فهرست مطالب حسین مصطفوی

Alterations in river systems are inevitable and affect theenvironment. Rivers have played a very important role in creating and maintaining life on theearth since a long time ago. In other words, rivers are vital for sustaining life and ecosystems,providing essential freshwater for irrigation, drinking, and industry. However, humaninterventions including changes in land use patterns, construction near rivers, exploitation ofwater resources, and flood and storm management have significantly impacted on these crucialenvironmental systems. They can actually alter the spatial distribution and velocity ofgeomorphological processes such as sediment transport, erosion, and deposition, consequentlyleading to significant changes in river morphology. Therefore, assessing their morphologicalquality is important for their management and restoration. In this study, morphologicalassessment from the upstream to the midstream of the Talar River as a pilot has been conductedusing the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) to evaluate the morphological status.

First, Talar River was divided into two landscape units, three segmentsand 23 reaches based on the hierarchical approach and according to the physiographiccondition. Then, geomorphological functionality, artificial structure and Indicators of channeladjustment have been assessed by MQI which includes 28 parameters.

The results obtained from 28 MQI parameters in 23 reaches showedthat about 15% of the reaches have a "good" condition; almost 35% have a "moderate"condition, and more than 50% have "poor" and "very poor" conditions. Based on the assessmentalong the Talar river, the areas that are in the urban area due to the large amount of agriculture,urban development and road crossing have poor and very poor morphological quality class, andthe areas that are in the forest area are natural and have good morphological quality. Also, theresults of the assessment indicate that the average quality class of the investigated reaches is in"moderate" conditions.

The results show that most reaches of Talar River requires urgent measures for itsrestoration. In addition, although the MQI method can be appropriate and effective tool indiagnosing hydromorphological challenges. However, it is not still enough for an integratedmanagement and restoration, and it should be integrated with other indices regarding humanpressures i.e. water quality, hydrological and biological pressures.

The phenomenon of climate change due to the expansion of human industrial activities is rapidly advancing, and via disrupting ecological processes and destroying the habitats, has caused extinction of many fishes and reducing the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. This study predicts the distribution of Ponticola gorlap under two climate scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) for the years 2050 and 2080 using the MaxEnt model. Five climatic and environmental variables, including annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, annual temperature range, flow accumulation, and slope, were utilized for forecasting. The model demonstrated excellent performance (AUC criterion: 0.969) in predicting species distribution. Annual temperature range identified as the most influential variable (importance score: 57/5) in determining the species' distribution. Moreover, the study forecasts a significant decrease in the distribution of P. gorlap under both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios for the years 2050 and 2080. As climate change intensifies and suitable habitat ranges diminish, the species faces an elevated risk of extinction in the future. Hence, experts and policy-makers should focus more on conservation measures.

Considering the special role of freshwater ecosystems and aquatic species on the sustainability of food security and livelihood of local communities, the evaluation and protection of these natural resources is of great importance. In the current study, the distribution of the Roach (Rutilus lacustris) was predicted under two optimistic and pessimistic (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) scenarios of 2050 and 2080 by Maxent model. The set of data collected by the authors and various available scientific sources from a period of 50 years (1970 to 2020 AD) was used. Also, the environmental and climate variables used in the modeling were extracted and prepared from www.worldclim.org. The results showed that the performance of the model in predicting species distribution was excellent (0.910) based on the AUC (Area Under the Curve) criterion. According to the jackknife test, annual temperature range variable had the greatest impact (54.7) on determining the distribution of the studied species among the environmental variables used in modeling. In addition, it is predicted that under climate change the distribution of the species is likely to decrease significantly in years 2050 and 2080, optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Also, the highest severity is the pessimistic scenario of 2080 (62.05 %). Therefore, control and reduce the effects of climate change in order to prevent the destruction of riverine ecosystems and preserve valuable edible fish is necessary.

The climate system is changing at an unprecedented rate in the world. Climate change is having significant impacts on freshwater ecosystems and the fish species that inhabit them. The main purpose of this studywas forecasting the distribution of northern pike, Esoxluciusin the Caspian Sea basin under two optimistic (RCP 2.6) and pessimistic (RCP 8.5) scenarios of 2050 and 2080 by the MaxEnt model in R software. Five environmental variables including, annual mean temperature, temperature annual range, annual precipitation, flow accumulation, and slope were used for the modeling.The obtained results demonstrated that the performance of the model in predicting species distribution was "excellent"(0.977) based on the AUC (Area Under the Curve) criterion.Moreover, the results indicate that the distribution range of northern pike is likely to be reduced by 2050 and 2080 under the both optimistic and pessimistic climate change scenarios. In conclusion, the decreasing distribution of this fish, which is a commercially important and interesting species in sport fishing, poses a serious threat to food security and livelihoods. Therefore, policy makers should pay more attention to conservation and stock management of this species in the future.

