JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
Year:2018 | Volume:6 | Issue:12 |Papers Count:15

Mistletoe (Loranthus europeaus Jacq. ) is belong to Santalales order, Loranthaceae family and Loranthus genous and is main pests of forest trees which are of coexistence with species such as Quercus brantii, Acer monspessulanum and Amygdalys elaeagnifolia. In the present study, effects of the Mistletoe on the absorption of Nitrogen, Phosphor, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium in Q. brantii, A. monspessulanum and A. elaeagnifolia species as common hosts of mistletoe in Ilam province was studied. For this purpose, nine sites which containing the highest amount of mistletoe were chosen randomaizly at least sex trees from each species, leaf samples before and after attack, mistletoe sample, and healthy branch as control sample were chosen. The results showed that the amount of N, P, K, and Mn in mistletoe and in non polluted branch of Q. brantii and A. elaeagnifolia was significantly more than polluted branches. In addition, the amount of organic matter, N and P in spring season and Ca and ash in fall was of the most. Also, the results showed that before mistletoe attack, the amount of N, P, and K in A. monspessulanum and A. elaeagnifolia leafs was higher than of Q. brantii species, while after the attack the amount of K decreased in all of the species. So that, these decreases were the most in A. elaeagnifolia, A. monspessulanum and Q. brantii respectively. Mistletoe absorb especially in spring from host trees and caused to dieback them. So, we can say that nutrient absorption after and before of mistletoe attack is significantly difrrent. Also, some of these nutrents were different in variety positions of trees.

For scientific management and correct on rangelands ecosystems, relieve information from topics health indicator and function is necessity. Assessment rangelands ecosystems opposite reactions of environment and management for beneficiaries this type of ecosystems is high importance. The National Golestan Park and its rangelands environments with consideration to kind of management (conservation) can be had different perspective structure and function. Therefore, Therefore the aim of this research is Survey features structure and function ecological patches rangelands in three areas area national Golestan parks, Ghorkhoud protected area and Espakhoo area. With this purpose in every of study area eastern Hill slope is surveyed on three, 50 meters transects in point dominant Hill slope, patches and inter-patches in 3 frequencies. By Using of model LFA (Landscape Function Analysis) is surveyed three features function (soil stability, permeability and nutrient cycle) and features structure (numbers of patch, total patches area, patches area index, indicator of Landscape). The result of study shows that more structural attributes (mean length patch, number patch, mean width patch, total surface, indicator of surface patch and indicator structure) in national park area is more from Ghorkhoud area and Espakhoo. On opinion stability indicator different between national park area and Ghorghoud was not significant (p<0/05). In national park area and Ghorkhoud is the highest function indicator related to ecologic paddock of grass+forb and in Espakhoo area is the highest function indicator is related to ecologic paddock shrub+forb. From features structure and function can apply early perceptions for determining of destruction rangelands and this through necessary emprises available for preservation of intensity destruction or improvement of qualification.

Ethiopian (Brassica carinata) and Indian (B. juncea) mustards from Brassicacea are important oily crops. Ethiopian mustard with a deep root system is resistant to drought and heat and Indian mustard is a promising plant for metal phytoremediation. Accordingly the potential for the absorption, tolerance and remedation of lead (Pb) by these species grown in contaminated soils were investigated. Plants were grown in greenhouse in soils contaminated with 15, 300 and 600 mg kg-1 of Pb, harvested after 7 weeks and analyzed for parameters including length, dry weight, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments and Pb concentration. Both species had great stress tolerance indices to Pb. Furthermore, Pb treatments did not significantly affect root and shoot lengths, dry weights and specific leaf area in both mustards. Although photosynthetic pigments in Ethiopian mustard remained unaffected by Pb treatments, the contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids decreased in 600 mg kg-1 Pb treatment in the Indian mustard. Root Pb concentrations of both Ethiopian and Indian mustard significantly increased with rise in lead contamination, so that the ratio of Pb concentration of root to soil (bioconcentration factor) increased. Pb concentration in the shoot of Ethiopian mustard was significantly increased in 600 mg kg-1 of Pb, which this amount in the control and treatment of 600 Pb was 7 and 30 mg kg-1, respectively. However, there was no significant change in other treatments. Both plants displayed low translocation factor for Pb. Thus, with regards to biomass, stress tolerance indices, high Pb concentration in root and thereby, high bioconcentration factors both Ethiopian and Indian mustards can be useful in phytostabilization Pb contaminated soils and remediation of these soils in urban and industrial areas.

