Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2008.752.757KoochYahya JalilvandHamid Ali BahmanyarMohammad Reza PormajidianMohammad 52008115 A TWINSPAN classification of 60 sample plots from
the Khanikan forest (North of Iran) is presented. Plant types were determined
from field observations and sample plot data arranged and analyzed in
association tables. The types were defined on the basis of species patterns
of presence, absence and coverage values. Vegetation was sampled with
randomized-systematic method. Vegetation data including density and cover
percentage were estimated quantitatively within each quadrate and using
the two-way indicator species analysis. The objectives of the study were
to plant type`s classification for Khanikan lowland forest in North of
Iran, Identification of indicator species in plant types and increase
our understanding in regarding to one of Multivariate analysis methods
(TWINSPAN). Five plant types were produced for the study area by TWINSPAN,
i.e., Menta aquatica, Oplismenus undulatifolius, Carex grioletia,
Viola odarata and Rubus caesius. Therefore, at each step of
the process, the program identifies indicator species that show strongly
differential distributions between groups and so can severe to distinguish
the groups. The final result, incorporating elements of classification
can provide a compact and powerful summary of pattern in the data set. ]]>Ajbilou, R., T. Maranon and J. Arroyo,200629104113Bairley, R.G.,197876650655Barbour, M.G.,19993rd Edn.,pp: 649pp: 649Barnes, B.V., K.S. Pregitzer, T.A. Spies and V.H. Spooner,198280193198Cain, P.D.,1959Dahdouh, F., J.G. Kairo, L.P. Jayatissa, S. Cannicci and N. Koedam,2002161123135Dollar, K.E., S.G. Pallardy and H.G. Garrett,19922213431350Dombois, D.M. and H. Ellenberg,1974Gauch, Jr. H.G. and R.H. Whittaker,198169537557Grant, C.D. and W.A. Loneragan,2001145255277Hedman, C.W., S.L. Grace and S.E. Ling,2000134233247Hill, M.O.,1979Pages: 90Pages: 90Host, G.E. and K.S. Pregitzer,19914387102Kashian, D.M., B.V. Barnes and W.S. Walker,20031667591Kent, M. and P. Coker,1996McCune, B. and M. Mefford,19991st Edn.,pp: 233pp: 233McNab, W.H., S.A. Browning, S.A. Simon and P.F. Fouts,1999114405420Mesdaghi, M.,20011st Edn.,pp: 161-179pp: 161-179Mesdaghi, M.,2005pp: 184pp: 184Monier, M. and G. Abed,20009499516Picard, N. and A. France,2003163175186Sebald, O.,1964146063Spies, T.A. and B.V. Barnes,198515961972Verlinden, A. and B. Dayton,200562143175Waite, S.,2000White, D.A. and C.S. Hood,200415151160Witte, J.P.M.,2002162199213Zahedi, G.H.,19981998