Riverine ecosystems and aquatic animals have suffered many pressures due to the increase of human industrial activities and subsequent climate changes. In the present study, changes in the distribution range of the bream fish (Abramis brama) inhabiting the rivers of the southern Caspian Sea basin in the years 2050 and 2080 under optimistic and pessimistic climate scenarios were assessed by using the MaxEnt model. This study utilized datasets collected by the authors and various scientific resources available over 50 years (1970-2020). According to the receiver operating characteristics curve, and area under curve (AUC), the model performance in predicting species distribution was excellent (AUC = 0.947). Furthermore, modeling results indicated a significant likely decrease in the distribution of this species under both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, in both periods of 2050 and 2080, with the highest predicted reduction percentage of 98.71% under the pessimistic scenario in 2080. Given the importance of the bream fish in the food chain and its positive impact on the economy and livelihoods of local communities, conservation efforts such as preventing overfishing, developing conservation strategies to cope with future events, and striving to reduce climate change accelerators are recommended for the protection of this valuable species.

The Environmental variables are considered as important factors determining habitat preference and selection by fishes in the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, it seems essential to know the habitat requirements of inhabiting species. This study in summer on Kesilian River, one of the considerable sub-basins of the Talar River in the north of country, was selected to investigate the habitat preferences of Kora Barbel (Barbus lacerta) at various ages. According to the diverse habitat characteristics, three sites were selected on the stream, and then samplings were carried out at 211 points using an electroshocker. At each point, environmental parameters including speed, depth, and type of biotic and abiotic substrate were measured and determined. The results showed that this species has different habitat preferences at different ages. General preferences of this species took place in the speed range of 15-76 cm/s and the depth of 45-75 cm. Preference for abiotic and biotic parameters of substrates included "block", "cubble" and coarse and fine particulates organic matter, wood and living parts of terrestrial plants, respectively. Regression logistic indicated that the variables including velocity and abiotic parameters of substrate are the most important factors in presence of this species in the stream. In general, the diverse environmental conditions of the stream have provided different habitat preferences for this species at different ages.

Natural habitats around the world have suffered a lot of pressure due to the increase in human industrial activities in order to achieve economic-welfare goals, by changing in the climate system, and the consequences of this event include the extinction of species and the reduction of biodiversity on a global scale. In this regard, the evaluation of the threats resulting from the changes created in the ecosystems will be pivotal to their management and conservation. In this study, the distribution of Rutilus kutum was predicted under two optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of 2050 and 2080 by Maxent model. In this study, the set of data collected by the authors and various available scientific sources from a period of 50 years (1970 to 2020 AD) was used. Also, the environmental and climate variables used in the modeling were extracted and prepared from www.worldclim.org.The results showed that the performance of the model in predicting species distribution was excellent (0.946) based on the AUC (Area Under the Curve) criterion. In addition, it is predicted that the distribution of the species is likely to decrease significantly in all years and optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Therefore, considering the importance of the sim species in the food basket and its positive effect on the livelihoods of local communities, reducing its distribution in the future could be considered a threat to food security. In conclusion, the protection of this species requires urgent planning, actionable decisions and effective measures regarding the preservation and restoration of rivers, controlling the negative effects of climate change and efforts to reduce the accelerating factors of this critical phenomenon.

Increasing evidence indicates the detrimental effects of obesity and hyperlipidemia on sperm quality. The degree of reversibility of these quality changes in studies is different. One of the properties attributed to cinnamon in traditional medicine is to reinforce fertility. This study was designed to investigate the effect of cinnamon extract on sperm parameters in hyperlipidemia conditions.

In order to conduct research, 36 male rats were allocated into six groups: control, model, vehicle, lovastatin, cinnamon with low dose (130 mg) and high dose (260 mg). Animals of all groups, except the control group, received high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Then the treated groups (groups 3 to 6) received their treatment intra-peritoneally for 6 weeks along with normal diet. At the end of the study, lipid profile and sperm parameters were evaluated.