Road construction in forest ecosystem makes changes in vegetation composition, biodiversity and soil characteristics. To investigate changes in plant communities due to road construction in Zagros forest ecosystem, two-kilometer of roads which is located in coppice and coppice with standard stand (in Bakool region, Lorestan province) was selected. Twelve transects were selected at different intervals of the road axis. To collect of plant and soil samles, in intervals of 20, 50, and 100 meters from the road edge 72 plot 20×20 meter were selected On each one of transects. Relationship of vegetation and soil properties investigated by using of the canonical-correlation analysis (CCA) and for grouping of plant species two-way indicator species (TWINSPAN) analysis used. Biodiversity was estimated by using the Simpson and Shannon – wiener diversity indices, Margalef and Menhinic indices and the Pilo index. Results showed that the species composition of sections close to the road was different from the sections inside the forest and they were classified in two separate groups. Also results showed that the greatest amount of organic carbon, lime, saturation, absorbable potassium were seen at distance of 100 m in coppice and seed stand and also the greatest amount of absorbable phosphorous was seen at distance of 50 and 100 m in this stand. Also the greatest amount of salinity, total nitrogen and bulk density were seen at distance of 20 and 50 m in coppice seed stand. Acording to the results biodiversity indices showed that the greatest amount at distance of 100 m in both stands. The results of this study showed the negative impacts of road construction on the vegetation composition and physic-chemical properties of soil in this forest.

This study aims at investigating the factors affecting the villagers' participation in natural resource conservation projects. This study is to investigate the perspectives of experts in natural resource projects towards the factors influencing the participation through identifying and recognizing the factors affecting the villagers' participation in natural resource projects by using Q-research method. First, an attempt has been made to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the causes of the villagers' participation based on the results of research projects related to the villagers' participation in natural resource projects and analysis of the existing discursive context. Then, different views on this issue were identified and classified with the involvement of experts to take a step far from the presented analysis. At the next step, by using purposive sampling of experts involved in natural resources, 36 subjects participated in the Q-sorting stage. According to the logic of Q-methodology, the Q-Factor analysis as the main method for analyzing Q data matrix was used. The results of Q-factor analysis indicated three perspectives of natural resources experts with regards to the factors influencing the participation. The first perspective is characterized as "participatory" and emphasizes on the role of rural communities in all stages of the project implementation. The second perspective is based on the societies' "empowerment" and the third one focuses on the development of "knowledge" in local communities. Furthermore, the item "considering the economic needs of beneficiaries in designing plans for the protection of natural resources" with its repetition in all three perspectives had the highest frequency and the research dominant discourse focuses on this item. Attracting the actual participation of Iranian specialists to participate in Q-methodology is time consuming and difficult.

Due to rangeland ecosystems management role on nutrient, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between soil and plant nutrients in different grazing management and their changes in the Laseoureh rangland, Lorestan Province. For this, the study area was obtained and grazing treatments including grazing, short-term grazing exclosure (one year exclusion) and mid-term grazing exclosure (five years exclusion) was determined by field surveying. Then, the sampling was done by two transects (100m) and 10 plots (1m2) with randomly systematic method. Then sampling was done based on canopy cover percentage in the plots after determination of dominant species. Also, soil sampling was done according to mean root depth in each plot under dominant species. Then, plant and soil properties such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were determined in laboratory. Finally, the data were analyzed using the SPSS 20 software. The statistical processing was conducted by analysis of variance and Tukey-test. The results showed that rangeland species and grazing managements has a significant effect on all nutrient elements (P≤ 0. 05) but the interaction effect of rangeland species and grazing managements significantly (P≤ 0. 05) effect on P. Also, the elements were increased significantly from grazing treatment to one year exclosure and years exclosure while the effect of five years exclosure were increased soil nutrients and short-term exclosure had no significant difference with grazing treatment.

