Investigation on ecological characteristics of Festuca ovina L. in south-eastern rangelands of Sabalan

Some of the ecological and morphological characteristics of Festuca ovina in southeastern rangelands of Sabalan within the elevation of 1150 to 3500 m a. s. l were investigated. The purpose of this study was to gain practical information on Festuca ovina. To achieve this goal، geographical distribution of the species was prepared and 45 sites were selected using two-stage sampling. Afterward، the effects of soil، topography، climate، species composition and phenology of the species were considered in all sites and morphological characteristics i. e. root، basal area، leaf، stem، seed، and chemical analysis were investigated in 6 sites. Results showed that the canopy cover of the species varied from 0. 2 to 20. 2%، and it grew in the range of 1350 to 3500 m elevation above sea level. The highest and the lowest distribution were recorded for slopes of 10 to 15% and more than 40%، respectively. The greatest distribution was found for the south-eastern slopes. The distribution of the species under the effects of ecological factors is not equal and it is highly distributed in Saein region. This species is distributed on loamy and loamy to clay soils with a moderate to high and sometimes shallow depth، with an acidic to alkaline pH، an EC of 0. 35 to 2. 6 ds/m، OC of 0. 1 to 7. 5%، phosphorous of 2 to 35 ppm، and potassium of 170 to 1025 ppm. It is suitable for restoration and improvement of rangelands with 300 to 565 mm rainfall، and the mentioned soil and topographic conditions. In low altitudes، according to phenology، seed and chemical analysis، the best time of grazing readiness started from early May to mid-June and for every 1000 m increase in altitude، 7 to 15 days delay in grazing should be considered depending on the year.