Investigation on botanical and habitate characteristics of Ammodendron persicum

A vast area of country is covered by sand dunes and shifting sands in which threat the living of habitants in these regions. Biological control is a suitable method for sand dune fixation. So, it is essential to recognize the psammophyte plant species and their habitates. Ammodendron persicum is an species growing in a habitate in Zirkoh Qaen, east of Iran. In this investigation, botanical characteristics and habitate conditions of this plant was considered in terms of botany, topography, geomorphology, climatology, soil condition and plant vegetation. Ammodendron persicum is a prennial, shrub plant belongs to leguminosae family. It is cover about 134320 ha of sand dune area of this habitate. Three vegetation types including: Ammodendron, Ammodendron - Haloxylon and Haloxylon are separated in this habitate.The climatic condition of habitate is arid with average 150 mm of rainfall per year. Occuring high speed seasonal wind in this region causes wind erosion. Geologically, the habitate formed from sand dunes with different shapes and surrounding of habitate with Quarterner(Qt1 and Qt2), aluvial fan, and young and old terraces. The soil of this habitate has pH= 7.6. EC= 1 mmos/cm2, non structural, containing lime with neglagable gypsum. The depth of sand is between less than a meter to about 50 meters above sand dunes. There are 22 villages around this habitate with 16604 population in which their economy depend on agriculture. In general this habitate is important in this region in terms of sand fixation and providing possibility of living for habitants. Furthermore, Ammodendron seems to be a good species for planting in other sand dunes areas.Key words: Ammodendron persicum, Ammodendron habitate, Botanical characteristics, Climatic condition, Vegetation type, Soil characteristics.