Cinnamon extract with a low dose was effective in reducing serum cholesterol and triglyceride, and high dose of cinnamon was effective in reducing serum LDL. Using a high-fat diet had no effect on the number, motility and morphology of sperm, and pre-treatment with both doses of cinnamon extract had a decreasing effect on sperm count and had no effect on sperm motility and morphology.

It seems that cinnamon as a pre-treatment has beneficial and reducing effects on serum lipid profile. But in this study, cinnamon had no improving effects on sperm parameters in hyperlipidemic conditions. The difference between the obtained results and the results of previous studies needs further investigation.

Although estuaries are considered as one of the most fertile ecosystems in the world, today they are under the influence of various threats and one of them is hydrological changes. In this study, by using the IHA hydrological change indicators, the changes in the hydrological regime in two statistical periods "natural flow regime" and "altered flow regime" were investigated in Soleiman Tange and Kordkheil hydrometric stations in Tejan watershed (Mazandaran province). Based on the IHA method, a total of 67 statistical parameters have been estimated by "IHA7 software"; these parameters are divided into two groups of indicators of (IHA) hydrological changes in the target range of (RVA) and the environmental flow component of EFC. According to the results, the minimum days of flow in the period before the construction of the dam is 227.5 days, while in the period after the construction of the dam, it is 48.5 days, and the number of days when the minimum flow occurs before the construction of the dam is 351 days. It has decreased to 286 days after the construction of the dam, so the annual limit flows in the Tejan River have experienced disturbances and moderate changes. Considering that the change in the hydrological indicators of the flow is mainly influenced by the construction of the dam, therefore the hydrological management of the dam will have a great effect on the ecological condition of the Tejan river estuary.

The reduction of biodiversity and its adverse effects on plant and animal species is one of the consequences of global warming.  The wide spread of non-native species has inherent negative effects on other species and ecosystems and may pose a double and more serious threat to biodiversity in the future due to climate change. Knowing the future distribution of these species can be used for biodiversity conservation. In the current study, the distribution of non-native stone moroko fish was predicted under two optimistic and pessimistic (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) scenarios for the years 2050 and 2080 by the MaxEnt model. The results showed that the performance of the model in predicting species distribution was excellent (0.988) based on the Area Under the Curve (AUC) criterion. In addition, it is predicted that the distribution of the species is likely to increase significantly (more than 100%) in all years and optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Therefore, managers and decision-makers should consider the significant expansion of this species in the future as well as, its potential effects on biodiversity and take necessary and appropriate management actions.

Since climate change is one of the most important and biggest threats to nature and biodiversity, it makes it difficult to manage and protect species. Predicting and determining its effects will considerably help to provide appropriate protection solutions as well as management plans. In the present study, the impacts of climate change on the distribution of Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi species were forecasted by using the MaxEnt model in the R software environment. The environmental variables included slope, temperature annual range, flow accumulation, annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, and upstream drainage area. According to the results, the performance of the model in predicting the species was excellent (0.989) based on the AUC (Area Under the Curve) criterion. Moreover, the annual mean temperature and slope have been the most important environmental variables in determining the distribution of this species, respectively. In addition, the distribution range of this species will decrease in both the optimistic (RCP 2.6) and pessimistic (RCP 8.5) scenarios of 2050 and 2080. In conclusion, in order to protect this species, it is necessary for decision-makers to identify and implement appropriate actions in order to adapt the effects of climate change and reduce the related threats.

However the role of water in sustainable development is vital, the launched infrastructure projects of Integrated Water Resources Management Plans in recent years have not been able to completely maintain the balance between human consumption for socio-economic activities and the water needs of natural ecosystems to guarantee the sustainable life for riverine ecosystems. In this regard, this research investigated the hydrological effects and ecological consequences of the construction of dams in the upstream basin of Jiroft Dam as the key water supply zone in the western Jazmurian watershed, which is also known as Halil-Rud River.

In this research, the significance of the long-term changes of the mean annual discharge in the rivers of the study area at the hydrometric stations of Solatni, Baft, Hanjan, Meydan, Qale-Rigi, Konarooiye and Hossein-Abad, as well as the alterations in the mean annual precipitation of rainfall gauges in the period of 38 years (1980-2018) have been analyzed by Mann-Kendall Test and then 33 hydrological parameters (based on the daily discharge of Hossein-Abad hydrometric station in the mentioned period) as indicators of ecological needs (which is affected by the Baft and Jiroft reservoir dams) have been analyzed by using the variability range approach and IHA software in two periods before and after the construction of the dams.

