مجید آجورلو

This study aimed to select favorable site using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for practices including seeding and seed broadcasting, hoeing and seeding, contour furrowing, pitting and flood spreading to restore degraded rangelands Ghayen Plain, Iran. First, major effective criteria in selecting favorable sites for range restoration measures were adopted from the reputable literatures. Then, 80 questionnaires in the form of pair matrix were designed for each restoration measure with regard to the selected criteria. Questionnaires were distributed among lecturers, experts and authorities in local universities and offices. Final score and relative importance of criteria were calculated on the basis of geometric mean of questionnaires. Hierarchical tree structure with appropriate adaptability was generated in Expert Choice software. Results showed that rainfall and slope played an important roles in selecting favorable site for pitting. Soil infiltration rate and runoff volume had the highest relative importance in selecting suitable site for flood spreading project. Furthermore, for seeding and seed broadcasting practices climate and slope showed high relative importance. Rainfall expressed high relative importance in selecting favorable site for hoeing and seeding projects. Finally, slope and runoff volume were the major criteria in selecting site for contour furrowing project. Based on the generated location maps, 628 ha were suitable for flood spreading. In addition, the suitable area for the contour-furrowing and pitting operations was estimated to be 103 and 199 ha, respectively. The area of suitable sites for direct seeding and hoeing and seeding operations was calculated to be 3623 and 2750 ha, respectively.

This study aimed to identify the most important physical variables affecting the distribution of four range plants species (Tamarix aphylla, Calligonum comosum, Prosopis spicigera and Salsola rigida) habitats and to prepare potential habitat map of the species using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) method in rangelands of Jiroft city, Kerman province, located in SE Iran. To this end, sampling of vegetation including species type and percent cover was conducted with randomized-systematic method in 2015. Sample size was determined as 60 plots with a quadrat size of 25-100 m2. For soil sampling, eight profiles were dug in each habitat and samples were taken at two depths, i.e., 0–30 and 30–60 cm. Results indicated that the classification accuracy of the model was acceptable and soil variables including EC, percentage of lime, organic matter, moisture content and texture had the greatest effect on the distribution of the studied plant species habitats. Correlations between the actual and predicted maps for Tamarix aphylla and Calligonum comosum habitats were at a very good level, Kappa = 0.81 and 0.79, respectively, for Prosopis spicigera habitat was at a good level, Kappa = 0.75, and finally for Salsola rigida was at a moderate level, Kappa = 0.53. These results indicate that the MaxEnt method can provide valuable information about the physical conditions of plant habitats in arid rangeland. Knowledge on physical characteristics of plant habitats can be useful in determination of potential habitats and rangeland improvement projects.

Continuous grazing and treading of animal in non-forage plant species habitats e.g. Astragalus gossypinus and Ferula assa-foetida can considerably affect plant growth and non-forage products (by-products) such as gum tragacanth yield through alteration of soil characteristics. Most studies in rangelands have addressed the relationship between different soil characteristics and forage production, and there is little information on the relationship between changes in soil properties and the amount of non-forage products (such as gum, essential oil, tangerine, assa-foetida, etc.) in rangelands. Knowing the effect of grazing on soil properties in these habitats and the relationship between soil changes and the amount of by-products is important in determining the optimal grazing intensity for soil and plant conservation and the production of maximum products. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between soil physico-chemical characteristics and gum tragacanth production in Astragalus gossypinus habitats.

This study was carried out in A. gossypinus habitats at the rangelands of Golpayegan, Isfahan Province, Iran. Treatments included lenient, moderate and heavy grazing intensities in A. gossypinus habitats. Soil and plant (gum tragacanth) sampling were carried out on transect with 100 m length and 100m space from each other in summer 2013. The quantity of gum tragacanth was measured on five randomly selected individual plants on transect lines. Soil physico-chemical variables, i.e., bulk density, porosity, infiltration rate, pH, EC, OC, available P and N were measured with standard methods. Relationship between soil variables and gum tragacanth production was investigated with the Pearson correlation coefficient.

