International Journal of Agricultural Science Research Vol. 3(6), pp. 080-088, June 2014 ISSN 2327-3321 ©2014 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Natural vegetation cover of some locations in Duhok Governorate as affected by elevations and aspects

Khalid Ismail Saleem Besefky¹, Younis M. Q. Al-Alousy² and Ahmed Salih Khalaf¹*

¹Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Duhok, Zakho way, Duhok, Iraq.

²College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, Al-Majmoa'a Street, Mosul, Iraq.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: asbabawat@yahoo.com.

Accepted 27 June, 2014

Abstract

This research involved general covering percentages in four locations (Bikher Mountain, Benarink Mountain, Derke Mountain and Gara Mountain) of Duhok governorate during the spring of 2009. Three central points were allocated in each elevation at south and north aspects. The elevations comprised from 600 masl up to 1300 masl. The highest mean of covering percentage for the studied area was recorded for herbs (27.13%), followed by trees (21.93%), rocks (13.72%), grasses (13.47%), litter (10.38%), soil (8.91%), and finally the lowest covering percentage recorded was for shrubs (4.47%). The south aspect recorded the highest mean values (14.69, 27.19 and 4.63) for grasses, herbs and shrubs percentages respectively as compared to the north aspect (12.25, 27.06 and 4.131), but was only significant in grasses percentage. On the other hand, the north aspect recorded the highest mean values for trees, litter, bare soil, and rocks percentages as compared to the south aspect, but the differences were not significant except for trees percentage. The highest grasses percentage was recorded in higher altitude of 1100 and 1200 masl (15.25 and 15.0%) and significantly differed with other elevations except 700 masl, and the lowest value was recorded in mid elevation of 800 masl which was 12.0%. In contrast, the highest herbs percentage was recorded in the lowest altitude at 600 masl which was 34.50% and significantly differed with other altitudes especially 1300 masl which recorded the lowest value of 22.75%. The highest mean value of trees (29.25%) was recorded at elevation of 1200 masl, and significantly differed with other elevations especially at 600 masl (11.5%), but the highest percentage of shrubs was recorded at mid altitude (9.5% at 900 masl) compared to lowest value of 2.5% at 600 masl. Bare soil and rocks percentages were the highest in lower altitude of 12.25% and 17.75% in 600 masl respectively and significantly differed with other altitudes (except the 700 masl).

Key words: Duhok governorate, mountain, south, north, elevation.