The present study aimed to examine the effects of stratification on tree layers diversity and some features of beech trees in Hyrcanican forest, Guilan, Asalem. Also, interactions between tree diversity and some characteristics of beech leaves was investigated. The Nine research plots are sampled as a gradient from pure beech stands to mixed stands with up to 9 deciduous tree species with three replications for each. Each research site had a size of 2500 m2 (50 m × 50 m). In each tree layers, diversity indices, crown diameter, DBH and frequency of beech tree were measured within plots. The results showed that the highest value of richness and diversity indices belonged to the second tree layer. The highest amount of basal area and crown diameter were observed in the first tree layer (overstorey). Regression analysis showed that tree layer diversity and richness measures were significantly positively correlated with fresh and dry weight of beech leaves. Correlation coefficients indicated that beech frequency was significantly positively correlated with weight of fresh leaves and negatively with dry weight of leaves. There was significantly negatively correlation between basal area of beech trees with fresh and dry weight of leaves within stands. In general, it can be stated that diversity-functioning relationships might occur in the tree-layer of the deciduous beech forest under investigation.

Mutual relations between two plants, establishment and survival their affects, therefore, knowledge of how this relationship can be use for the maintenance repair and management of pastures and rangeland species. of the cognition which effective ingredient can be facilitated and competition to predict the vegetation dynamics and ecosystem management in one area can be used. This research was to study the potential competition between the two species pasture B. tomentellus and P. pratensis also survey the effect of competition ground and shoot organs in the form of laboratory work and sampling from the pasture was carried. This experiment in a completely randomized design with four treatments (two control and two competition treatment) in gonbade kavus university in 2015 took place in the greenhouse. For cultivation plants and competitive environment of the plastic pots whth diameter and height of 22 cm was used. Pots filled with rich soil and the seed was planted by characteristic pattern. The pots were watered every day. Prune cultivated species were used to achieve the intended density. In order to evaluate the coverage of these two species in the pasture was go to saraliabad area of Gorgan and measurements were carried of vegetation. The results show factors shoot dry weight and height of B. tomentellus species significant difference statistically there was no between competition and control treatment but in the shoot dry weight and height of p. pratensis species significant difference statistically between the competition and control treatment was observed. The results this research showed that ground organ dry weight and root length between control and competition treatment meaningful in both species. Analysis of the data shows that shoot organ in any B. tomentellus species in competition with p. pratensis species not recessive and has been able to give compensatory response but the performance of p. pratensis species decreased in competition with B. tomentellus species and compensatory response has been no observed. According to the results of vegetation measurements in the saralianad area in percent attendance in the study plots B. tomentellus species 21/6% and p. pratensis species 12/2% was measured that expressing conquest and superiority of B. tomentellus species in the shoot organ part than p. pratensis species in the area of study.

In order to study the allelopathic effect of dried common saltwort plant (Salsola kali) on some crops seed germination characteristics and seedling heterotrophic growth, a study was conducted in the laboratory of agriculture and natural resources faculty in Mohghegh Ardabili University. The aquatic extract of common saltwort in three consistency (1-3 and 5 %) and control in a completely randomized basic design (CRD) was evaluated on germination percentage, speed of germination, root and shoot length and seedling dry matter of safflower, sunflower, wheat, vetch, alfalfa, barley, corn and rapeseed. The results proved the allelopathic effect of common saltwort because all the evaluated germination characteristics of the studied crops showed a significant decrease comparing to the control. Due to the allelopathic effect of common saltwort, germination and primary seedling growth of crops encountered impressive damages so that, germination percentage, speed of germination, root and shoot length, and seedling dry matter reduction leads to diminution of crops yield. It seems that sunflower, wheat and corn receive less damage from allelochemicals of common saltwort plant. So these crops are more recommendable in contaminated lands.

