Horizontal array study and plant cover zonation of Choghakhor wetland (W Iran)

For studying vegetation cover in Choghakhor wetland located in Chaharmahal-o-Bakhtiari province (W Iran)، some zones of vegetation life forms were determined and also digitized in order to produce the primary map of plant cover by using LISS-IV sensor of IRS satellite with the spatial resolution of 5. 8 m. As aquatic plants in Choghakhor wetland were fully grown، homogeneity or heterogeneity of vegetation units and their zones were measured based on quantitative characteristics of plants communities. Vegetation sites were evaluated from shore to water body by linear transects and sampled quantitative characteristics in 1 × 1 m quadrates at 10 and 20 m intervals. Frequency Presence Diagram was used in order to recognizing of zoning and horizontal array of wetland plants. Summing of species array based on water depth and dominated plant types were shown that wetland vegetation cover is distinguished to two main zones and one transitional zone. The result of this study indicates that the first zone dominates with emergent plants and continues from wetland shore to 0. 5 m depth of water. Transitional zone locates in the depth of 0. 5–1. 0 m. Last zone (from depth of 1–2 m) is in dominance of submerged plants.