JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
Year:2019 | Volume:6 | Issue:13 |Papers Count:16

Predicting the potential distribution of plants in response to climate change is essential for their conservation and management. This study aimed at predicting the effect of climate change on the geographical distribution of Pistaciaatlantica in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province in the central Zagros region. In this study, we used 19 Bioclimatic variables derived from rainfall and temperature and three physiographical variables as the input of maximum entropy model (MaxEnt). The results showed that annual precipitation, annual temperature range and seasonal temperature have played the most important role in habitat suitability of this species. The results of the model showed that 14. 7%, (2413. 7 km2) of in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province for the Pistacia atlantica have had high habitat suitability. Under RCP4. 5 and RCP8. 5 climate scenarios, Pistacia atlantica might lose (Respectively 8. 11% and 11%) of its climatically suitable habitats due to climate change factors by 2050. Considering the high accuracy of the maximum entropy model in predicting the distribution of the studied species (AUC = 0. 92), results of this study can be used in planning, conservation and rehabilitation of Pistacia atlantica.

The aim of this study was to investigate the flora, life form, chrotype, diversity and evenness of accompanying species of Artemisia melanolepis Boiss. and Artemisia aucheri Boiss. in the south east of Sabalan. Species were collected and identified. Overall, 82 identified plant species was belonging to 23 families and 61 genera. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae families were the dominant families and Astragalus and Poa were the dominant genera in studied habitats. According to the Rankaier's system the identified species in the study area, were belonged: 69. 5% to hemicryptophytes, 10. 9% to therophytes, 13. 4% to chamaephytes and 6% to geophytes, respectively. In the habitats of A. aucheri and A. melanolepis, hemicryptophytes is the dominant with 71 and 78. 3% of accompanying species respectively having the highest frequency. In the habitats of A. aucheri, chamaephytes species with 18. 4% is the second dominant life forms. The second life form of the accompanying species of A. melanolepis, with 13. 5% is the therophytes. Geographical distribution of species in the study area indicates that the Iran-Turanian region with 56. 09% has the highest frequency. In the habitats of A. aucheri and A. melanolepis, species with geographical distribution of Iran-Turanian region with 24 and 16 species, respectively is dominant. Results of the numerical diversity indices (Simpson and Shannon-Wiener) and evenness (Simpson and Smith-Wilson) in the study habitats shows that Simpson index have no significant differences in the accompanying species of two Artemisia species but the Shannon-Wiener diversity index in different elevation and aspects have a significant difference. Using the results of this study, in addition to the basic information and understanding of A. aucheri and A. melanolepis habitats, also in the habitat of these species for the improvement and reclamation the identified species can be used.

In order to study effect of the various levels of drought and salinity stress (0,-4,-8,-12,-16 bar) on morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of Atriplex halimus in seedling stage under hydroponic culture, two separated experiments were conducted as completely randomized design in three replications in hydroecology laboratory of Gonbad Kavous University in 2013. Results showed that drought and salinity stresses had a significant effect on traits of root and stem length, root and stem dry weight, chlorophyll a, b and total as well as total phenols of A. halimus. According to the results, root lengh and stem dry weight of A. halimus significantly were increased under-4 bar of drought stress as compared to control. In return, these traits in higher concentrations of drought stress significantly decreased. Concentration of-4 bar of salinity also had a stimulation effect on the stem dry weight of A. halimus. In return, content of chlorophyll a, b and total pigments of A. halimus were decreased in all experimental treatments of drought and salinity stress. The highest decrease effect was obtained in the treatment of-16 bar. Total phenols content of A. halimus was increased with an increase of concentrations of drought and salinity stresses. This study showed that despite increase in total phenols under studied stresses and its role as non-enzymatic antioxidant, total chlorophyll and morphological traits in various concentrations also showed a decreasing trend. This indicates high drought and salinity stress as well as unsufficient of phenolic compounds in response to stress.

There is closely interrelation between vegetation and environmental factors in a natural ecosystem. The aim of this study is applicability of analytical hierarchy process for this relationship. For this purpose was used logistic regression (that was done in it measurements of vegetation and environmental factors) as control method. First, study area was divided into 33 homogeneous units on slope, aspect and elevation. Then 26 designed questionnaires were filled for each site. Questionnaires were designed on basis three main criteria of soil, physiographic and climate and sub-criteria included soil, physiographic features and climatic characteristics. Then according to the presence of studied plant species in the criteria and sub-criteria classes, scoring was done for the environmental factor. Effective factors were prioritize and prepared for use in Expert Choice for each plant species separately and also incompatibility coefficient of each questionnaire was calculated. 10 sampling plot were established and two soil samples were gathered from two depth of 0-15, 15-30 cm in each sampling site. 14 soil characteristics, 3 physiographic factors and 5 climate factors were measured. Most important factors affected on dominant species were determined with these environmental data with using logistic regression and were assessed using total accuracy of classification and correlation coefficient. The results of Logistic regression showed that the environmental factors studied, the soil has a significant role in the distribution of species and physiographic and climatic factors in subsequent courses in the degree of importance. Also AHP method is able to well represent this connection. If experts have sufficient knowledge about of region, it is suggested to use the method of less costly and time-consuming AHP than else methods that require more cost and time.

