JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
Year:2017 | Volume:4 | Issue:9|Papers Count:15

Salt marshes around Urmia Lake with an area of 353150 hectares located in the West and East Azerbaijan provinces. In this research, the physical and chemical properties of the habitat soil of plant associations in the salt marshes around Lake Urmia was determined after reduction lake level. The soil samples were taken from depths of 0-30 cm for herbaceous associations and 0-50 cm for the bush and shrub associations. Physicochemical features of the soil including texture, pH, EC, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, HCO3, CO3, SO4 and SAR were measured in the soil laboratory. The data were analyzed using principal component analysis method in PC-ORD4 software. The results showed that there is the special relationship between the distribution plant associations and soil properties. The most important factors in the separation of the associations were EC, Cl, Na and texture.

Determine the relationships between distribution of vegetation types and environmental variables in rangelands of western Taftan, southeastern Iran. At each key area, vegetation sampling was carried out by randomized-systematic method along four sampling lines with 150- 200 m length. Quadrat size was determined by minimal area method with regard to the type of plant species which ranged from 2 to 25 m2. Sample size was determined 45-60 samples using statistical method by taking into account variation of vegetation. At each vegetation type, soils were sampled in 0-30 and 30-80 cm depths within eight soil profiles. Soil properties including gravel percent, texture, saturation moisture, available water, lime, gypsum, organic matter, acidity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) were measured by standard methods. Classification of vegetation using TWINSPAN in the study area generated five vegetation types with different ecological requirement. Analysis of the relationship between vegetation types and environmental gradient using principal component analysis showed that distribution of different vegetation types was mainly associated with environmental variables. Altitude, slope, gravel percent, geological formation, percentage of lime, and soil texture were the most important environmental variables, determining separation of plant communities in the studied rangeland. Knowledge on the effective environmental variables on plant species distribution can make possible the selection of plant species by range managers on the basis of their ecological requirements in range improvement and development programs. This important issue not only will increase success of vegetation management plant but also it will decrease management cost.

Deh- Kohneh forest is an enclosed area by 466 hectares, in the north of Fars province. This area has been protected as a wild pear species genetic storage since 1973 by the Fars Province Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management. In order to study effects of protection in forest zone, a fifty hectare area from enclosed forest and a 50 hectare area from unclosed forest, which are same in topography and forest type, were compared. The results showed that the numbers of tree and shrub species in enclosed area were significantly more than unclosed area. Compare the abundance of trees and shrubs represents a decline of P.glabra and P.syriaca and upgrades F.rotundifolia and D.mucronata identified in the unprotected area. The canopy cover in both areas was almost the same. The average of height for trees and shrubs in the protected area were smaller than unprotected area, because of regenerations. The current results showed that protection of Deh-kohneh forest for nearly half a century has been improved the quality and quantity of the forest structure. Therefore, it is suggested that with protection of such area, conservation of genetic resources in forests and creation a research area for other researchers can be provided in future.

This study investigated some characteristics of Thymbra spicata habitats in three areas of Tange bina, Telume and shirpaneh in Ilam province. Geomorphological characteristics of the areas investigated by satellite vision and feild survey. To detemine climate characteristics and bioclimate division of each area, climate parameters using nearest meteorology station and methods of demarton and Amberge were used respectively. Edaphic characteristics such as soil texture, Ec, PH, Na and organic matter were measured. Companion species, phonology and biometric characteristics of Thymbra spicata population were also investigated. Results showed that Shirpane have Asmari formation and two others area have Gachsaran formation. The areas had the average rainfall between 200 to 408 and the average of relative humidity were between 25 -40. Based on Amberge method the climate was hot desert to moderate arid and moderate semiarid. The soil of the area was loamy-sand with high amounts of lime and with low salinity and organic matter. The habitats of Thymbra spicata had 45 acompany species that they were belong to 27 plant familly. The density, average hight and average coverage of Thymbra spicata was measured between 192-1179 plant, 13-22 Cm and 195-447 cm2 respectively.

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the interactions between tree layer diversity and some morphological traits and nutrient elements of hornbeam leaves in forests of Asalam, Guilan. Nine research plots (50m×50 m) are sampled as a gradient from pure hornbeam stands to mixed stands with up to 9 deciduous tree species. Tree layer diversity and richness indices were measured and also leaves of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) trees were sampled in overstorey within each plot. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between tree-layer richness and diversity values and leaf traits including leaf lenght, petiole lenght, veins distance, leaf thickness, leaf area and serration number. But, Regression analysis showed that tree-layer diversity and richness measures were significantly negatively correlated with leaf width, fresh and dry weight of leaves. Correlation coefficients indicated that basal area of hornbeam trees was significantly positively correlated with weight of dry leaves and and negatively with special area of leaves. The result revealed that there was significant positive correlation between tree diversity and Mn amount and ADF, but tree richness had significantly positively correlated with ADF.

