Investigation of some environmental and vegetative characteristics of three endemic rangeland species in East Azarbaijan province, Iran

Acantholimon gilliatii, Astragalus aharicusand A. neo-mobayenii are the endemic species with one population in East Azarbaijan. Previous observations of researchers have shown that survival of these species at risk and their distribution is being limited. In this study, topographic, climatic and soil characteristics were investigated in habitats of these species. Also, coverage, height density and phenology of the study species were determined by using 10 plots in each area with random method during 2013 and 2014. The habitat of A. gilliatii is very limited in the southern slopes of the Mishodagh Mountain, with a slope of 15-30 %, an altitude of 2010 m, loam-sandy soil and cold semi-humid climate. Also, the habitat of A. aharicus is very limited in the southwestern slopes of the Kasabeh Mountain, with a slope of more than 60 %, an altitude of 1750 m, loam-clay calcareous soil and semi-arid climate. The habitat of A. neo-mobayenii is patchy in the northern slopes of the Mishodagh Mountain, with a slope of 60-70 %, an altitude of 1800 m, loam-sandy soil and cold semi-humid climate. It seems that droughts and heavy livestock grazing have resulted in limiting the populations of the study species. Therefore, adopting measures such as protecting the habitat of these species, investigation of the factors affecting the regeneration of these plants as well as pest control are essential to avoid the removal of these species from the natural arena.