فهرست مطالب حسین مددی

Oak is a common and the most important species in Zagros forests of Iran. Zagros forests play a crucial and effective role in water supply, soil conservation and climate modification. Unfortunately, a significant part of those forests suffer from oak decline. Zagros forest covers almost 40% of Iran’s woodland which especially during the last two decades the population of oak trees (Quercus spp.) decreased mainly due to drought, diseases and insect pests. One of the most important pests in western oak forests is green oak leaf roller, Tortrix viridana L., (Lep.: Tortricidae) feed on oak leaves as the main host.  

This research aimed to assess and predict the degree of damage to the oak forests using remote sensing and GIS methods through regression analysis of the oak foliage remaining ratios of field plots with a vegetation indices of Sentinel-2 data during a year. Field monitoring carried on from April- 27-2020 to May-14-2020. For this purpose, in a two-kilometer-wide vector along the route from Sarovabad city to Bashmaq border, 100 sampling locations were randomly determined using GIS software. In each sampling location, four trees were selected in the four main geographical directions (in order to reduce the effect of directions on distribution of T. viridana population). Then, four branches (length about 100 cm) were randomly cut as a sampling unit, and the number of fifth instar larvae of T. viridana, were counted. The correlation between the number of T. viridana and elevation, slope, distance from the road, distance from the river, distance from residential areas, NDVI and solar radiation index were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test and multiple linear regression. Data normality was checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 26).

The results of Pearson's correlation analysis between the those variables and T. viridana population show the highest and lowest correlation of the T. viridana population with elevation (r= 0.651) and slope (r= -0.015), respectively. According to multiple linear regression, elevation had the highest correlation coefficient with T. viridana population density. In addition, solar radiation index, NDVI and distance from the river were ranked with strong to weak correlation, respectively. Results showed that, the relationship between slope and vegetation density is also significant (P= 0.032; r= 0.214). According to the distribution intensity map of the T. viridana, which was obtained using the multiple linear regression equation, it has been shown that the most distribution of the T. viridana was observed in the southwest of Sarovabad city. Clearly NDVI was convenient for separating different levels of damage.

It can be concluded that the population of T. viridana is obviously high at high altitude and in high tree densities. The results showed that the population density of T. viridana is higher wherever a dense vegetation was occurred. This research provided a feasible and quantitative method in the spatiotemporal prediction of green leaf roller occurrence by remote sensing and GIS. In conclusion, with the availability of population models, it is possible to limit the spread of T. viridana through earlier detection of pest incidence.

The competition for limited resources is a common ecological interaction among animals. In most of insect parasitoid communities, different species compete for specific resources both in larval and adult stages. Intraspecific competition play a role in the size, structure, stability of insect communities and even it determines the fitness of species. Moreover, understanding how competition influences on different insect species is essential for basic ecological studies and pest control issues. The outcome of competition between adult parasitoid insects depends on host finding, ability to disperse, reproductive capacity, ability to fight, and physiological coordination with the host.While the outcome of competition in the larval stage can be influenced by differences in the growth rate of the parasitoid, the stage and physiological state of the attacked host, the order and the time interval between oviposition and the evolutionary history of the species. Competition between larvae can affect the development of adult parasitoids because the surviving individual or winners might to pay high costs for competency due to quantitative and qualitative changes in host resources.

The current study was carried on to determine the effect of intraspecific competition on searching efficiency and oviposition strategy of Habrobracon hebetor Say on 4th instar larvae of Heliothis viriplaca (Lep.: Noctuidae) at seven competition and four adult density levels (1, 2, 3 and 4) of parasitoid wasps per the spring chickpea plant (c.v. Bionij). All plants were grown under controlled climate conditions (25 ± 1 °C, and a light period of 16: 8 hours). Then, 10 fourth instar larvae of H. viriplaca per plant were released and allowed to feed and establish prior starting the experiments (about three hours). Then, fertile female wasps with different densities (2, 3 and 4) in separate treatments and a control treatment without the presence of a competitor (one fertile female wasp per plant) introduced to each microcosm unit and after 24 and 48 hours, the number of parasitized and oviposited larvae on each host plant counted, but the number of eggs oviposited on each host larvae recorded at the end of 48 hours. All eggs laid at each competitive level were kept separately until the emergence of adults to record sex ratio and mortality rate.