Study of Sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps population changes in overwintering sites on milkvetvh can be important in study of population dynamics and biological control. Many studies have been conducted on Sunn pest population in over wintering sites but data collection hasn't done for spatial analysis. In this study, spatial distribution of sunn pest population in overwintering sites was prepared by investigating 900 sampling points. These areas are within the maximum flight range of this pest. Geostatistical method of Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) were used for mapping spatial variations of sunn pest. The results showed that the most important condition for pest in outbreak regions, are wheat and barley farms and the mountains with suitable cover crop near the farms for over wintering and it is one of the important indicator for sampling of Sunn pest population. Prevailing wind speed average was 13. 6 knots and prevailing wind direction is south. Most of sunn pest density has been seen in the range of 1850 to 1650 meters above sea level elevation, slope 16 to 24 degrees and the northern slope. Regarding to the establishment of plantation in southeast highlands, sunn pest flights for overwintering, is done from fields to the mountains in the north to the south. It was also found that there is coordination between sunn pest flight and wind direction. The study of geostatistiucs methods showed that the Inverse Distance Weighting had less error and deviation (0. 01 and 0. 03) than cokriging and kriging methods. Using this method the spatial variations map of Sunn pest population was prepared.

Mining in natural ecosystems, including rangelands, has many economic and social consequences, which leads to the degradation of pastures and changes in livelihoods of the inhabitants of the region. The purpose of this study was to investigate the economic and social consequences of extraction of mines and their impact on livelihood of ruminants in Ghorveh city. The number of samples was estimated using the Cochran formula and matching the Krejcy and Morgan tables. The findings of this study indicate that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between the social and economic consequences of extraction of mines with the livelihood of rangers. Also, the results of stepwise regression showed that the variables (economic, social, and livestock effects indicators) explain 64% of the variance in livelihood of rangers. In addition, with regard to beta coefficients, the index of economic consequences of mining operations has the highest share in the subsistence of livelihood.

Defining, planting and domesticating of important medicinal plants is necessary due to reducing pressure on natural resources and conserving genetic resources. Therefore, it is essential to know the factors affecting on establishment and distribution of medicinal plants. Then, the present research, is done in order to modelling the distribution of the most important medicinal plant species in the Chaharbagh rangelands of Golestan province. For this purpose, four vegetation types were selected after visiting the field of study area. In the key area of each type, sampling was done with random-systematic method. In each type three 50 m transects and on each transect 10 plots were put. Also, in order to investigating soil factors, soil sampling was done from depth of 0-30 cm, and with GPS the sampling points were registered. Some important physical and chemical soil factors such as soil texture, electrical conductivity, organic matter, acidity, Nitrogen and saturation. Topographic factors consisting ofslope, aspect and altitude were registered for each plot. In order to modelling, the models of ENFA (Ecological Niche Factor Analysis) and regression logistic were used. The maps of environmental factors affecting on distribution of vegetation such as physiography map using DEM map and the soil maps with interpolation methods (Krijing، Inverse Distance Weighting and Norml Distance Weighting)inputs of model. Three important medicinal species of Thymus kotchyanus Boiss, Achillea millefolium, and Berberis integerrima were selected to analyze. Results showed that according to ENFA method, the most important factors affecting on defining utility of Achillea millefolium and Berberis integerrima habitat were altitude, soil silt and saturation while for Thymus kotchyanusBoiss these factors were altitude and soil texture. Also, the result from regression logistic model showed that, the presence of Thymus kotchyanusBoiss was directly related to altitude and inversely related to electrical conductivity, while Achillea millefolium was directely related to soil saturation and reversely related to altitude also Berberis integerrima was directely related to soil sand and altitude. In order to overlapping the maps obtained with the real vegetation map, kappa index was used. Kappa index of regression logistic model for Thymus kotchyanus Boiss, 0. 57; for Achillea millefolium, 0. 63 and for Berberis integerrima was 0. 67. While in ENFA model kappa index forThymus kotchyanusBoiss, Achillea millefolium, and Berberis integerrima were 0. 67, 0. 75 and 0. 78. Results showed that ENFA model was more precisely than regression logistic.

