Armeno-Iranian Quercus brantii Forest
Also described as Zagrosian Forest after the Zagros Moutains, these forests characterize much of the southern Armenian, Kurdistanian and Zagrosian sectors of Iran. They require fairly regular summer precipitation, which usually comes in the form of thunderstorms. Their upper altitudinal limit is about 2000 m and extends down to 700 m in northwestern Kurdistan. In Places Quercus brantii is joined by other oak species such as Q. boisseri, Q. iberica and Q. infectoria, while other characteristic trees and shrubs include Acer cinerascens, Amelanchier integrifolia, Amygdalus communis, Berberis integerrima, Celtis tournefortii, Cerasus microcarpa, Crataegus azarolus, Daphne angustifolia, Fontanesia phyllireoides, Fraxinus oxyphylla, Juniper oxycedrus, Lonicera nummulariaefolia, Pyrus syriaca, Rhamnus kurdica, Sorbus integrifolia and several endemic or near endemic taxa such as Amygdalus elaeagnifolia, Pyrus glabra (Roseaceae) and Fraxinus rotundifolia subsp. persica (Oleaceae). These forests are rich in fruit trees and possibly represent the original vegetation of the Garden of Eden which certain scholars believe really existed.
Armeno-Iranian Kopetdagh Short-Tree (Fruit) Woodland (Shiblyak Communities)
Short-tree woodland dominated by Paliurus spinochristi or the endemic Acer turcomanicum (Aceraceae) is characteristic of the southwestern part of the Kopetdagh Mountains. At altitudes between 300-800 m on moist northern slopes and along the beds of temporary streams Paliurus is the main species. It forms a canopy to heights of up to 5 m, while the under story is composed of shrubs such as Colutea gracilis, Jasminum fruticans, Rubia florida and Rhamnus sintenisii. The ground layer includes species such as the endemic herbs Cousinia albiflora (Asteraceae) and Phlomis kopetdaghensis (Lamiaceae). Woodlands dominated by Acer turcomanium are found at altitudes between 800 – 2500 m. These have a lower canopy down to about 3 m. Typical understory shrubs include Amygdalus communis, Celtis caucasica and Cotoneaster nummularia, while the ground layer is usually composed of mesophilic meadow grasses such as Trisetum flavescens and herbaceous taxa like Allium paradoxum, Fritillaria raddeana, Orthurus heterocarpus and the near endemic Lamium turkestanicum (Lamiaceae). Parts of this zone is also be dominated by hawthorns, usually Crataegus pseudoambigua, but also C. melanocarpa, C. pontica or C. turkestanica. However, a very special feature of these short-tree woodlands in general is the large numbers of fruiting trees, shrubs and vines they support. These include pomegranate (Punica granatum), wild grapes (Vitis sylvestris and V. vinifera), mulberry (Morus alba), jujube (Zyzyphus jujuba), fig (Ficus carica), wild cherries (Cerasus erythrocarpa, C. microcarpa and the endemic C. blinovskii), wild plum (Prunus divaricata), quince (Cydonia oblonga), meddlar (Mespilus germanica), almonds (Amygdalus communis and the endemic A. scoparia), the endemic apple (Malus turkmenorum) and the endemic wild pear (Pyrus boissieriana).
Armeno-Iranian Juniperus turkomanica Woodland
Woodland dominated by the endemic Juniperus turkomanica (Cupressaceae) are mainly confined to inaccessible mountain ridges in the Kopetdagh Mountains.
Armeno-Iranian Semi-Desert Open Woodland
Open woodland dominated by Pistacia atlantica the endemic Pistacia khinjuk (Anacardiaceae) and various Amygdalus species including the endemic A. eburnum and A. erioclada (Rosaceae) occur all around the central Afghan Mountains as well as the eastern Zagros and southern Elburz mountains. In the Touran Biosphere Reserve, Amygdalus scoparia, Cerasus microcarpa and Pistacia khinjuk form open woodlands and occasional dense stands that can reach about 4 m in height. Associated species include Acanthophyllum sordida, Aegopordon berardioides, Atraphaxis spinosa, Bunium persicum, Cousinia onopordioides, Eremus leteus, Galium setaceum, Jurinea carduiformis, Lepyrodiclis holosteoides, Minuartia meyeri, Pennisetum orientale, Rheum ribes, Scandix stellata and the endemic Acantholimon talagonicum (Plumbaginaceae.