The results showed that, the searching efficiency of H. hebetor decreased with increasing the level of competition, so that, the highest searching efficiency was recorded after 48 hours, in non-competitive treatment (control) and at a density of four parasitoid individuals as 0.178 ± 0.002 /hour and the lowest value at the level of competition 12 and density of two parasitoid females as 0.023 ± 0.004/ hour. As the density levels of parasitoid increased, the searching efficiency was decreased to a density level of three, but then it increased at four individuals per chickpea plant. The interaction effect of density × competition was not significant, in other words, these two factors independently influenced on searching efficiency of H. hebetor. Time had a positive effect on searching efficiency so that, at all levels of competition and at different densities of parasitoid wasp, the difference was statistically significant. With increasing density of H. hebetor per plant, at all competition levels, the oviposition rate was increased, which means that the simultaneous presence of several parasitoid individuals does not have any negative effect on oviposition rate. Competition had a negative effect on the oviposition rate of female H. hebetor, as the highest oviposition rate recorded at one individual and lowest competition level as 14.7 ± 2.1 eggs and the lowest rate occurred at four individuals per host plant and competition level of 12 as 6.4 ± 0.05 eggs. According to linear regression line equation, the interference coefficient was calculated as -0.134. The negative slope of the regression line indicates the existence of mutual interference between the H. hebetor adult females. In other words, the interaction had a slight negative effect on parasitoid searching. At all competition levels, regardless of density, sex ratio was not affected by competition and other factors sounds influential in this regard, however, the difference between the ratio of female to male population at competition levels of one and two was greater than other levels. Moreover, the mortality rate has increased with the increase of the level of competition, so that the lowest mortality percentage occurred at the level of one and two and the highest at the level of competition 10 and 12.

The occurrence of interference between parasitoid wasps in laboratory environments could not be used as indicative of real conditions, because high pest densities in field conditions moderate the intraspecific competition intensity among parasitoid individuals. Given the significant differences in searching efficiency and other factors studied, it can be concluded that the number of competing larvae in a host can affect the suitability and vigor of adult parasitoid wasps. It should be noted, however, that in some cases competition does not directly affect searching capability, but instead, by reducing other factors, such as morphological characteristics (body size, ovary size, number and size of eggs, size of hind legs, wing size), number of embryonic eggs, oviposition days duration, and other biological characteristics will influence on the searching abilities of parasitoids indirectly.The study of H. hebetor parasitoid wasp foraging behavior showed that in high densities, it avoids competing with other conspecific individuals. Anyway, regarding the prevalency of competition among released natural enemies in greenhouses and fields, the study of this interaction from laboratory to fields is being recommended.

Intercropping is defined as the simultaneous cultivating of two or more crops together at the same time within a field. It has many advantages like pest population reduction, which increases crop yield. This study compared the impact of additive intercropping kidney bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. with some aromatic plants on Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889 population. The treatments included kidney bean sole crop, 100 + 50 kidney bean + coriander Coriander sativum L., 100 + 50 kidney bean + ajwain Carum copticum L., 100 + 50 kidney bean + basil Ocimum basilicum L., and 100 + 50 kidney bean + dill Anethum graveolens L. There were six sampling dates at weekly intervals after onion thrips emergence on the leaves. Kidney and bean leaves were collected on each sampling date, and the number of thrips larvae or adults was recorded. Results showed that the intercropping system significantly influences the onion thrips population. The minimum and maximum thrips per leaf were recorded in kidney bean + basil mixed and kidney bean sole crop treatments (0.208 and 0.540 Thrips/leaf). Moreover, there was a significant negative relationship between the number of thrips and kidney beans yield. The highest yield was recorded in kidney bean + basil treatments (2756 kg/ha). Besides, intercropping increased the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of bean monoculture. For instance, all intercropping treatments had higher LER than kidney bean monoculture. Among the intercropping treatments, the kidney bean + basil treatment had the highest LER (1.433). Finally, intercropping kidney beans with some aromatic plants could be an eco-friendly strategy in integrated pest management.

