Journal of Rangeland Science
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Spring 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total community and Plant Functional Types (PFTs) Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) with soil variables. Sampling done in two altitude gradients (20-3300m) and 25 sites at the rangelands of the northern Ardabil province in 2016. In each site, PFTs ANPP and soil were sampled. In laboratory soil variables including Soil Texture, Dispersible Clay, Bulk Density, Volumetric Soil Water Content, Saturation Percent, pH, EC, Organic Matter, Particulate Organic Matter, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Sodium, Soluble Potassium, Exchangeable Potassium, Lime and Carbonate were measured. Cluster analysis was used to group sites based on soil variables. ANOVA and Tukey tests were employed to compare the value of ANPP and soil variable at different groups resulting from cluster analysis. Then, linear regression was used to investigate relationship between ANPP and soil variables. Based on cluster analysis, 25 sites were divided in four soil types and results showed that the value of PFTs and total ANPP and 26 soil variables from 37 soil variables had significant differences between grouping sites. Regression model showed that SK and P in first depth of soil were effective on grasses (R2=0.51), VWC and P in the first depth and EK and Mg in the second depth were effective on forbs ANPP (R2=0.61), Clay, VWC, Mg and POM in the second depth were effective on shrubs ANPP (R2=0.71) and pH in the first depth, Sand and POM in the second depth were effective on total ANPP (R2=0.76). According to the obtained models, ANPP changes can be predicted by soil variables. Also, based on the result, PFTs can be a suitable indicator for soil condition of rangeland. So, the results of the present study can be used to refine rangelands in this area and even to extend them to other areas.

In western Iran, mountainous rangelands provide significant resources for livestock productions. Many ecosystems that are of high environmental and economic value are threatened by climate change and social economic pressures. This is especially important for semi-arid rangelands, which have a multifunctional system. Quantifying the direct and indirect effects of grazing disturbance on plant biodiversity in the semi-arid mountainous rangelands can provide sight into the appropriate measures to restore degraded rangelands and conserve biodiversity. Here, the effects of different levels of grazing intensity (Light Grazing (LG), Moderate Grazing (MG), and Heavy Grazing (HG)) on plant biodiversity were examined in Nava-mountain rangeland in Kermanshah Province, Western Iran, in 2016. The results showed that increasing grazing intensity led to a decrease in species richness, Margalef's richness index, and Shannon-Wiener index (p <0.05). Stepwise regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of grazing intensity as (independent variables) on species diversity and richness as (dependent variable). The estimates parameter were significant (p <0.01) for species richness, Margalef's richness and Shannon-Wiener indices in the different levels of grazing intensity. In overall, grazing intensity explained 47%, 47% and 50% of the variation for species richness, Margalef's richness, and Shannon-Wiener indices, respectively. In addition, species richness and diversity were affected in response to grazing disturbance intensity and reducing grazing pressure can contribute to maintaining relatively high species diversity in Nowa-mountain rangeland.

Iran is one of the principal centers of Astragalus genus. Astragalus adscendens is a valuable endemic plant. There is less information about the effect of climate change on Astragalus genus especially A. adscendens. In this study, we used the ensemble modeling based on seven species distribution models to predict the spatial distribution of A. adscendens. The presence of A. adscendens points was recorded from our field surveys in Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari province as a semi-arid part of Central Zagros, Iran between 2015 and 2016. The future projections were made for the year 2050 and 2070 with two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) scenarios (4.5 and 8.5). Also, in this approach, species occurrence data (140 points), 19 bioclimatic predictors from HadGEM2-CC (Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model, version two - Carbon Cycle), MRI-CGCM3 (Meteorological Research Institute Coupled Global Climate Model Version three) and three physiographic variables were used. According to the ensemble model, 33.58% of the study area (548678 ha) was suitable for the A. adscendens. This research showed annual precipitation, isothermality, temperature annual range and slope have played the most important role in habitat suitability of this species. The response curves showed that occurrence probability of A. adscendens mostly exists in habitats with annual precipitation from 380 mm to 630 mm, isothermality from 35.7 to 36.8 (dimensionless), temperature annual range from 40.5 to 43°C and slope of 0.1 to 30 degree. The decline of suitable habitats will be 59.3% to 89.7% by 2050 and 2070. In contrast, 18.1% to 56.2% of currently unsuitable habitats can become suitable with climate changes. Evaluations showed that Random Forest was found to be the most reliable model for species prediction. Predicting the potential future changes in suitable habitat for A. adscendens will allow more reliable planning and management of this valuable species for experts.

Proper range management needs an accurate and updated method of rangelands production measurement. In range production measurements, selecting an accurate and low-cost method is very important. In the present study, three estimation methods including Adelaide technique, and double sampling using the 20 and 30% of vegetation cover were compared with clipping and weighing method (as control) in two shrub species of Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) Bieb and Halostachys caspica C. A. Mey (in May 2017). In each vegetation area, two 300m length transects with 100m distance randomly were placed. Data were collected from 15 quadrates 4m2 along each transect systematically. In each plot, the vegetation cover and yield of two species were estimated and harvested. Data were analyzed regarding variance for each species and means comparison was done using Duncan method. Regression analysis was performed for each method between the estimated and actual clipping rates. The result showed that in H. strobilaceum, there were no significant differences between both double sampling with 20% and 30% and control. But higher estimation was obtained by Adelaide method than control. For H. caspica, there was no significant difference between both Adelaide and double sampling 30% with control. But the yield estimation of double sampling 20% was significantly higher than control. Also, the regression relationship was well matched to the data. It was concluded that the double sampling method was more suitable for H. strobilaceum species due to its symmetrical diameter of the canopy. The Adelaide method was recommended for H. caspica, which has separate foliage.