Armeno-Iranian Mountain Riparian Woodland
These are mainly confined to humid river valleys in the Kopetdagh Mountains at elevation between 1000-1500 m. They are variously dominated by Fraxinus syriaca (Syrian ash), Juglans regia subsp. turcomanica (walnut) or Ulmus carpinifolia (elm). Understory shrubs include Lonicera floribunda, Rosa lacerans and Rubus sanguineus, while typical herbaceous ground species are Anisantha sterilis, Anthriscus longirostris and Physocaulis nodosus. Rare and endemic orchids such as Epipactis veratrifolia and Ophrys transhyrcana (Orchidaceae) may also be encountered. In the more humid zones hygrophytic species like Mentha longifolia and the horsetail Equisetum ramosissimum are common. There are also several wild vine species including Vitis silvestris, which often embraces tree crowns to heights of 10 m, Periploca graeca, a Mediterranean-Caucasian species, and the ancient relict Malacocarpus crithmifolium (Peganaceae). The latter is found in several disjunct locations in Middle Asia.
Armeno-Iranian Steppe Forest
This vegetation chiefly comprises various species of Amygdalus, such as the endemic or near endemic A. carduchorum, A. eburnea, A. elaeagnifolia, A. ericlada, A. haussknechtii, A. kotschyii and A. scoparia (Rosaceae), together with Acer cinerascens, Cerasus prostratus, Juniperus polycarpos, Lycium barbatum, Paliurus spina-christi and a number of other endemic or near endemic taxa such as Acer monspessulanum subsp. persicum (Aceraceae), Cotoneaster persica (Rosaceae), Daphne stapfii (Thymelaeaceae), Pistacia khinjuk (Anacardiaceae) and Rhamnus persica (Rhamnaceae). Acer and Pistacia are frequently arboraceous, but by and large, the vegetation forms an open xeromorphic scrub. The open structure allows the occurrence of many steppe and semi-steppe species. Although fairly fragmented it is widely distributed on Iran’s mountainous ridges with well-developed communities on the southern slopes of the Elburz Mountains and eastern slopes of the Zagros Mountains. Its upper altitudinal limit is about 3000 m, but the lower limit is somewhat varied depending on precipitation levels.
Armeno-Iranian Thorn Cushion Formations
Open thorn cushion vegetation covers large areas in the sub alpine zones of the Kopetdagh and Elburz mountains and the ranges of the Kurdistan and Zagros mountains. They include scores of spiny species of Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae), Acanthophyllum (Caryophyllaceae), Astragalus (Fabaceae) and Onobrychis (Fabaceae). These formations are often generally described as tragacanthic vegetation. They represent an adaptation to the hostile conditions of highland deserts and often display extremely low rates of annual growth, but certain species can live for over 100 years. They also often display high levels of local endemism. Of the 38 species found in the Kopetdagh Mountains 28 are local endemics confined to this mountain range. There appears to have been a migration of cushion plant species from the arid Iranian Plateau, which is considered to be a centre of speciation of highland xerophytes. In Kopetdagh the most common species are from the genera Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae), Acanthophyllum (Apiaceae) and Tragacantha (Fabaceae). All are extremely spiny. The few non-spiny species are Asperula balchanorum and the two endemic species Gypsophila aretioides (Caryophyllaceae) and Dionysia kossinskyi (Primulaceae). Dionysia is considered to be a relict genus represented by just four extant species. Gypsophila aretioides represents the ultimate evolution of a cushion plant. Its callous-like structure is so hard that it cannot even be destroyed by gunshot. Characteristic species of the Elburz Mountains include many endemic or near endemic taxa such as Acantholimon bodeanum, A. cephalotoides, A. demawendicum, A. dianthifolium, A erinaceum, A. festucaceum, A. gadukense, A. hohenackeri, A. ophiocladum, A. rudbaricum (Plumbaginaceae), Acanthophyllum microcephalum (Apiaceae), Aethionema stenopterum (Brassicaceae), Arenaria gypsophiloides (Caryophyllaceae), Astragalus curviflorus, A distans, A. fasciculifolius, A. glaucacanthus, A. gossypinus, A. kurdicus, A. microcystis, A. mucronifolius, A. naftolskyi, A. semipellitus (Fabaceae), Fibigia multicaulis (Brassicaceae), Minuartia juniperina (Caryophyllaceae), Onobrychis cornuta, Phlomis armeniaca (Lamiaceae), Prangos uloptera (Apiaceae), Sameraria aarmena (Brassicaceae), Scutellaria pinnatifida (Lamiaceae), Vicia persica (Fabaceae).
