Salt marshes and salt deserts of SW Iran

Using the Braun-Blanquet approach. 13 plant communities of the Persian Gulf salt marshes were distinguished oil the SM. Iran Vegetation types have been defined by physiognomic-floristic system. These have been assigned to the following five main groups Of communities (1) Woody shrub and perennial halophytic communities (Class Suaedetea. fruticosae) including 3 association, (2) Semi-woody shrub and perennial halophytic communities (Class Halocnemetea strobilacei) including 4 associations and I subassociation, (3) Hydrophilous halotolerant communities (Class Phragmitetea) including I association, (4) Salt marsh brushwood communities (Class Tamaricetea) including 3 associations, (5) Woody shrub and perennial halotolerant communities (Class Anabasetea articulatae) including I association. The soil of these communities was analysed and their habitats described and discussed.