Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Winter 2004

In this paper the main factors that influence the Caspian Sea level rising and the probable and improbable factors are discussed in detail. A cyclical behavior of the level of the Caspian Sea according to local records was proposed. This cyclic fluctuation of the sea level is the long-term behavior of the sea so that the investigation is not restricted to a specific time interval. The statistical data from water table that is the function of the atmospheric and climatologic conditions was also used. It was observed that although the countries located in the northern part of the sea have more effective control over the sea level, in order to have a fixed level and to prevent surplus situations such as flood and surcharge, all of the neighboring countries should perform unidirectional efforts. In a nut, the two following points were determined: Firstly it has been observed that this rising is instantaneous (or stochastic) rather than deterministic. Secondly the maximum sea level rising in the specific return period has been recorded.

The fisheries of bony fishes has an economic importance in southern part of Caspian Sea, but there are some reports about their pathogens in this area .EustrongyIides excisus a parasite (Nematoda: Dioctophymidae) can damage the muscles of bony fishes . So, consumers avoid buying the infected fish. Hence, the parasite can cause economic loss. In order to detennine the occurance and intensity of the parasite, a study has been carried out on twelve fish species (no=373) including Cyprinus carpio (no=42), Esox lucius (no=6t)) , Carassius auratus gibelio (no=42), Abramis brama orientalis (no=50) , Perca fluviatilis (no=36), Vimba Vimba persa (no=50) , Chalcalburnus chalcoides (no=50), Barbus capito (no=5) , Aspius aspius {no=5),Neogobius fluviatilis(no=14) , N.kessleri (no=12) and N.caspius(no=7). Common parasitology procedures were used for necropsy of the fishes and recovery of the parasite. Standard statistical computations (mean, Standard Deviation, range, prevalence and dominance) were calculated for the overall samples. Eustrongylides excisus (L) was isolated from Esox Iucius (prevaIence=5"/a, mean intensity = 5.33) and P. fluviatilis (prevalence= 33.3%, mean intensity= 1.5). The parasite was observed as coiled in cysts inside the muscles of these two fish species. The parasite was also isolated from the body cavity of Barbus capito, Aspius aspius and muscles, ovaries, body cavity, upon liver and testis of Neogobius fluvlatilis, Mkessleri and N.caspius. The Infection of Barbus cap.-‘ta, Asplus aspius, Neogobius fluviatilis, N.kessleri, N.casp.ius and perch (P. fluviafilis) is reported for the first time from Iran.

The purpose of this study is to determine the woody species diversity in Sweet chestnut tree, Hazel-tree and Italian cypress ecosystems in the Guilan forests. A lozeng 0.5 ha sample plot was selectively established on each site. In the Sweet chestnut ecosystems , 4 sites were classified, whereas 10 sites of Hazel tree and Italian cypress ecosystems were classified based on species composition. on each plot , physiographic data including elevation ,aspect , slope and floristic data including type of woody species and their populations (abundances) were recorded. Totally, 14 plots were taken from the 14 sites . Simpson?s and Shannon-Wiener's diversity indices were used to evaluate woody species diversity in the each site. At the same time ,evenness was calculated regarding Simpson's and Shannon-Wiener's indices for each site. species richness was characterized by means of Margalef?s (R1) and Menhinick's (R2) species richness indices. The results indicated that 22, 19and 20 woody species were found in the Sweet chestnut , Hazel tree and Italian cypress ecosystems, respectively. Diversity indices calculations showed that sites no.1 and 2 (Sheshad and Malaleh respectively, Duran,Shapharoud,Rezvanshahr) had the highest value of diversity of Sweet chestnut ecosystems, while sites no.3 and 4 (Visroud and Averes Koh respectively , Emamzadeh Ebrahim , Shapht) had the lowest, sites no.2 ( Chamlar, Baharestan, Astara ) and 5 (Ghalah- Bin , Agh-Evlar , Talesh) had the greatest value of diversity of Hazel tree ecosystems, while sites no.3 (Ab-Baglee , Baharestan , Astara) and 4 ( Ghalah- Bin , Agh- Evlar, Talesh) had the lowest. finally, in the Italian cypress ecosyetems , sites no.5 (Garmabdasht , Rahim-Abad , Roudsar ) and 3 ( north aspect of Mougshar , Siidan , Rahmat-Abad , Roudbar ) had the greatest value of diversity, while sites no.1 (northwestern aspect of Moughshar , Siidan , Rahmat-Abad , Roudbar ) and 2 ( eastern aspect of Moughshar , Siidan , Rahmat ?Abad , Roudbar ) had the lowest.   REFERENCES  Brockway, D.G. (1998). Forest plant diversity at local and landscape scales in the Cascade Mountains of southwestern Washington. Forest Ecology and Management, 109: 323-341.  Djavanshir, K. (1976). Atlas of the woody plants of IRAN. National Association of Natural Resources and Human Environment.Tehran, Iran, 162 p.  Halpem, C.B. and Spies. TA. (1995.) Plant species diversity in natural and managed forests of the Pacific Northwest. Ecology App|ication, 5: 913-934.  Heuserr, M.J.J. (1996). Putting diversity indices into practice. Assessment of Biodiversity for Improved Forest Planning. Proceedings, 10:  171-180  Krebs, C.J. (1989). Ecological methodology. Uni. of British Columbia, Harper Collins publishers. 432 p.  Ludwig, J.A. and Reynolds J.F. (1988). Statistical ecology. John Wiley and Sons, USA, 337 p.  Neumann, M. and Staning, F. (2001). The significance of different indices for stand structure and diversity in forests. Forest Eco|ogy Management, 142: 91-106.  Ojeda, F., Maranon, T. and Arroyo, J. (2000). Plant diversity patterns in the Aljibe Mountains. (S. Spain): a comprehensive account. Biodiversity and Conservation. 9: 1323-1343.  Pourbabaee, H. (1999). Biodiversity of woody species in the forests of Guilan province (western hyrcanian). Ph.D.thesis, Tarbiat modarres uni. Tehran, Iran, 255 p.  Zobiery, M. (1994). Forest inventory (measurement of tree and stand). University of Tehran, Iran, 401 p.  Maguran. A. (1988). Ecological diversity and its measurement. Princeton University Press. New Jersey. pp. 1-9.

