Blogs / Long-term effect of oil mulch on richness and biodiversity of soil macro-fauna and vegetation in Jask, Iran

Long-term effect of oil mulch on richness and biodiversity of soil macro-fauna and vegetation in Jask, Iran

February 27, 2025

Abstract:

Several provinces in Iran are subjected to the invasion of moving sands during permanent and seasonal wind blowing. In this research, the effect of oil mulch on biodiversity, richness, and evenness indices of soil macrofauna and vegetation has been investigated in the Jask region. The research data included density, canopy, and richness of vegetation, as well as the richness and biodiversity of soil macrofauna. Vegetation was sampled using 60 plots with an area of 5×5 m², and soil macrofauna was investigated using 80 pit traps (glasses containing 50% polyethylene glycol). Richness and biodiversity indices were calculated using Past software. Results showed that the richness of soil macrofauna in mulched areas in autumn and spring was 2.9 and 16.5 times higher than the control area, respectively. Shannon’s and Simpson’s biodiversity indices related to autumn were 3.6 and 3.1 times higher than the control area in mulched areas, respectively. Results of oil mulch effect on richness and biodiversity of vegetation in mulched and control areas indicated similar plant diversity after 10 to 14 years since the mulching process in the studied areas.

Authors:

F. Jafari (Department of Arid Land Forestry, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran)
D. Kartoolinejad (Department of Arid Land Forestry, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran)
M. Amiri (Department of Arid Land Forestry, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran)
M. Shayanmehr (Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran)
M. Akbarian (Assistant professor of Physical Geography, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran)

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