JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION
Year:2016 | Volume:4 | Issue:8|Papers Count:11

The use of bio-fertilizers makes the movements of heavy metals difficult in soil. This research was conducted based on a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replications in the Malayer University. Pots contained the mixture of soil and different weights (0 and 60%) of vermicompost as a bio fertilizer. The plants exposed to cadmium nitrate concentrations (0, 4 and 8 mmol per kg). The results showed that by increasing the concentration of cadmium the length of roots and the height of the plants were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The effect of Cadmium ion the vermicompost fertilizer on the root to shoot ratio was significant at the 5% level. The highest value of root to shoot ratio that was 69 which was observed in Cd1V1 treatment. The maximum numerical value of total protein and survival capacity was observed in Cd1V2 while the minimum numerical value of total protein and survival capacity was observed in the Cd3V1 treatments. Translocation Factor (TF) was significantly decreased by the use of the vermicompost fertilizer. The highest root concentration factor (RCF) of Cd was found in V1×Cd2 in comparison with the other treatments. Generally, tolerance index (TI) of all the studied plants was significantly high in the low lead concentration. In addition, the performance of three studied plants showed that MR species in comparison with two other species had high survival capacity, tolerance index, Translocation Factor, protein content and growth indices in the presence of the cadmium ion and the bio fertilizer.

The use of waste water in the agriculture may reduce the pollution of soil and water resources, preserves the hydric resources and increases availability of nutritious and water for plants. Trees can convert some harmful pollutants to non-harmful material via absorption, accumulation in aerial organ, respiration and photosynthesis. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of irrigation with municipal waste water on accumulation of some pollutants material in trees and its effect on their ecological characteristics. This study was carried out in two planted Eucalyptus camadulensis Dehnh site in Hesarsorkh- plain dry around Qom: irrigated with treated wastewater and irrigated with well water. In each site, frequency, density and canopy cover of trees have been studied in 10 random sampling plots of 10 × 10 meters. The richness, diversity and uniformity of the plants was also calculated. Chemical properties of trees (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus) were measured by flame photometer. The data were analyzed in a factorial design with Duncan. According to results, the percentage of canopy cover was increased, whereas richness species was decreased in the area irrigated with waste water. No significant effect was observed on biodiversity of plants. Phosphorus, potassium and sodium, were increased significantly in tree planted in the area irrigated with waste water compared to control area (P<0.5%). The increase of Phosphorus, potassium and sodium were 25.08, 38.04 and 40.02 respectively.

Recognition of the quality value of forage at phonological stages is necessary for rangeland management. In this study, the quality of G.tournefortii Leaf, stem and seed was compared at three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and seeding) in four natural regions of North East of Khozestan province (Dehdez, ShahzadeAmad1, SahzadeAhmad2 and DareKhorson). Soil texture, lime, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), an organic material, N and P contents were sampled in 0-30 cm depth. The aerial parts of G. tournefortii (leaf, stem and seed) were collected, dried. Then crude protein (CP), dry matter digestibility (DMD), Water Soluble Carbohyrates (WSC), Ash and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were measured by NIR method. For statistical analysis multivariate analysis of variance was used. In addition Duncan test was applied to compare means. The results demonstrated that five parameters of nutritional values of G.tournefortii leaf at vegetative stage were higher than two flowering and seeding stages in the four habitats. The comparison of the means indicated that the there were significant differences in different habitats (p<0.01). The highest nutritional values of G.tournefortii aerial part was observed in Dehdez habitat and the lowest amount in DareKhorson habitat. Analyzing soil characteristics showed there was a significant difference at the level of 99% in high percentage of lime (35.667±1), EC (2.15±0.045), pH (8.733±0.05) in Darekhorson habitat. This habitat had the most unfavorable soil conditions. Dehdez habitat with high content of N (1.87±0.05), Organic matter (3.6±0.3) and P (45±0.1) had the most favorable soil conditions. In fact, the changes of the nutritional values of G. tournefortii specie were influenced by the habitat conditions.