Lack of cultivation of some Apiaceae family plants caused damage and uncontrolled exploitation of pastures and severe fluctuations in these plant markets. Therefore, efforts are essential to study the domestication of these species. For germination enhancement of three species including Dorema aucheri Boiss., Echinophora cinerea (Boiss.) Hedge & Lamondand Ferulag oangulata (Schlescht.) Boiss., six experiments in laboratory and greenhouse conditions were designed and performed during 2017-2018. At first, a completely randomized design factorial experiment with two factors (the first factor including 13 treatments consisted of stratification, soaking in GA3 or KNO3 and the second factor including stratification temperature consisted of 5, 10 and 15°C) was executed. In the second experiment, seedlings establishment was investigated in the different substrates. The results indicated that different treatments such as chilling, GA3, KNO3, and their integration had a low effect on Dorema aucheri seed germination. The effect of stratification at 4°C for 45 days on Echinophora cinerea (97.8%) and at 15°C for 45 days on Ferulago angulata (97.8%) was so clear on germination factors. The use of different growth media showed that studied species require relatively light medium and moisture during and after germination. Accordingly, mixed soil and cocopeat with 1:1 was the best substrate. It should be noted that the suitable medium for the primary growth of seeds was very similar to their natural habitats.

Salicornia herbacea is a sensitive species to seed shedding. In order to determine the effect of harvesting date on seed shedding, seed germination and seed oil production, an experiment was conducted in Gomishan Lagoon rangelands, Golestan province, Iran. Seed samples were harvested in twenty 1 m2 plots in 12 times since Nov 6th as the initial date of seed setting until Dec 21st as the final stage of seed maturity in 2019. Sampling was first carried out once a week and increased to every two days at the end of sampling dates. In each plot, the number of shrubs, visual evaluation of plant color changes from green to red, and brown coupled with the weight of the spilled seeds were recordedon each sampling date. Then, the required amount of seeds was randomly taken for the germination test and oil extraction. The obtained data were analyzed using PAST software. The results of analysis of variance showed significant differences between sampling dates on seed germination and oil percent (p <0.05). The highest and lowest germination rates with average values of 91% and 98% were obtained in the initial and final stages of harvesting, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest oil yield with average values of 19% and 16% was obtained in the middle and final stages of seed maturity. The results of multivariate analysis showed significant relationships between the seed shedding and plant color (green, red and brown) (p <0.05). According to the results, among the visible plant traits, the brown color (dryness) in up to 60% of the plants had the lowest shedding rate and was recommended as a good indicator for determining the suitable date to harvest Salicornia herbacea seeds.

Artemisia melanolepis Boiss. is an endemic, rare and endangered species inhabiting high altitudes at Sabalan Mt., Iran. This study aimed to identify the effect of environmental variables on the distribution of A. melanolepis, in southeast faced slopes of Sabalan Mt., Iran, in 2016. In the habitats of A. melanolepis two sites (A and B) were selected with almost the same ecological conditions in the presence and absence of this species. In each site, five 100m transects using the random- systematically method were established. Land covers, canopy cover, density, litter (Lit), bare soil (BS), stone and gravel (SG) were recorded in 10 plots (each one square meter along each transect). Thirty-six soil samples were collected from 0-15cm depth (depth of root activates/ three samples from each transect). Soil texture (percent of clay, sand and silt), organic materials (OM), particulate organic matter (POM), water dispersible clay (WDC), potassium (K), phosphorous (P), acidity (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured at the lab. Elevation, slope, aspect, and mean annual precipitation and temperature for each plot was calculated. The cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA and canonical discriminate analyses (CDA) were used for data analyses. The cluster analysis based on the presence and absence of species, separated each groups of A and B into two subgroups. There were significant differences between clusters using multivariate analysis of variance (p <0.01). Results showed that high density of A. melanolepis was related to increasing OM, POM, WDC, P, elevation and decreasing sand, pH and slope. Results of CDA showed that A. melanolepis distribution was more influenced by aspect, Tem, pH, POM, OM, silt, sand, P, slope, Lit, total canopy cover, SG, BS, elevation, WDC, EC and K in the selected sites. These results can be used in protecting and restoration of this species.

Kerman province has a high ranking in terms of the area of the medicinal herb Ferula assa-foetida; a species of Umbelliferae family. The oleo-gum-resin is extracted from its roots and used in medicine and industry. It has a great economic value for beneficiaries and exporters. As branding is one of the important issues in the field of natural resource economy, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the branding strategies of this medicinal plant using SWOT (- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)  technique in Kerman province, Iran. In this regard, a random sample of 19 experts working in this field was obtained. The necessary data were collected by interviewing and completing the questionnaire in the summer of 2017. After identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Ferula assa-foetida branding, strategies were formulated using Analytical Network Process (ANP) technique to determine their weights. The results showed that Kerman province is in Strength-Opportunity (SO) situation in terms of branding potential. Therefore, in line with this situation, five strategies and nine operational plans were identified and prioritized based on the marketing mix elements (4Ps, Product, Price, Place and Promotion) and using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, respectively. Price and product strategies are considered more significant than place and promotion strategies. The operational price program of imitating the model of successful countries in the field of processing, pricing and branding of medicinal herb (with the weight of 0.337) was considered by experts as the first priority. Therefore, making the studies target to utilize natural situations properly, sweet and bitter type of operation, and resistance to pests and diseases of this medicinal plant under the supervision of the Forests and Rangelands Organization of Iran are good solutions for continuous presence in the domestic and foreign markets.