Study of the Effect of Slope Position on Plant Biodiversity in the Forest of Salah al-Din Castle - Al-Haffa, Latakia Governorate

Abstract

This study was conducted during the spring of 2024 on the southern slope of Salah al-Din Forest (Al-Haffa region, Latakia Governorate) to evaluate plant biodiversity.

Twelve samples, 100 m², were taken( 6 upper slope, 6 lower slope), with ( 7 in coniferous and 5 in broadleaf forest sections). Vegetation surveys followed the Braun-Blanquet method, recording species presence, coverage, life forms, and dispersal strategies. Species richness, Shannon index, life forms, and dispersal types were statistically compared between sites

Results revealed non-significant differences (p>0.05) in species richness, Shannon index, and dispersal forms between upper and lower slopes. However, the coniferous section showed significantly higher values in species richness (p<0.05), Shannon index, and (H) herbaceous/perennial dispersal forms, while the broadleaf section dominated in (S) shrub climber dispersal types. Species similarity was low (Jaccard index: 35.21% between slopes; 23.36% between forest types). Zoochorous, anemochorous, and barochorous dispersal accounted And Epizoochore for >83%  of total dispersal strategies.