The depletion of forest in developing countries due to extended pastures, agricultural land, fuel wood and etc. is a serious concern. Therefore planting trees for reforestation and extended forest area is a essential assignment. Forest plantation with a basic criterion affects to understory plant diversity. This effects may make some species absent or appear. The objective of this study is to assess the plant diversity of two different plantation which established by Pinus teada and Acer insign and compare with a natural forest stand which were similar in geographic and climatic conditions. Twenty sample plots with 32 square meters were randomly selected . In each plot all herbaceous species were recorded. Richness and Evenness of plant species calculated using the biodiversity indices (Simpson index and Margalov index). The obtained results showed that the value of plant diversity was higher in natural forest, while Acer plantation had the lowest value. The Richness and Evenness value were higher in natural forest stand, while Richness and Evenness value were lower for Pinus teada and Acer insign plantation respectively.

The success of the planted Alder (Alnus glutinosa) has been investigated in the east of Guilan province. The pure stands with 14 to 29 years old were planted close to 5.8 hectares (2 x 2 In). Studies were carried out on 61 plants and 619 testifier trees about quantity and quality aspects. The circle plots (857 - 961.5 square meters) were laid out with random- systematic method survey. The results indicate that the planted Alder (Alnus glutinosa) had the ability for plantation on Caspian Sea flat area for wood production. The necessity of wood increases day by day in Iranian economy, and trees can solve some of the problem.

Pest scenarios were framed for incidence of stem borer and leaf rust in wheat. presuming lowest to highest pest incidence at different growth stages of the crop. A Crop simulation model, Info Crop- wheat was coupled with damage mechanisms of stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) and leaf rust (Puccinia recondite). The model was calibrated and validated with the data of field experiments. The calibrated and validated model was then used for simulating various pest and disease scenarios at three locations viz Delhi, Barrackpore and Varanasi. Simulation results were used to devise iso-loss curves for stem borer and leaf rust individually and jointly for both pests. These curves showed combination of pest incidence and crop age, which resulted in same yield loss during different crop growth stages. These related pest damage levels to yield loss during various growth stages of the ‘crop. lso loss curves for stem borer revealed that crop became more prone to the pest with increasing crop age. Nitrogen application resulted in reduction of losses due to the pest up to 70-80 days after sowing (DAS). Likewise at Delhi and Varanasi, crop exhibited more proneness to rust incidence upto 60 DAS and nitrogen reduced losses due to disease. However crop showed more tolerance to disease with increasing crop age at Barrackpore. lso-loss curves for multiple pests (stem borer and leaf rust) were intermediates between the iso-loss curves for stem borer and leaf rust individually. These related pest damage levels to yield loss during various growth stages of the crop. Such curves can be used for pest monitoring and knowing the damage potential of pest population present on the crop at a given crop growth stage. Hence based on economic value of different loss levels such curves can help in deciding the need for control measures. This would be useful in rationalizing pesticide application. These can also be used for monitoring activity of multiple pests on the crop.

Glove factories, wastewater contains a large amount of latex which is not biodegradable. Latex wastewater can be treated through: aeration, chlorination, sulfonation, biological treatment, filtration, coagulation, ozon oxidation and using activated carbon. In this paper a new method for treating latex wastewater has been reported. Sulfuric acid has been used for separation of latex from wastewater. This method is compared with limits. The other advantages of this method are recovery of latex for other uses, decreasing coagulation and biological method. BOD and COD of the effluent are lower than DOE limits. The other more advantages of this method are recovery of latex for other uses, decreasing energy consumption and recovery of water.

The main purpose of pricing environmental goods is to enable them to be recognized as integral component of any economic system. The environmental values are not associated with production or consumption, and they are not exchanged in the markets. Examples are the benefits that people simply get from knowing something, such as a national park. Many environmental goods and services are not priced because the costs of consumption are not born by the producer or consumer. Environmental pollution impacts are cases taking place as a result of, for example, releasing waste products into water. Good air depends on the waste processing service of ecosystems. If this is not provided, washing expenses, infection, etc. will increase, because more particulates reside on the clothes, cars, and so on, and thus more people are subjected to diseases. This paper reviews the methods of valuing environmental non-rnarketed goods and services that are most discussed in recent economic literature, including: replacement costs, travel cost method. hedonic Pricing method, and contingent valuation method.