The highest and lowest amount of gum production was observed in habitat with light and heavy grazing, respectively. Soil infiltration rate in moderate and lenient grazing intensities was 40.15 and 32.17 percent, respectively, lower than that in the habitats under heavy grazing intensity (P < 0.05). Mean value of soil EC in habitat with light grazing was lower than that in the habitats with moderate and heavy grazing intensities (P < 0.05). Mean value of soil organic carbon in moderately grazed habitat was 38 percent greater than that in lightly and heavily grazed habitats (P < 0.05). The highest and the lowest values of P were in heavily and moderately grazed habitats, respectively. Available N in moderately grazed habitat was greater that in lightly and heavily grazed habitats (P < 0.05). In different grazing intensities, there was a negative correlation between soil bulk density and gum production, but there was a positive correlation between soil porosity and infiltration rate with gum production (P > 0.05). All soil chemical variables, except EC, had a direct relation to gum production. Among soil chemical variables, the strongest positive correlation was found between the amount of organic carbon and soil available nitrogen with gum production in moderate grazing (P < 0.05) and the lowest correlation between the amount of available phosphorus and gum production in the light grazing (P > 0.05). In moderately grazed habitats, soil chemical properties had the strongest correlation with the gum production in comparison with light and heavy grazing intensities. In moderately grazed habitats, the amount of soil organic carbon and available nitrogen were significantly and positively correlated with gum production (r = 0.74; P < 0.05).

The correlation between soil chemical properties and gum production was stronger than the correlation between soil physical properties and gum production in A. gossypinus habitats. This study reports that if the livestock grazing is inevitable in A. gossypinus habitats, the stocking rate should not be higher than moderate intensity to obtain more gum as well as maintain soil and plant health.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of livestock grazing intensities (lenient, moderate, heavy and no-grazing) on herbaceous plant species composition and diversity (grasses and forbs) in understory of Quercus spp. and Pistacia spp. forest in Kebirkouh Mountain, Darehshahr city, Ilam Province, Iran. Vegetation sampling was carried out with randomized-systematic method at flowering time of the dominant plant species in April 2017. Within each quadrat, number of species, name of plants, density, life form and palatability class were recorded for herbaceous plants. Species diversity with the Simpson’s and Shannon-Weiner indices, species richness with Margalef and Menhinick indexes, and evenness with Peet and Sheldon indices were calculated in Ecological Methodology software version 6.1.4. The highest value of Simpson index for grasses and forbs was 0.972 (moderate grazing) and 96.95 (exclosure). Also, the highest value of Shannon index for grasses and forbs was 4.51 (heavy grazing) and 4.56 (heavy grazing), respectively. The highest richness of grasses and forbs was observed in grazed area with moderate intensity and no-grazing area, respectively. In the area without grazing, the richness of forbs was 4.4 and 2.75 according to Margalef and Menhinick indexes. The values of the Margalef and Menhinick richness indexes for grasses in grazed area with a moderate intensity were18 and 15 percent higher than the grazed area with heavy intensity. Peet and Sheldon evenness indexes were the highest for grasses and forbs in heavily grazed area and the lowest for grasses in the moderate grazing intensity and for forbs in the exclosure.

Despite the importance of litter quality in soil conservation and stability, improvement of soil chemical properties, and increasing forage production in the rangeland ecosystem, very few studies have been carried out on the litter quality of range plant species and most studies on plant quality are limited to forage quality of plants in rangeland. This study aimed to measure and compare the litter quality of three range plant species, i.e., Artemisia aucheri, Centaurea virgata and Scariola orientalis and its relationship with some physico-chemical characteristics of soils in Hajibeyggi rangeland, Torbat Heidarieh, eastern Iran. Plant litter was sampled through systematic-randomize sampling method on three transects with a length of 200 meters and 1 m2 quadrat. One litter sample of plant species along with one soil sample was collected from 0-15 cm depth in each plot. Parameters related to litter quality including phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phenol and lignin were measured by standard methods. Also, soil characteristics including texture, lime percentage, EC, bulk density, pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and organic carbon were measured by standard methods. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the litter quality of species and Duncan test was used to separate means with significant difference. The relationship between litter quality and soil characteristics was investigated using Pearson correlation. The highest amount of P was in litter and dead materials of C. virgata, the highest amount of K was in A. aucheri and the highest amount of lignin was in S. orientalis. The highest amount of soil P, lime, silt, clay, clay+silt, pH, organic carbon and bulk density was found under A. aucheri canopy and the highest amount of K and gravel under S. orientalis canopy. The amount of calcium in A. aucheri litter was significantly correlated with soil lime, and its Mg content was related to soil EC and pH. The amount of P in C. virgata litter was significantly correlated with soil pH, and its K content was related with soil gravel, silt and clay + soil silt. The amount of P in S. orientalis litter was significantly correlated with soil K, organic carbon, lime, clay, silt, sand and silt. Lignin and phenol are anti-quality chemical consitituents in plant litter and dead materials. Mean values of lignin in all plant species were similar, but the quantity of phenol in the litter of A. aucheri was higher than that in other two species. The amount of Mg and Ca were also similar in all plant species, but mean value of P in C. virgate was greater than that in other two species. It was not found clear relationships between litter quality and soil physico-chemical variables in this study.

