Comparison of flora, life forms and chorology in the two untouched and degraded sites in Beech forests (Case study: Shafaroud forests.Gilan,Iran)

In order to study on environmental changes effects on understory vegetation, two untouched and degraded sites were evaluated in Shafaroud forests. Three sampling plots (one hectare in each site) were selected and each plot divided to four sub-plots (10*10m).In each Sub-plot plant samples were collected and identified using different flora references. Results showed that a total 45 species were known from untouched areas that belong to 28 families and 39 genera. 32(71%) dicotyledones, 8 (18%) monocotyledones and 5 (11%) pterydophyta were identified. Lamiacea with four species was the highest number species.17 families have only one species. Flora of degraded site includes 74 species (60 (80%) dictyledones, 9 (12%) monocotyledones and 5 (8%) pterdophyta) that belong to 32 families and 62 genera. Asteraceae with 9 species are the most abundant in this area. Also 7 species of Lamiaceae family were identified in degraded area. hemichryptophytes are the most frequent life forms in the both areas. From the view of geographical distribution, plants of untouched area included 69% species belonging to Euro-Sibrean and only 2.5% species belonging to Cosmopolitan while in degraded area 51% and 3.5% species belaged to Euro-Sibrean and Cosmopolitan, respectively.