In general, investigation of changes occurred in the area of mangrove and saltmarshes indicates the balance between these two ecosystems and plays an important role in providing necessary solutions to maintain their ecosystem services. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the expanse of mangroves and saltmarshes in the mangrove habitats of Hormozgan province during a long-term period. For this purpose, by analyzing satellite images, the area of these two types of vegetation in the 1986, 2000 and 2016 was mapping and its changes were investigated over time. The results of this study showed that due to a significant reduction in the area of various mangrove habitat zones, the extent of mangroves over the 30-year period (1986 to 2016) has increased only by about 1457 ha (18% of original area) and in the same period, saltmarshes had significant increase in area (about 9270 hectares). The reason of this can be due to the various environmental factors which have limited the development of mangrove forest and have provided appropriate conditions for prevailing saltmarshes and development of their area in mangrove habitats of Hormozgan province.

Eco-cover is ecological mulch and its application is an eco-friendly and low-cost method to improve soil environment and prevention of unwanted plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eco-cover on unwanted plants, Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) growth and soil Properties. For this purpose, two series of rectangular plot (with and without eco-cover), in three replicates were established. Six seedling of Vetiver grass were planted in each plot and at the end of the growing season, the number of unwanted plants in each plot was counted and weighed. The effect of eco-cover on the growth of Vetiver grass seedlings was investigated by measuring the mean length of roots, height, and canopy cover of seedlings. Soil properties were investigated using two series of rectangular plot (with and without eco-cover) that stablished in three replicates for six months. Two soil samples were taken from each plot and in the laboratory, some soil physical, chemical and biological properties were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using version 18 of SPSS software and T test method. The results demonstrated that the mean of weight, canopy cover and percentage of survival Vetiver grass individuals has been increased significantly (p<0. 05) as a result of eco-cover application. Moreover, a significant decrease (p<0. 05) in the number of unwanted plants was observed, too. A significant decrease (P<0. 05) in the mean of the percentage of saturated humidity and total nitrogen, as well as, a significant increase in the mean of the absorbable phosphorous and exchangeable magnesium of soil were noted (P<0. 05).

The phenomenon of Oak decline is one of worrying phenomena that has been occurred in Zagros forests, and the extent of the infected forest areas is spread increasingly. The present study aims to investigate the symptoms of Oak decline on the individuals and its effect on the secondary compounds of Quercus brantii leaves. For this purposes, three forest regions including Abolivafa, Miankouh and Mellasaban in Lorestan province, which are of the most important centers of Oak decline, were selected. To better introduction of oak decline, trees with different levels of crown decline and healthy trees were randomly determined. The symptoms of Oak decline include the debarking of the trunk, emission of the extraction from xylem, fraction in the bulk of the trees, leaf browning and premature leaves fall. Regarding the findings of secondary compounds, the results showed that flavonoid compounds in the leaves affected by Oak decline were significantly higher than that of the healthy trees in Miankooh, Male Shaban and Abolvafa (p≤ 0. 5). However, the content of total phenol were significantly higher in the healthy trees only in Miankooh and Male Shaban (p≤ 0. 5). The amount of measured protein was not significantly different in healthy and infected trees. In addition, due to the further development of the disease in Miankouh region, the increase of these compounds was higher than other regions. In conclusion, the results show that oak decline increases the secondary compounds such as flavonoids and phenol compounds, which have an effective role in the resistance of Quercus brantii against pathogens and prolonging the trees’ survival.

Abandonment of arable lands is the starting point of vegetation succession. The trajectory and speed of succession can be different according to the time of abandonment. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of abandonment periods on species richness, diversity and functional groups in shrublands and grasslands of Shirmard rangelands in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiri, Iran. A total of 96 abondoned arable lands were selected and grouped according to the abandonment periods (less than 5, 5-15, 15-25 and more than 25 years). 24 patches around abondoned arable lands were chosen as control sites. Cover of all species was estimated in 4 m2 plot (10 plots in each patches). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The results of this study indicated that the lowest values of Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices in both vegetation types belonged to area with less than 5 years abondonment. The greatest Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices in shrubland (1. 85 and 3. 83 respectively) were found in 15-25 years but in grassland (1. 93 and 4. 39 respectively) it happened in 5-15 years. In both vegetation types we found that the average canopy covers of functional groups such as annual plants, annual grasses, Poaceae and Cruciferae families significantly decreased as the time of abandonment incraesed. In contrast, a significant increase was found for perennial plants, shrubs, trees and Papilionaceae family. Therefore, this study showed that vegetation indices improved during natural succession of vegetation in abandoned arable lands but the reversibility of vegetation indices varied according to the kind of index and vegetation type.