Background and purpose:

Ethnobotany is a powerful tool for obtaining valuable information about the medicinal plants used in various cultures which provides the ground for discovering new drugs. The purpose of this research was to identify medicinal plants which have traditional uses in the Khash city.
 
Methods and Materials:

The study was carried out in two villages of Irrandegan and Karavandar in the south of Khash city using field surveys, studying beliefs and popular information, documentary studies, identifying, categorizing and introducing medicinal plants. At first, the floristic list was prepared from the Khash natural resources office. According to the list, the native medicinal species of the region was determined. For each herbal medicine, we determined the scientific name, the local name, and the used parts. In addition, the common therapeutic properties were identified through questionnaires and interviews with local people.

Results:

In general, 22 species of medicinal plants were identified in 14 families in Khash region. The most commonly medicinal application of plants was for digestive problems, joint pain, female’s illnesses, and infectious diseases, respectively. The people of the region combine and burn the plants specially Tamarix, Artemisia, and Withania. Ash and smoke which driven from these plants are used as a strong substance to relieve joint pain.

Conclusion:

There is a wide variety of medicinal plants in the Khash area. People use a number of herbs to treat diseases that are special to this region. Research on these medicinal plants could pave the way to discover new drugs.
 

Knowledge of the relationships between biotic components of rangeland ecosystem i. e. herbivores and plants is important for range managers. In order to study herbivorse grazing intensity on plant species diversity, an experiment was conductef using fuor grazing treatments in darrehshar rangelands, Ilam province in 2015. Plant species data were taken based on a randomized-systematic sampling method. Numerical values of diversity, richness and evenness indices were calculated using PAST as well as Ecological Methodology softwares. Significant differences were observed between grazing treatments for all diversity indices, except Camargo evenness index (P ≤ 0. 05). The highest values of Simpson and Shannon diversity indices as 0. 916 and 3. 96 respectively were obtained in the ungrazed site and the lowest values of those indices as 0. 87 and 3. 36 were obtained in the heavy grazing treatment. Ungrazed site had 6. 4٪ and 12. 2٪ higher diversity than the heavily grazed site. The highest values of Margalef and Menhinick richness as 4. 66 and 0. 91 were obtaned in the moderately grazed site. The lowest values of those indices as 2. 71 and 0. 598 were occurred in the heavy grazing site. Margalef and Menhinick indices values in the moderately grazed site were 36. 8٪ and 46% higher than those in the heavy grazing treatment, respectively. The highest modified and Smith & Wilson evenness indices with average values of 0. 163 and 0. 272 were obtained in the heavy grazing site and the lowest values with the average of 0. 101 and 0. 178 were in the ungrazed area. This study concludes that heavy grazing intensity can adversely affect plant species diversity in semi-steppe rangelands.

This study aims at investigating the effect of herd trampling on soil in Darrehshar town pasture in a complete random survey.Regarding to this study the amountcof germination of soil seed bank wil be investigated.Treatment of the study involves trampled soil by herd, and the soil without herds’ trace on repeated three times.In order to compare the means (averages), . The indices of Simpson and Shannon-Wiener and richness indices were studied and Menhing.The obtained results of the research indicated that grazing livestock stomping had a direct effect on the germination of borried seeds in seed bank soil in both 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm soil depth, so that stamping of Livestock on the amount of indexes of species diversity and richness in the soil free from livestoch sings and effects was more them livestoch stamping. The results of variance analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the values of Margalof enrichmentindices and Manhing, and also between Shanoun- winner variety indices and Simpson ( P .(05>The value of Margalof enrichmentindices and Manhing was 29/6 and 8/62, respectively. And the value of Shanoun- winner variety indices and Simpson was 51/66 and 25/27, respectively, showed that in the soil without herds’ trace on was greater than trampled soil. Understanding these changes can be an appropriate guideline in interpretation of plantcoverchanges and how to manage it in future.