According to the Mann-Kendall test results, although the mean annual discharge in the rivers upstream of Jiroft dam has had a significant drop at the level 95 and 99% of discharge during the past 38 years, the trend of change in the mean annual precipitation in the same period, except one station (Hanjan), was not significant and this difference was due to the negative effects of dams construction and it was also confirmed by the output of the IHA model. It should be noted that based on the output of the mentioned model, 33 hydro-ecological features of Halil-Rud river flow showed fundamental alterations since the operation of Jiroft Dam (1992), but the operation of Baft Dam upstream of Jiroft Dam in 2008 has led to intense negative effects of flow characteristics (outside the acceptable range of ecological variability) in Halil-Rud River.

In order to prevent the magnification of the water crisis, the cumulative effects of the construction of chain dams should be considered using hydro-ecological approaches, as well as the water allocation programs, especially the environmental flows should be revised according to the upstream developments of each dam basin, so that the sustainable socio-economic needs as the goals of integrated water resources management would be provided and also the health and survival of the natural ecosystem would be guaranteed.

Liliaceae include 73 species that covers about 1 percent of Flora of Iran. In addition approximately 27% of mentioned taxa are classified in endemic flora of Iran. Gagea with 31 species is the largest genus liliaceae in scale of Iran. These taxa were categorized based on topographic zonations including basins (less than 300 m a.s.l.), lowlands (300–1000 m a.s.l.), semi–mountainous (1000–1500 m a.s.l.), mountainous (1500–2500 m a.s.l.), alpine (2500–3500 m a.s.l.), and subnivale (3500–4500 m a.s.l.). Iranian Liliaceae included critically endangered (CR): 22 spp, endangered (EN): 5 spp., near threatened (NT): 37spp), vulnerable (VU): 1 spp.), In addition, the Kurdistan–Zagros range and the Atropatenian phytogeographical units feature the highest richness of mentioned taxa and form the first class in conservation value and priority. Several endangered species in this family, a wide range of which is located outside protected areas, so In situ as well ex-situ conservation actions seems to necessary for their conservation.

Cinnamon improves the lipid profile and has antioxidant and protective effects. Therefore, in this study, the effect of cinnamon on the expression of NKCC1 and KCC2 genes in the stroke model of rats receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated.

Thirty-six rats were divided into four groups: control, model (stroke), cinnamon 130 and 260 mg. All groups, except the control group, received HFD for 8 weeks, and then the groups receiving cinnamon were injected with 130 and 260 mg/day of cinnamon for 6 weeks, respectively. The animals were anesthetized and stroke was induced in them with middle cerebral artery occlusion model. After 12 hours, the animals were assessed for body mass index (BMI), stroke volume and expression of NKCC1 and KCC2 genes. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data at a significance level of P<0.05.

HFD increased BMI. Cinnamon extract decreased BMI and reduced stroke volume compared to the model group. Decreased expression of NKCC1 and increased expression of KCC2 were significant in stroke hemispheres compared to the model group. The low dose of the extract had a better effect in reducing the expression of genes.

It seems that cinnamon, as a pre-treatment, has valuable and reducing effects on BMI and ischemic strokes caused by obesity, and by modulating the expression of KCC2 and NKCC1 genes, it maintains chlorine ion homeostasis and therefore, it can be considered as a suitable option for the pre-treatment of stroke.

Nowadays, based on the reports of the International Panel Climate Change (IPCC) there is no doubt that climate change has been occurring. All ecosystems on the earth have been concerned by the effects of climate change. Freshwater communities are particularly more vulnerable to the climate change because freshwaters are also exposed to numerous anthropogenic stressors such as hydrological, morphological, connectivity and, water quality pressures. The main objective of this study is to determine the effects of climate change on the Salmo trutta distribution under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of 2050 and 2080. For this purpose, Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) method was used. For this purpose, data related to fish observation as well as environmental variables like elevation, slope, maximum air temperature, range temperature, precipitation and, maximum width were collected. Then, different models including GLM, GAM, GBM, RF, CTA, FDA, MARS, ANN and SRE as well as the Ensemble model (in order to reduce the uncertainty), were used to predict the potential distributions of considered species at the scale of the Lake Urmia basin and Iran. The results showed that Salmo trutta populations will decline sharply in the optimistic scenario in 2050. Whilst, in a similar scenario, populations of this species will disappear in 2080. In addition the populations of Salmo trutta would become extinct in the pessimistic scenario, including two-time scales in 2050 and 2080.