Rangeland is one of the important natural resources in different aspects such as, forage production, livestock, promenade and soil and water conservation. Therefore, it is necessary to study rangelands for their management and conservation. Here, Field studies of rangelands are time consuming and costly. So, it was common models application to estimate rangelands vegetation parameters. In this study, ANN was used to estimate rangelands cover percent and GIS was used as a pre-processing and post-processing in modeling respectively in the Baladeh rangelands (Mazandaran Province). Multi-layer percepetron (MLP) network and multivariate regression method were used to estimate rangelands cover percent (training stage). In modeling process, sampling and estimation cover percent was performed in the 127 sites. Also, the affecting factors in cover percent were evaluated such as; topography, climatic factors, soil and mankind factors. Multivariate regression and stepwise method were used to simulate rangeland cover in SPSS software. An optimal network was presented by using cover percent as desired parameter and the affecting factors in cover percent as the network inputs. Then, optimum network was verified (test stage). The study area was divided with the pixels 1×1 km (raster format) in GIS medium. Then, the model input layers were combined and a raster layer was generated that included the model inputs values and geographic coordinate. The values of pixels (model inputs) were entered into ANN with geographic coordinate. The results showed that ANN has a higher efficiency and accuracy (model test; Rsqr=0. 72) than multivariate regression method (model test; Rsqr=0. 6) in rangeland cover modeling. In the next step, cover percent was simulated using the verified optimum network for all of the study rangelands. Finally, the results of ANN simulation were entered into GIS and cover percent map was generated based on the simulated results of ANN. The results showed that coupling of ANN and GIS has an high capability (test stage: Rsr= 0. 72) in rangelands cover percent modeling.

Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss, with white aromatic flowers is a native rare species and the only National monument of Iran. This plant has medicinal, ornamental value and high economic potential as a new flower that is extremely endangered and as its wild populations are currently at risk of rapid eradication because of irregular grazing, pest and poaching. Tuse, the aim os this study was determining the nutritional value of L. ledebourii in vegetative, flowering and seeding phenological stages, samples were randomly collected including three replication and five plants from the aerial shoots of lily in Kelardasht and Asalem. And Nutritional Value indices including crude protein (CP), Acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), metabolic energy (ME) were analyzed. The results of this study showed that the phonological stages have a significant effect on the nutritional value of Lily, and the nutritional value of vegetative stage is higher than of the other stages in both habitats. As Crude protein, dry matter digestibility and metabolic energy content decreased from early growth to the end of growth and ADF increased significantly with the growth progress. Also the highest nutritional values were obtained from Kelardasht. It seems that nutritional value are affected by ecological factors changes such as the soil, direction, slope and altitude.

