Investigation of Habitat Characteristics and Phenology of Five Range Species in Highlands of Kashan, Iran

Knowledge on habitat characteristics and nature of regional vegetation in rangelands is a prerequisite for any planning and proper range management along with sustainable development of renewable natural resources. Rangelands in southern and western highlands of Kashan, Iran are of good vegetation diversity but unfortunately, palatable and desirable species are endangered in recent years. This research aims to investigate habitat characteristics and phenology of five range species including Prangos latiloba, Prangos uloptera, Ferula ovina, Astragalus eriopodus and Onobrychis melanotricha. Several field studies were conducted and the distribution of each species in highlands of Kashan was determined using topographic maps, land capability, and GPS. Ten key species were selected in each region to study their phenological stages including vegetative growth, flowering, seed maturity, and seed dormancy. In spring, summer and autumn, 15-day visits and a 30-day visit in winter were performed. Finally, the distribution of each species and phenological stages were presented in maps and graphs. Our results showed that the dormancy period in most species started from early August and continued until late March. As temperatures rise in late March, vegetative growth starts and continues until mid-May. Flowering stage was in a period of mid-May and the end of June; afterwards, seeding stage and seed dispersal have started.