Due to the limited Alyssum habitats (Alyssum homalocarpum) in rangeland ecosystems, it is necessary to study various aspects of plant growth under different environmental conditions such as abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity and drought on Alyssum seed germination characteristics in laboratory conditions. The experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with four replications in the fall of 2014 in the culturing and Proliferation laboratory of Zabol University. To create different levels of drought and salinity, polyethylene glycol 6000 and NaCl were used respectively .Drought treatments were included four levels (zero, -0/25, -0/41, -0/99 MPa) and five levels of salinity (zero, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM). Variance analysis results showed that drought and salinity stress significantly affected Alyssum seed germination characteristics (p

This study aims at comparing the performance of logistic regression, maximum entropy, and multilayer perceptron techniques in preparing the predictive habitat distribution map of Amygdalus scoparia in rangelands of Qom province. For this purpose, vegetation sampling was done using random systematic methods after identifying pure habitats of this species. For soil sampling, eight profiles were excavated and two samples were taken from 0-30 and 30-80 cm depth. After analyzing the soil characteristics in the laboratory and generating the layers of physiographic characteristics (slope, aspect, and elevation), geology and physical and chemical characteristic of soil, predictive habitat distribution modeling was performed. Then the accuracy of generated map was evaluated by kappa. Based on the calculated kappa coefficient, logistic regression model was able to predict the habitat distribution of studied species at the excellent level (kappa= 0.91). Meanwhile, predictive maps derived from maximum entropy and multi-layer perceptron had very good aggrement with actual map (kappa 0.85 and 0.8, respectively). These results indicate that the logistic regression model is more accurate than other methods for predicting the distribution of this species due to specific circumstances. Based on logistic regression model, geological formation (Igneous formations) and soil gravel amount are the most influential factors effecting the the presence of this species in this habitat. These results indicate that in order to select the optimal modeling approach, it should be given special attention to the ecological niche of the species studied in addition to the capabilities of each method.

This research was aimed to investigate the effects of restoration practices on rangeland health in Jiroft. The study was conducted using landscape function analysis (LFA). Three study sites including exclosure (Jebalbarz), contour furrow, and crescent pond in rangelands under grazing management (Anbarabad) were selected. Sampling was performed in a random-systematic manner using transects of 50 m and 100 m length, and patches and inter-patches were identified on each transect. Then, the length and width of the patches and distance between them were measured. Five replicates of each patches and inter-patches were selected and 11 soil factors were assessed. In the three study sites and control groups, functional indexes including infiltration, stability, and nutrient cycling were calculated through sum of scores using LFA software and changed to percent values. According to the results, the management activities applied could change the rangeland functional indicators and characteristics, so that range condition improved by exclosure. In addition, the average values recorded for the rangeland health indicators in ecological patches of restoration practices were higher as compared with control group. Duncan test results showed that there were significant differences for three functional indicators among all treatments, so that restoration practices could improve the rangeland function.

Water harvesting is the collection of runoff for productivity purposes, instead of runoff being left to cause erosion. In arid and semi-arid drought-prone areas, micro-catchments are widely used as a water harvesting method to improve rangeland condition. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of micro-catchment on ecological indices of rangeland health in Ghick-Sheikhha, Jiroft, Iran using LFA (Landscape Function Analysis) method. A free micro-catchment area (as control) was selected to compare the effects of micro-catchment on the soil and vegetation cover. In this method 11 soil parameters were assessed (transects of 100m length) to recognize three functional properties, including stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling. Statistical data analyses were done using analysis of landscape function and paird t test to compare the performance indicators in the control and micro-catchment. To determine best factors affecting the health of the range, multivariate regression model was used. The results showed that in the micro-catchment treatment, the length of patches were more than that in the control area. Significant differences were observed between the areas in terms of three indices (p≤0.05). Regression models suggested that the parameters of soil sedimentation, soil resistance to humidity, soil surface roughness and canopy cover in the micro-catchment area and soil surface roughness, litter cover and surface resist to disturb in the control area had respectively, the higher impact on rangeland health indices. Generally, the present study suggested the effectiveness of micro-catchment compared to the control area.

