| Abstrakt: |
The ecological model of productivity-species richness relationships states that maximum species diversity occurs when species production is moderate, and there is a humped-back pattern between production as ecosystem energy variable and species richness. The discovery of this relationship leads to an understanding of the processes of biodiversity formation in ecosystems. To test this model, species production and richness were measured in the semisteppe ecosystem of Gharebough in the Anguaran wildlife refuge in Zanjan province. Correlation and linear and nonlinear regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between species richness as a dependent variable and productivity as an independent variable. A total of 41 plant species were identified in 30 plots. The average species richness per plot per square meter was calculated as nine species. The relative production percentages were 15% for shrubs, 16% for forbs, and 69% for grasses. The highest percentage of presence in the plots was allocated to Stipa lessingiana, Poa bulbosa, Astragalus stevenianus, and Bromus tomentellus. The total production of the species was calculated to be 83 g/m². Shrub production and forbs showed a significant linear regression relationship with species richness. Also, the shrub production had a significant nonlinear regression relationship with species richness, showing a humped-back pattern. The findings of this study showed that increasing production increases species richness and according to the values of the coefficient of explanation of regression relations (R2), in addition to the production factor, other important factors play a role in species richness. Therefore, this hypothesis cannot be confirmed on a local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