Cinnamon is a plant containing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant substances. Previous studies have revealed the reducing effects of obesity and hyperlipidemia and, on the contrary, the reinforcing effects of cinnamon on fertility. Therefore in this study the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamon on Body Mass Index (BMI) and gene expression of cation channel of sperm (CatSper) in male Wistar rats receiving high-fat diets was investigated.

Thirty-six male rats were divided into six groups. Control group received normal diet and no treatment. The five other groups received high-fat diet for eight weeks. The diet control group received only high-fat diet, the vehicle group received carboxymethyl cellulase 0.5% (5 mg/kg), the lovastatin group received 10 mg/kg lovastatin, and the cinnamon groups received 130 and 260 mg intra peritoneum for six weeks daily. BMI was measured at the end of the study. The expression levels of Catsper genes were also evaluated using Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed with SAS software version 9.1 using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan tests (p<0.05).

The hydroalcoholic extract of cinnamon significantly reduced BMI (p<0.05). The expression level of Catsper1-4 genes decreased in the model and vehicle groups compared to the control group (p<0.05); however, the expression level of Catsper1-4 genes increased in the cinnamon and lovastatin groups compared to the control group.

Cinnamon as a pretreatment has beneficial and reducing effects on BMI. Moreover, in pretreatment with cinnamon, the increased expression of Catsper1-4 genes is observed.

Climate change affects plant distribution in vulnerable ecosystems, such as gray almond (Prunus eburnea (Spach) Aitch. & Hemsl.). Gray almond is a member of the Rosaceae family and it has conservational, nutritional and endemic importance and widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran. The main objectives of this study are modeling the habitat suitability of the gray almond species using the Maxent model and predicting the effects of climate change on its distribution as well as determining the contribution of environmental variables in modeling the habitat suitability. Evaluating the accuracy of Maxent model using the mean area under the curve index (0.94) indicates the excellent performance of this model. Results showed that the soil depth and the solar radiation layers with 35.4% and 27.3%, respectively, had the highest share of participation in modeling of the habitat suitability of gray almond species. Based on the map of habitat suitability in the current climatic conditions, it is predicted that the southern regions (Hormozgan, Bushehr and Fars provinces), south-west (Kohgiluyeh, Boyer-Ahmad and Chaharmahal Bakhtiari provinces) and southeast (provinces) Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman and South Khorasan) have the potential of suitable environmental conditions to expand the habitats of this species. In order to evaluate the effects of climate change on the habitat suitability of this species, the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (greenhouse gas emission scenario) related to greenhouse gas emission model CCSM4 in the 2080 was used. According to Maxent model, the area of suitable habitat of this species in the current climatic conditions is 862113 Km2. Predicted based on RCP 8.5 in 2080, suitable areas that this species will lose 36.14% and gain new suitable habitats as much as 8.9%. It is predicted that the area of suitable habitat areas of this species will decrease to 627273 km2 in the future. According to the results, it is necessary to have better ecosystem management of conservation and exploitation of gray almond habitats in future.

Prunus eburnea (Spach) Aitch. & Hemsl. is an endemic plant species of Iran-Afghanestan, which has medicinal and nutritional value and distributed in extensive parts of arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Iran. The aims of this study were to investigate the life forms and chorology of associated perennial plant species and biodiversity indices in 52 habitats. Habitats were divided into ten main regions based on main climate, latitude, longitude, phytogeography, altitude, vicinity to other habitats and physiognomy. Some biodiversity indices such as species richness, uniformity, heterogeneity and dominance for each region were measured using PAST software. The results showed that the life form of phanerophyt (48%) and chamaephyt (40%) had the highest percentage of life forms of associated plant species with gray almond in the studied habitats. Perennial plants belonging to the phytogeography of Irano-Touranian region (64%) and Euro-Siberian (13%) had the highest abundance in the habitats of this species, respectively. In a general conclusion, the habitats of this species in the west of the country due to more rainfall and humidity have the greatest species diversity and the number of plant species bases than the central and eastern habitats of the country. In the habitats that are located near the Zagros region of the country, the diversity indices show greater values than the habitats that are located in the Iran-Turanian regions.

