Effect of Conservation on Plant Species Diversity, Kurdistan, Western Iran

Abstract This study was carried out in the Boin and Miryousef regions in Baneh of Kordestan province, west of Iran. Both areas were divided into two parts including protected and unprotected areas. In each area, 20 1000-m 2 circular plots were established following a selective method. Tree and shrub species were identified and the number of these species was counted in each sampling plot. The results indicated that 7 trees, 4 shrubs and 109 herbaceous species were found in the studied areas, 40 herbaceous, 7 tree and 3 shrub species were present in protected area, while unprotected area had 16 herbaceous and 3 tree species. The highest value of diversity indices belonged to protected areas in all vegetation layers. In tree layer, Quercus brantii had the greatest value of SIV, whereas the lowest value belonged to Pistacia atlantica. In shrub layer, the highest and lowest values of SIV belonged to Daphne mezereum and Cerasus microcarpa, respectively. Finally, in herbaceous layer, Luzula spicata had highest value of SIV, and lowest value was belonged to Galium sp.Key Words: diversity, kurdistan province, plant species, protected area, richness