The study looked at how different types of plants are distributed in Mighan playa in Iran. By using a method called Principal Component Analysis, the researchers found that the plants could be grouped into 9 ecological categories. They discovered that vascular and non-vascular plants tend to grow in separate areas. The texture of the soil, how much moisture it holds, organic matter, and lime content were the most important factors influencing where different plant groups grow. Each group of plants had a unique relationship with these soil factors.