According to the reports of the International Panel Climate Change (IPCC) there is no doubt about climate change occurring. All ecosystems on the earth have being concerned by the effects of climate change. Urmia lake basin and its rivers exposed to numerous anthropogenic stressors such as hydrological, morphological, connectivity and water quality pressures. The main objective of this study is to determine the effects of climate change on Acanthalburnus urmianus (Günther, 1899) distribution under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios in 2050 and 2080. For this purpose, Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) method was used. In the beginning, any data related to fish observation as well as environmental variables like elevation, slope, maximum air temperature, range temperature, precipitation and maximum width were collected. And then, with different models including GLM, GAM, GBM, RF, CTA, FDA, MARS, ANN and SRE as well as Ensemble model (in order to reduce the uncertainty), the potential distributions of A. urmianus at the scale of Lake Urmia basin and Iran with above mentioned climatic scenarios were predicted. The results indicated that climate change affects on the distribution of A. urmianus under all optimist and pessimistic scenarios and in contrast to  2050 in both scenarios, reduction in distribution in 2080 was observed.

Today, invasive species are considered as one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The suitable habitats of these species are expected to be expanded under the effects of future climate change hence it is likely to threaten the existence of native species. Consequently, identifying the current and potential distribution range of invasive species is essential for management of such species. In this study, suitable habitat of Gambusia holbrooki was predicted by using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) under optimistic and pessimistic (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) scenarios of 2050 and 2080 at the scale of Iran. According to the modeling predictions, the suitable habitats of this species not only will include its current distribution range but also may expand in some other basins. In other words, it is expected to extend to new favorable regions under future climate change scenarios. Our study showed that the distribution of this invasive species in the 19 main basins is relatively high. If preventive measures are not employed, the negative effects of invasive species on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics will be high. Therefore, this study will be helpful to policymakers for management of this invasive species and the conservation of biodiversity.

In this study, environmental and climatic variables were used as independent variables to determine the habitat suitability of Cyprinion tenuiradius in Fars Province and to investigate the impact of climate change on its distribution. Modelling was conducted in an R software environment using the MaxEnt algorithm. Based on the results, the performance and accuracy of modelling were good (AUC = 0. 790). Also, the mean annual temperature and annual precipitation were the most important variables in determining the habitat suitability and distribution of this species, respectively. According to the species prediction under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of climate change in 2050 and 2080, it is expected that the distribution range of this species will decrease slightly under the optimistic scenario of 2050 and 2080. However, the distribution range under the pessimistic scenario of 2050 will be increased slightly while in the pessimistic scenario of 2080, its suitable habitats will be significantly increased. It is recommended to use the obtained results for management and conservation purposes.

Gray almond (Amygdalus eburnea spach.) is one of the most common endemic plants of arid and semi-arid sections of Iran, with medicinal value and important in protection of soil and prevention of soil erosion. Also, there are many other plant species associated with Amygdalus eburnea Spach. which potentially contribute to soil conservation and ecosystem dynamics. Though extensive in distribution, information available about the gray almond habitat characteristics is scarce. In this research, characteristics of 52 habitats of Amygdalus eburnea Spach. were studied covering much of Iran. Ecological data were collected, ecosystem disturbance status recorded and the plant species associated with this species collected and identified. The study of habitat conditions showed that this species grows more in sandy and light-textured rocky areas of the southern and south-eastern aspects. The results showed that Artemisia sieberi Besser. and Amygdalus scoparia Spach. are the dominant associated species of gray almond in almost 90% of habitats. Results showed the biggest habitat disturbance and habitat loss was caused by domestic livestock grazing.

GGeobotanical studies of taxa with a high proportionof richness and endemism plays a prominent role on conservation strategies. Iran is one of the main diversitycenters of the genus OnosmaL. in context the richness as well endemism that represent the necessity its conservation assessments. In this study the distribution patterns of the mentioned taxa have been evaluated in Western Azarbaidjan as well western areas of Eastern Azarbaidjan based on filed works and herbarium assessment by GIS teqnicues.93 populations of 10 species collected and studied. The results showing that mentioned taxa mainly distributed between 1100-2900 m as wellsedimentary and quaternary geological formations in studied area. Besides abundance and diversity of subsect. Haplotricha is more than other subsections in studied area. In this study distribution maps preprated for studied species and the most important species and habitats are introduced for conservation priority. Generally, climate change and droughts, excessive grazing and habitat destructionare the main threats for this genus in studied area. It should be noted that rare taxa have small populations and have been mostly reported from restricted localities that appear high vulnerability to threatened factors. The results of this study can be effective for prepare conservation plans of this valuable genus.