Today, preservation of diversity the species of medicine-rangeland and preventing of genetic erosion is importance. Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss is one of the most important plants that exposed to extinction because of the irregular removal and climate changes. Hence, in the present study, the effects of encapsulation-dehydration and vitrification with hydration solutions (PVS2 and PVS3) in the technique of protection cryopreservation on Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss seeds were studied. Then the seeds were kept for 20 hours in nitrogen liquid tank with temperature of-196 C˚ . After spending the period of freezing, the seeds were placed in Bain Mari at 40˚ C to make melting and thermal shock. The seeds were cultured in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The percentage and rate of germination, seed vigor index, root length, stem length and fresh and dry weight of the plants were evaluated. Treatment of encapsulation-dehydration decreased, significantly and dramatically, the percentage and speed of germination index and seed vigor index. Minimum and maximum of seedling length was obtained in treatments of encapsulation-dehydration and vitrification with dehydration solution of PVS3, respectively. Root dry weight was not influence by different treatments of cryopreservation, but encapsulation-dehydration treatment reduced the dry weight of shoot significantly. The results showed that the treatment of vitrification with a dehydration solution of PVS3 can decrease the stresses of the transition to the conditions of cryopreservation and improve the quality of the seeds the plants that are exposed to extinction and destruction.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of altitude on the structure and composition of species diversity in North of Sabalan on the grass-shrubland physiognomic unit. After a field survey with regard to the road accessibility, sampling at three height levels (less than 2000, 2500 to 2000 and more than 2500 m) along the 7 transects, and 10 one square m plot at each transect were collected. In each plot the percentage of canopy cover and species density, and land cover parameters were recorded. Plant samples were collected and identified. Soil sample were collected from each transect and parameters were measured in the laboratory. Mean ccomparison of transects and height levels was conducted using Duncan test. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) for grouping sampling locations and to evaluate the effect of ecological factors in the distribution of plant species were used. The results of the data analysis for 7 transects and 3 height levels, showed that the effect of elevation on the canopy cover (P≤ 0. 01) and species density (P≤ 0. 05) is significant. According to the results of PCA with 94/18% of the variance, pH, organic matter particles, organic matter, sand, temperature, altitude, rainfall, phosphorus, mean weight diameter, electrical conductivity, bare soil, stone and gravel, potassium, clay, slope and litter from the first four components are the factors in the distribution of vegetation. In the CCA method with 76/9% of the variance based on three components, potassium, percentage of silt and slope, rainfall, altitude, lime, phosphorus, temperature, electrical conductivity, percentage of bare soil, mean weight diameter, the percentage of organic matter particles, percentage of clay and gravel, organic matter, litter, sand and pH, respectively are the factors in the distribution of vegetation. The results of this study can be used in the proper rangelands management of Sabalan, particularly in the improvement and development of these rangelands.

Drill-seeding with Prangos ferulacea had been a common technique of rangeland restoration in central Zagros. It seems that no sufficient attention has been paid to ecological fitness of this species at planting time. Also, no monitoring has been done to show this species impacts on composition species after drill-seeding. In this study the effect of drill-seeding of this species was studied on species composition. This was carried out on Tange Sayad rangelands in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Vegetation was sampled on four sites, one as control and three densities of drill-seeding with P. ferulacea (low, moderate and high). The sampling was done using 2. 25 m2 plot along transects. The result of this study showed 75 species were recorded in this area. In control site and low, moderate and high density of drill-seeding by Prangos 69, 50, 30 and 33 plant species respectively. The results showed that the species Astragalus microcephalus, Bromus danthoniae, Bromus tectorum and Melica persica were the major species in control site and Geranium tuberosum, Prangos ferulacea and Ziziphora tenuir were higher tended to high density of Prangos. Also, Multivariate analyses showed that drill-seeding significantly influenced the species composition of vegetation composition. The result showed that goal of restoration was achieved regarding forage biomass and soil conservation. However, this species have negative impact on vegetation due to its dense stand. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid dense seeding. Also, it is better to apply mixed seeding.

Water and soil contamination by petroleum compounds are important due to their toxicity and carcinogenic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar and compost on phytoremediation of heavy metal and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) by Ziziphus spina-christi (L. ) Willd. In this study, one-year old Z. spina-christi seedlings were selected and 0, 1 and 2 percent of biochar and compost were used to evaluate the phytoremediation. Experiment were performed total randomized block design with three replications. One way ANOVA (Analysis of variance) was used for analysis. Our results indicated the significant effect of biochar and compost on phytoremediation ability of Z. spina-christi. The largest and the smallest values of soil TPH were belonged to control and two percent compost, respectively. Also, concentration of nickel in soil was the smallest in one percent biochar compared to the other treatments. While, the largest value of nickel belonged to the control. Furthermore, the least and the highest values of vanadium belonged to one percent compost and control, respectively. Our result indicated the importance of soil biochar and compost to improving Z. spina-christi phytoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils.