Characteristics of Vegetation and GIS-Based Terrain Morphometric Analysis in the Beshbarmag State Historical, Cultural and Natural Reserve, Azerbaijan

This study aimed to assess the geobotanical characteristics of the vegetation cover of the Beshbarmag State Historical-Cultural and Nature Reserve and the impact of morphometric indicators of the relief on the spatial distribution of plant groups based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). During the study, geobotanical field observations were conducted, the main plant groupings were identified, and the cenopopulation characteristics of the species Pyrus salicifolia Pall., Ophrys caucasica Woronow ex Grossh., which are included in the Red Book of Azerbaijan, were assessed. Based on the digital relief model (DEM), slope and aspect maps were prepared in the ArcGIS Pro program, and the impact of these indicators on the spatial distribution of vegetation was analyzed. As a result of the study, ephemeral, arid sparse forest and petrophyte plant groups were distinguished in the area. It was determined that the northern and northeastern exposed slopes, which constitute the majority of the reserve area, create relatively favorable microclimatic conditions for the preservation of arid sparse forest groups characterized by the dominance of Pyrus salicifolia. On the rocky slopes with southern exposure, mainly xerophytic and petrophytic plant groups are widespread. The obtained results indicate that the integration of geobotanical data with GIS-based morphometric analyses is important for explaining the spatial differentiation of vegetation cover, assessing the habitat of rare plant species, and monitoring biodiversity in mountainous protected areas.