Ahmad Haj

• Biodiversity Journal, 6 (3): 673–682

  Lamis Eid, Ahmad Haj & Mohammad S. Abido
  The effects of afforestation and vegetation conversion on plant diversity: a case study in S-W Syrian Mountains

  ABSTRACT
  The effect of afforestation and conversion of natural vegetation on plant diversity was investigated in 4 sites in the South-Western Syrian Mountains. Plot and plotless sampling techniques were used to assess vegetation parameters within and outside afforested sites. The results of the survey indicated the presence of 80 species belonging to 70 genera and 24 families in the study area. Seventy five percent of the species were of medicinal and forage values where the remaining were of wild relatives of fruit trees. Therophytes and hemicryptophytes dominated plant communities in the all sites. Average species richness was 12.6 in open areas compared to 6.7 in forest tracts. Nine species were limited to forest plantations only. Shannon-Weiner diversity index was 63% greater in open than in afforested areas. Species similarity between open and afforested areas was 47%. Significant differences existed between afforested and open area sites with regard to the number of species and diversity index, however, no significant differences were observed among afforested sites nor among open area sites for measured parameters. It is concluded that afforestation and land conversion effect on the composition and structure of natural vegetation is obvious, however this effect is highly variable. It is recommended that afforestation and land conversion operations be integrated into national strategies for biodiversity conservation in the country to maintain habitats and minimize loss of native species.

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