Population structure, biomass and pattern in a semi-desert shrub, Zygophyllum eurypterum, in the Turan Biosphere Reserve of north-eastern Iran.
Abstract
The dispersion, biomass and population structure of the semi-desert shrub Zygophyllum eurypterum were measured in a 1-ha sample of the Turan Biosphere Reserve of NE Iran. The density was 530 plants/ha and bushes covered 13% of the surface area. Biomass was estimated to be approx. 2.6 t/ha. Few small individuals were found in the area; this might be due to intraspecific competition or to grazing by domestic and wild herbivores. The regularity of dispersion of bushes supports the hypothesis of intra-specific competition as the primary limitation to the population.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>The dispersion, biomass and population structure of the semi-desert shrub Z. eurypterum were measured in a 1-ha sample of the Turan Biosphere Reserve of NE Iran. The density was 530 plants/ha and bushes covered 13% of the surface area. Biomass was estimated to be approx. 2.6 t/ha. Few small individuals were found in the area; this might be due to intraspecific competition or to grazing by domestic and wild herbivores. The regularity of dispersion of bushes supports the hypothesis of intra-specific competition as the primary limitation to the population.