During the investigations which were done to find Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) and Trioxys pallidus (Kaltenbach, 1843) parasitoid for one year (2018-2019) in Markazi province. Sampling of the parasitized aphids by direct observation method was collected from different plants ( fruit trees, greenhouse crops (pepper and cucumber) and weeds) and transferred to the laboratory. The parasitic aphids, along with the host plant and a damp cotton, were then placed in containers with small net nets that the insects could not pass through. The ambient temperature was set at 25 ° C for them. After a few days, some mummified aphids of parasitoid bees were hatched from inside the body and some other hyperparasitoid wasps were hatched from inside the body. These parasitoid and hyperparasitoid wasps were collected and placed in 75% alcohol and then Identify. A parasitoid wasp collected from M. persicae under the species Aphidius platensis Brethes, 1913 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a hyperparasitoid collected from this parasitoid also called Pachyneuron aphidis (Bouché, 1834) (Hymenoptera) The parasitoid wasp that emerged from the mummified aphids Chromaphis Juglandicola  was also identified as  Trioxys pallidus (Haliday, 1833) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). All three species are reported for the first time from Markazi province. A. platensis can be a good alternative to imported wasps in biological control against aphids in greenhouses.

Nabis pseudoferus is a major biocontrol agent of sucking pests and caterpillars. Life history parameters, consumption rate and cold storage of N. pseudoferus on three diets; Aphis gossypii, Ephestia kuehniella eggs, and Aphis gossypii + Ephestia kuehniella eggs were estimated at 25 ± 1°C temperature, 60 ± 10% R.H. and a photoperiod of 16:8 h. (L:D). The results revealed that the intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 0.033 ± 0.003, 0.043 ± 0.003 and 0.062 ± 0.002 day-1 which was significantly different in terms of feeding diets. Data analysis showed that the net predation rate (C0) of N. pseudoferus by feeding on cotton aphid and mixed diets of cotton aphid + Ephstia kuehniella eggs were 1347.95 ± 276.77 and 2259.62 ± 145.54, respectively. Additionally, hatching rate of N. pseudoferus eggs after cold storage at 5°C for 7, 14 and 21 days were 72.22, 69.23 and 69.23%, respectively. These results could be useful for optimizing rearing procedure of N. pseudoferus.

Hospitals as one of the most important sensitive populated areas must be located in areas within standard air quality. The aim of this study was assessing Abadan hospitals outdoor air quality affected by oil refinery using CALPUFF (California Puff) model.

This descriptive study was performed on the dispersion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the catalyst unit of Abadan oil refinery for 12 months of 2018. Upper and surface climate data, land cover map, physical properties of smokestacks and emission rate of pollutants were used as input data in CALPUFF modeling system.

Based on the results, the highest level of SO2-1hr occurred in January and in the other months this pollutant was higher than the standard limit. Maximum concentration of NO2-1hr was observed in January that was higher than the standard level. SO2-1hr and NO2-1hr had limited distribution in 1500 meters buffer of smokestacks. Outdoor air pollutants concentration in hospital areas were lower than the standards limit.

Admissible level of pollutants in the hospitals ambient outdoor was due to large area of oil refinery land and limitation of pollutants propagation in average monthly. Using advanced air pollution models can be useful in awareness increasing and the vulnerability reducing of medical centers.

Roads, as the main artificial linear structures in any landscape, have an important role in the vulnerability of natural ecosystems and their sustainability. The purpose of this research is to introduce a systematic method for ecological vulnerability assessment to be used in road site selection and environmental impact assessment procedure. Five steps of the vulnerability assessment are involved in this study; like determining the indices of vulnerability dimensions, calculating and mapping the indices, standardization of the indices, determining the vulnerability index and analysis of local variability. Lorestan province was selected as the case study due to its ecological properties and the presence of important road network to transfer goods and passengers. Indices like infrastructure fragmentation index, fractal dimension, residential neighborhood index, road traffic noise, erosion, topographic position index, and landscape connectivity index and dominance degree have been applied to quantify sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity as major components of the vulnerability. The findings show that the highest tension of road events is on the woodland habitat in 157270 ha. Besides, the regions with a high degree of sensitivity cover 28/1% (795132 ha) of the total study area. Wetland and temperate grassland habitats have the least adaptive capacity. Furthermore, the vulnerability classes in very low, low, moderate, high, and very high cover 2/5%, 52%, 42/1%, 3/1% and 0/3% of the total study area respectively. Therefore, approximately half of the province has the vulnerability degree in over average. This study showed the importance of the ecological vulnerability evaluation in environmental impact studies of development projects.