In order to select suitable cover for soil surface conservation in arid environments, considering criteria such as adaptability, canopy cover percentage, underground biomass and the amount of litter is of importance. Carex stenophylla Wahl. has features a lot in common with these criteria. The purpose of this essay is to introduce some of the ecological characteristics of this species. Accordingly, Bishezard rangeland in south of Fars province was selected as one of the sites of Ca. stenophylla habitat in south of Iran. The climatic trait and geology of the rangeland were recorded, Then chemical and physical properties of soil, vegetation type of site, vegetative variables of Ca. stenophylla and its companion plants were measured. Results showed that the appropriate growth condition for Ca. stenophylla was the altitude 1100-1300 meter A.S.L., mean annual rainfall 211 mm, mean annual temperature 17.32oC, and also warm and dry areas. The vegetation type of site included Artemisia sieberi Besser.and Helianthemum lippii(L.)pers. as dominant shrubs, with the presence of more than 37 plant species. Geologically, the site had Bakhtiari and Aghajari formation with sandy-clay soil texture. The maximum growth of this plant over a period of three months was about 12 cm and it also had clump spatial distribution pattern. This research also indicated that One of a unique properties of Ca. stenophylla was interwoven rhizome and fibrous root system expanding to depth of 10-15 cm. This trait can properly conserve soil surface and prevent soil erosion.

Sustainable development for utilization of medicinal plants, is required identifying the genetic resources, geographical distribution and recognizing the potentials of those, through recognition of capabilities and appropriate programming be able to prevent the excessive exploitation of them as direct harvest from the nature that cause the destruction and extinction of valuable species. By review of literature, and extensive fieldworks medicinal plants were collected, and identified and investigated in terms of floristic, lifeform, used by honeybee and being aromatic with comparison with the literature. Overall, 242 medicinal species were identified, which belong to 154 genera and 46 families and Asteraceae families with 46 species, Lamiaceae with 33 species, Apiaceae with 19 species, are the most important families at the study area. Achillea and Artemisia genera each with six species and Alyssum, Thymus, Plantago and Rumex each with five species were the richest genera. There are 107 aromatic medical species and 111 species, which are used by honeybee in the study area. According to the red book of Iran, eight species were classfied, which seven of them are in low-risk and one is in the lack of information status. In general, through identifying the genetic resources, geographical distribution and potentials in relation to medicinal plants and creation a systematic framework for planting and harvesting of them, in order to protect natural resources, treatment of diseases and production of raw materials for related industries, employment creation and providing suitable resources to export, will be possible.

Beech forests of northern Iran in the Hyrcanian ecosystem are considered as the richest and most valuable forests in the northern hemisphere. The present study was carried out in the part of the district No 3, Nav, Asalem (3770 ha) in the west of Guilan Province. In order to identify the flora, the Chorology, life forms and growth forms, herbaceous understory plants within the beech forests were studied. Totally, 109 plant species belonging to 75 genera and 41 families were identified in the Asalem beech forests, Which in the species of Vicia abbreviata spreng. of the Papilionaceae family and Hieracium vulgatum spreng. of the Asteraceae family have been reported for the first time in Guilan province. Families of Dryopteridaceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae and Papilionaceae comprised a total of 35 species (32.1%). The most important life forms belonged to geophytes (48.6%) and hemicryptophytes (40.3%) in the this region. Chorological study also showed the dominance of the Hyrcanian phytogeographical region. In terms of growth forms, frequency of forbs, grasses and ferns was 77%, 12% and 11%, respectively. The presence of 109 herbaceous plants in understory showed the higher herbaceous species richness in this forest which is due to Asalem beech forests location that lies in suitable geographical position and site under the impact of Hyrcanian climate. The higher Europe-Siberian vegetation confirms this issue.

This paper studied thein the mountain rangelands in Gonabad, Khorasan- province. vegetation sampling was conducted using random-systematic method. In this study, the effects of altitude, slope and aspects were studied on the quantitative characteristics such as species density, maximum trunk diameter, maximum crown diameter, height and age shrub and qualitative characteristics such as regeneration, vitality and understory condition. The results showed that the topography, especially altitude and slope, has significant effect on growth quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sumac shrubs, in the Kakhk Watershed. So that, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sumac shrubs at the altitudes above 2,000 meters above sea level, are better than the altitudes of lower than 2000 meters above sea level. Also, vitality, regeneration and understory condition in north and east aspects are better than the other directions.

Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.) is one of the most recognized plants in order to improve and restore pasture. Due to poor soil in the country one of the fastest ways of management for optimum growth and recovery of degraded areas to add amendments to the soil. This study aimed to investigate the effect of zeolite and compost on soil characteristics and performance of Vetiver Grass in a randomized complete block design with three replications for five months a year in the greenhouse of the University of Malayer was 2014-2015. Zeolite in five levels of zero (control), 1, 2, 3 and 4% by weight of soil and compost manure in four levels zero (control), 20, 40 and 60% by volume of soil to the pot of five kilograms of contained base Vetiver was added. Significant effect of treatments and an increase in the parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture and soil K levels created and decreased soil bulk density but did not make a significant difference in the Ca and Mg soil. The effects of manure to reduce the density of the soil, was more than zeolite. Compilation of zeolite and compost levels increased significantly in all parameters measured were Vetiver Grass. The highest percentage of essential oil treatment 1 wt% zeolite and 20% by volume of compost and the lowest percentage of essential oil in the treatment of the zeolite and 20% by volume of compost was created. Also crude protein content of leaf, length shoot and roots and concentration of soluble sugars and insoluble in different treatments zeolite and compost the impact of a significant increase in relation to the control. However, this increase has not been uniform linear. It seems that using combination of zeolite and compost has been positive effects on soil properties and crop yield Vetiver.

Investigation to variation between and within same populations of Diospyros lotus based on leaf morphological characteristics, three populations were selected along a elevation transect (populations A, B and C with 300, 500 and 700 meters above sea level, respectively) and 10 tree of each sex from each site was selected. Some leaves from any tree in the first- September collected and randomly, five leaves per each of the triple replication of research separated in 2013 and 10 leaf morphological traits were measured. According to the result of variance analysis between the populations, all traits except wet weight, leaf shape and width of lamina at 0.1, was significant at p< 0.01. Comparison mean between populations showed that population C had the highest amount of mean in all investigated traits. According to the analysis of variances within population, difference between genotypes of male and female sex in each location, the most of traits investigated of leaf was significant. Finally the best genotypes in per populations were introduced that can use for seed collection to seedling production.

The aim of this research was investigation on relationship of vegetation and soil in river banks of dryland regions. The two study areas selected for with different type vegetation cover. According to this selected 2 transect with 500 m length and distance 50m quadrates in 3 x 3m and quadrates 1 x 1m were sampled for vegetation analysis from the river banks. The parameters measured included canopy surface area, bare soil area and litter. Five soil samples was taken from the 0-45 cm depth at each location, and analyzed for pH, EC, available phosphorus, available potassium and texture. Data analyzed using SPSS software. The data shows that there have been plants such as Tamarx, Salsola and Hammada in end of river. Average of vegetation cover, bare soil surface and the litter were 14.8, 79 and 6.2%, respectively. Also, in up of study area has been occupied by Haloxylon and Hammada. Average of mention parameters were 12, 81.2 and 6.6%, respectively. Analyzed of vegetation shows that no significantly between canopy, bare soil area and litter in two areas. Analyzed of soil characteristics shows that there are significantly between soil samples in two regions. Therefore, the data shows that the soil causes difference in vegetation on river banks.

Ephedra strobilacea species is valuable plant in terms of forage and soil and water conservation, and also has many applications in medicine. In this study, potential habitat for this species was modeled using Maxent method in Poshtkouh Yazd Rangeland, and was introduced the factors important that effecting on the distribution of this species and their potential ecological range. For this purpose, the information related to the species presence point using field survey, data on soil variables using geostatistical methods, topographical information from a digital elevation model maps and climate information from maps available were prepared. Layers environmental variables were prepared by using GS+ and ARC GIS software. The correlations between environmental variables were evaluated and of 24 environment variables suitable been diagnosed to enter the model and software Maxent 3.3. The results showed that E. strobilacea is a gypsophyte, Because the second depth gyps is most important indicator influence on the habitat prefer of this species (35- 40%). Next variables affecting in this species presence are variables of first depth gyps (5-35%), Lime of both depth (5-45%), the sand of both depth (45-90%), Ca of the first depth (5- 40%) and EC is less than 10 dS m. Also, the most probability of the establishment and distribution of this species is in the low slope areas (less than% 10%). The accuracy and the ability of predictions model was assessed good for this species based on the area under the curve (AUC=0.98). Kappa coefficient from the comparing actual and prediction maps obtained 0.88 that it was very good level.