chorassanica in the three studied sites were 7.87 to 11.7% and the density were between 50 to 75 tree per ha. In the shrub's sites, 34, 38.5 and 27.5% of the soil was sand, silt and clay and the desired soil texture was loam. The average pH and electrical conductivity of the soil are equal to 7.73 and 0.8 dS/m, respectively. This species grows and spreads in altitudes above 2000 meters and on slopes between 30 and 55%, generally in the northern direction. Considering the value of this species, in the form of action for protection outside the main site, it is necessary to collect the seeds of this species and store them in the Iran's Natural Resources Gene Bank. Also, it should be planted in the National Botanical Garden of Iran so that, if necessary, it is possible to revive its population in nature.