Punctual assessment of rangeland health is essential for detection of occurred alterations in biotic and abiotic components of rangeland ecosystems. This study aimed to assess rangeland condition in Gremi, Ardabil Province, northern Iran in three methods, i.e., four-factor, six-factor and rangeland health indicators; also it was aimed to designate the best method by analyzing the accuracy and precision of methods. Three exclosures (reference sites) and three range sites under continuous grazing (evaluation sites) adjacent to them were selected. Some attributes of vegetation and soil e.g. canopy cover, bare soil and liter percent were measured on transect lines (50 m) and quadrats (1×1.5m). In rangeland health indicators method, indicators of reference site were firstly evaluated and then the departure degree of evaluation site (grazed rangeland) from reference site was scored. The health of all exclosures and grazed rangelands were categorized ‘good’ and ‘poor’, respectively, by both four-factor and six-factor methods. Departure degree of most indicators from reference site was moderate to extreme in evaluation sites 1 and 2. These sites were marked ‘unhealthy’. The departure degree of evaluation site 3 from reference site was moderate, then, this site was marked ‘at risk’. Accuracy and precision level of four-factor method was greater than those in six-factor method. Consequently, four-factor method was found as appropriate method for assessment of rangeland condition (health) in Gremi. In the case that the aim of rangeland health assessment is to make decision about important issues of management and the reference site is available, we recommend the use of rangeland health indicators method.

Livestock grazing and trampling on Astragalus sp habitats can negatively affect gum production potential in these natural habitats. This study aims to evaluate the effect of livestock grazing intensity on gum tragacanth yield in Astragalus gossypinus habitats of Golpayegan, Esfahan province, central Iran. Quantity of discharged tragacanth in each individual plant and above-ground attributes including height from soil surface, canopy diameter and canopy size of corresponding plants were measured using randomized-systematic sampling procedure on all transects in three grazing intensities, i.e., low, moderate and heavy in 2014. Data were analyzed with One-way Analysis of Variance and the means with significant difference were separated with Duncan test. Tragacanth production in habitats with heavy grazing intensity was differed from that in habitats grazed moderately by animals. The quantity of tragacanth secretion in habitats of A. gossypinus with heavy grazing intensity was 54.75% lower than that in the habitats grazed moderately (P < 0.05). Tragacanth yield in heavily grazed habitats was 60.18% lower than that in the habitats with low grazing intensity (P < 0.05). However, gum production in habitats with moderate and low grazing intensities was generally similar (P > 0.05). Correlation coefficient (r) between individual plant height from the soil surface and canopy diameter with the quantity of tragacanth were 0.21 and 0.33, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a positive significant relationship between canopy size and the quantity of gum in A. gossypinus habitats (r = 0.45; P < 0.05). Livestock grazing affects gum yield in A. gossypinus through changing of above-ground attributes of individual plant particularly in heavily grazed sites.

Root morphological and distribution responses of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) to long-term cattle grazing were examined in a tropical pasture in Malaysia. The treatments were no grazing by cattle and grazing at a moderate stocking density (2. 7 animal unit/ha) under rotational grazing for 33 years. The method consists of taking soil core using a soil corer to a depth of 30 cm and extracting roots from cores by hand-washing and subsequent measuring of root morphological characteristics including length، surface area، average diameter and volume using WinRhizo Root Scanner. Root length density، mass density، surface area density، and volume density were calculated as indicators of root distribution pattern in the soil volume. Data were analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance and independent t-test. Root diameter، length and length density were affected neither by grazing treatment nor the interaction between them (P > 0. 05). Root diameters in the middle (10–20 cm) and lower (20–30 cm) soil layers of grazed site were 50% and 72% greater than that in the ungrazed site. Root volume، surface area and their densities were not affected (P > 0. 05) by grazing and the interaction between grazing and soil depth. Mean root mass and mass density were affected (P < 0. 05) by moderate grazing and soil depth، and the interaction between them. Mean root mass in all soil depths in grazed site was greater than that in the ungrazed site. Long-term rotational moderate grazing has no negative impact on root variables of signal grass in tropical pasture.

This study investigates the impact of cattle grazing intensity at long-term (LT, 2.7 AU/ha/y for 33 years) and short-term heavy (ST, 5 AU/ha/y for 2 years) on the heavy metal concentrations in soils of tropical pastures, Malaysia. Soil samples were collected at randomly selected points at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depth in both grazed and ungrazed treatments. The concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn) was measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrophotometry. The heavy metal concentrations in the soil were not affected by ST grazing intensity. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn were significantly affected (P £ 0.05) by LT grazing intensity. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in LT grazed pasture soil were 127.9, 194.8, 54.8 and 39900% higher, respectively, than ungrazed pasture. Soil Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in surface (0-10 cm) than subsurface (10-20 cm) soils. Results suggest that the excreta of grazing cattle can be an important source of heavy metals in intensively managed pastures in the long-term. However, metal concentrations were maintained below the maximum standard limits and were not high enough to be dangerous from the toxicological point of view.