Armeno-Iranian Artemisia Desert
These highly xerophytic, sparse formations are mainly dominated by either Artemisia fragans or A. herba-alba and represent one of the most characteristic vegetation types of the Irano-Turanian Region covering large areas of the Iranian Central Plateau and the highlands of the Armeno-Azerbaijan zone. The flora is fairly rich and includes many endemic or near endemic taxa like Acantholimon stocksii (Plumbaginaceae), Convolvulus leptocladus (Convolvulaceae), Euphorbia connata (Euphorbiaceae), Heliotropium crassifolium (Boraginaceae), Phlomis aucheri (Lamiaceae) and Salvia hypochionaea (Lamiaceae). In northern Afghanistan and in northeastern Iran these Artemisia communities intergrade with giant umbellifera formations comprising species like Ferula foetida and the endemic Ferula badrakema (Apiaceae), and areas characterized by the endemic Pteropyrum aucheri (Polygonaceae).
Armeno-Iranian Calligonum-Stipagrostis Desert
Large areas of mobile dunes in the Persian Desert and in parts of the Afghan Desert are characterized by species of Calligonum, especially C. comosum, and Stipagrostis such as S. pennata, but several other species of Calligonum may be present such as C. amoenum, C. intertextum, C. microcarpum, C. persicum and C. turkestanicum. However, many of these desert areas are largely bare sand with percentage cover of vegetation ranging from 1-10%, but in some of the more stable areas it may be up to 25%. Other perennial species include Eremostachys regeliana, Pennisetum divisum and Stipagrostis karelinii; while among the many annuals are Agriophyllum minus, Euphorbia cheirolepis, Cithareloma lehmanii, Diplotaxis harra, Isatis minima, Spirorhynchus sabulosus and the two endemic species Sameraria elegans and Sterigmostemum acanthocarpum (Brassicaceae).
Armeno-Iranian Halocnemum strobilaceum Saltmarsh
This forms the bulk of the halophytic vegetation of this BioProvince covering vast areas of salt flats in both the littoral and inland areas where there is high salinity and a high water table. For example, extensive stands occur on the fringes of the Kavirs of the Central Plateau of Iran and there are large marshes on the Bushahr coastal plain in Bandar Abbas and on the margins of Lake Darya yi Namak at the northern edge of the Great Kavair south of Semnan. These marshes are centers of diversity for Chenopodiaceae, which in addition to Halocnemum strobilaceum commonly include Halotis occulta, Salsola gemmascens and Suaeda aegyptiaca. Other characteristic species are the grass Aeluropus lagopoides andmany endemic or near endemic taxa like Bienertia cycloptera, Halocharis sulphurea and Salsola arbuscula (Chenopodiaceae), Heliotropium samoliflorum (Boraginaceae), Limonium carnosum (Plumbaginaceae) and Reaumuria persica (Tamaricaceae).
Armeno-Iranian Tamarix Saltmarsh
Halophytic vegetation dominated by various species of Tamarix is, after Halocnemum saltmarsh, the second most abundant vegetation of saline soils, particularly in saline riverbeds, saline sandy soils and in the estuaries of the central depressions. Examples can be found on the edges of Lake Howz Sultan, on the northern fringes of the Great Kavir, and south of Shahrud and Orumieh Lake. Characteristic species include several endemic or near endemic Tamaricaceae such as Tamarix hispida and T. passerinoides. Other common species may include Alhagi maurorum and Prosopis farcta. A variety of Tamarix associations or sub-associations have been recorded. On the foreshore and alluvial plains of the Persian Gulf (SW Iran) three types have been recognised – (Tamarix leptopetala saltmarsh), (Tamarix arceuthoides and Tamarix tetragyna saltmarsh), and (Tamarix leptopetal and Tamarix tetragyna saltmarsh), and on Orumieh Lake (NW Iran) a further three have been recognised – (Tamarix meyeri saltmarsh), (Tamarix meyeri and Tamarix octandra saltmarsh) and (Tamarix octandra saltmarsh). After Halocnemum saltmarsh, Tamarix saltmarsh, particularly (Tamarix meyeri saltmarsh) and (Tamarix. meyeri and Tamarix octandra)saltmarsh, is the most important vegetation unit at Orumieh.
Further information required.
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