In recent decades, climate change and global warming have become to one of the critical global challenges that have attracted the attention of researchers. Knowing the effects of climate change on soil carbon can be used as the best tools regarding to understand the soil carbon cycle, therefore, this study was carried out to investigate and compare the amount of carbon storage in different climatic region, as well as to determine the most important environmental factors (soil factors, precipitation and elevation), affecting the amount of carbon storage in all three Dezly regions (wet), Naran (arid) and Gardaneh Morvarid (semi-arid) in Kurdistan province. To do so, six, three, and four sites were selected in the Dazli, Neran and Gardaneh Morvarid, respectively. To study the physical and chemical properties of soil in each site, three profiles were drilled from 0 to 50 cm depth (total of 39 soil samples). In order to statistical analysis, analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and regression were used. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the amount of carbon storage in our studied areas, so that the highest and lowest amount of carbon storage were in Dezly (9. 56 ± 1. 16, ton/ha) and Gardaneh Morvarid (5. 45 ± 1. 08, ton/ha), respectively. The results also showed that there were a linear and positive relationship between the amount of carbon storage and soil P content and elevation in all regions. In addition, the results of stepwise regression showed that soil limestone (R = 0. 52), nitrogen fertilizer (R = 0. 71), and altitude (R = 0. 83) were the most important factors affecting carbon storage in Dezly, Naran and Gardaneh Morvarid, respectively. The results of this study highlighted that climate change (get dry) could reduce soil carbon storage. Given the variability of environmental factors in different climates, it is suggesting that different methods could be used to manage carbon storage in each climate.

Skid trails are the main routes for wood extraction and also the main source of runoff and sediment production in Forests. This research was conducted in Kuhmiyan forest of Golestan Province to determine infiltration, compaction, strength (resistance to penetration) and moisture content in three treatment including control (in the forest), wheel ruts and middle of skid trail were measured in three replications and three soil depth. The results showed that total infiltration rate and infiltration at different time intervals, were significantly the highest. Compaction, strength and moisture content were also significantly different and the maximum values belonged to wheel ruts. Correlation results showed a negative linear relation with 90% R2 adjusted between infiltration-compaction and infiltration-strengths, these two indexescould well be indicative of permeability changes. Some of Conservation strategies are: adding slash on skid trails to reduce compaction, limiting skidding operations to dry seasons, designing dips to reduce runoff on skid trails.

A biodiversity investigation was carried out in the wild pistachio research forest located in southwest of Fars Province between 52˚ 30́ ́ to 52˚ 40́ ́ longitude and 29˚ to 29˚ 15́ latitude in an areaof 9374 Ha area. 72 sampling transects fifty meters long were designated using systematic-random design. In each sampling plot a list of bush, shrub, and tree species and their abundance were recorded. The area was divided into 3 slope levels (level 1: >10%., level 2: 10%-30%., and level 3: <30 %), 4 aspects levels (north, east, south, and west) and 3 altitudinal levels (level 1: >1, 800 m., level 2: 1, 800– 2, 000 m., and level 3: <2, 000 m. a. s. l. ) using ARC GIS softwear. Data were analyzed using different indices of heterogeneity, richness and evenness by PAST software and were compared in each of the abovedivisions. Gratest heterogeneity and richness indices were observed in area with slope greater than 30%. Results show that the area with 10-30 percent slope has the highest uniformity. Also, indices of heterogeneity and richness showed that north aspect has higher value than the other directions. Evenness indices indicate that the east direction has greater uniformity. Diversity indices among altitudinal levelrevealed that diversity, eveness and richness in altitudes greater than 2000 meter above see level is more than other altitudinal levels. The results showed that the vegetation diversity of the region are affected by the physiographical condition.

This study aimed to evaluate floristic list, life forms and chorology of plant species of Shalam protected area, which is in western Iran. This region characterized by various physiographic conditions and oak (Quercus brantii L. ) as the dominant tree species. Plant species were collected by field survey in May and June 2016. The species were identified and their chorology, growth form and life form were determined using taxonomy resources. The results showed that flora of this region includes 129 plant species, belonging to 34 families and 101 genera. The Poaceae (20 species), Papilionaceae (18 species), Asteraceae (15 species) and Lamiaceae (12 species) were the most frequently encountered families. The number of species was more in the south than in the north-facing slope in different elevation classes. According to Raunkiaer’ s classification of life forms, therophytes and hemicryptophytes were the dominant life forms in the study area. In addition, annunal and perennial forbs dominated the growth forms of both facing aspects. In geographical distribution point of view, Irano-turanian and Irano-turanian-Mediterranean in all physiographic conditions had the highest geographical distribution.