There are several factors cause winter rangelands degradation. This degradation has not been addressed particularly in socio-economically. Moreover, the role of degradation in natural resources has not been determined. Thus, in policy making and planning it is necessary to pay attention to both human and physical factors in natural resources in particular rangelands. The object of this study was determining the socio-economic factors which were associated with winter rangelands degradation of Joybar city. The statistical population consisted 92 rangeland users from 6 custom units (Samane Orfi) Anarpa, Paeinrud, Chaftsar, Anarmarz, Futamsophla, Moshk-abad. The 74 rangeland users (as samples) were determined by Cochran formula. For collecting data questionnaires were used. The questionnaires were filled on the basis of interviews. Questionnaire validity and reliability was done by specialists' views and Kronbach alpha coefficient (0.635).Totally questionnaires were filled randomly by the experts of that region. Responses were analyzed by SPSS20 software after extracting and grouping in Excel. Results indicated that among socio-economic indices which were effective in decreasing the level of winter rangeland, only the economic index related to the change of the rangeland users’ lifestyle was significant. Also there was a significant and positive relationship between the variables of this index and winter rangeland degradation at the level of 95 percent. Moreover, the variables determined 86% of the dependent variable variance. The results of the comparison of the means of variables from the perspectives of local reviewees showed there was a significant difference among the variables at the level of 1%. The results of regression analysis showed that the more effective factors on winter rangeland degradations were "common utilization effects, land use change, competition in increasing number of livestock and poverty and revenues.

Lead (Pb) is one of the heavy metal pollutants in the environment. Various concentrations of lead in the germination stage were applied to the plant in order to evaluate the effect of Lead stress in different growth stages of bermudagrass and phonology. Concentrations of lead nitrate solution were at 0, 20, 40, 80, 100, 150 and 300 mg L -1applied on germination stage. Then germination indices such as the percentage of seed germination, root and shoot length of seedling and etc were assessed. After the adaptation of the plants to the habitat, to evaluate the refining ability and other developmental traits, irriagation with a concentration of 800 ppm of lead nitrate was carried out. The results showed that Pb stress at 20-300 mg L-1 concentrations dramatically decreased the germination and seed vigor. In addition, this irriagation reduced shoot and root length at 40-300 mg L-1 concentrations compared with the control. Lead stress in the early stages of bermudagrass growth stage had effects on some traits of establishment stage. These effects were in such a way that in the next developmental stage, the plants produced shorter and wider leaves (0.7 less and 1.6 more respectively), longer stolon and more stolon number compared with the control in later growth stages. Bermudagrass was sensitive to concentrations of lead in early stage of growth and germination. Seedling growth was limited, but after the plants have been established, they could show tolerance towards a number of mechanisms such as the development of stolons to the lead stress.

Interrelationships between plants effect on their establishment and survival, as a result, knowledge of how these relationships occur can be used for the maintenance of species and improvement and management of rangelands. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Astragalus microcephalus on index vegetation under the canopy in semi-steppe rangeland of protected area in Tange-sayad. For this purpose, percentage of vegetation covers under the canopy of this species and its open space adjacent was measured using a flexible plot along the 100 meters transect. The results showed that 30 species under the canopy of Astragalus microcephalus and 33 plant species in the open space adjacent. In the under canopy of Astragalus microcephalus 6 exclusive species such as Chaerophyllum macropodum, Onobrychis gaubae, Salvia ceratophila, Stachys pilifera and Artemisia aucheri existed that mostly related to perennial, palatable and pharmaceutical plants. In contrast, open space exist 9 exclusive species including Centaurea virgata, Hypecum pendulum, Clypeola aspera, Roemeria refrecta and Xeranthemum annum that mostly related to invasive and annuals species plant. Generally, the vegetation index (Diversity and richness, Finctional groups) under canopy of Astragalus microcephalus due to moderate grazing livestock in the region less affected to mechanical facilitating of Astragalus microcephalus but the facilitating role of Astragalus microcephalus in preserving of valuable plant species is highly visible.

Knowing the ecological needs of herbal plants is the first step to produce these herbal plants. The main purpose of the present research is to study the characteristics of Verbascum songaricum schrenk habitat in central Zagros region in Iran. The current study was conducted in five rangeland sites in Dareh Hose, Ghahiz, Semirom, GhaleGhadam, and Dena as the most important V. songaricum habitats habitats in Isfahan and Kohgiluyeh and Buyerahmad provinces. Ecological factors including climate characteristics, physiography and soil physicochemical properties in the habitats were evaluated. To determining similarities and differences between the habitats, a cluster analysis was used. The results showed that V.songaricum grew in the semi cold regions with precipitation between 300-500mm with average annual temperature of 9.4 C. The electrical conductivity of the soil ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 ds/m and its organic matter ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 %. According to results, the species was distributed in southern and eastern directions, and 2400 to 2900 meters above sea level. According to the cluster analysis, the studied areas were located in two main habitats: (1). Dareh Hose and Ghahiz, and (2). Semirom, Ghale Ghadam and Dena.

The present research was implemented to determine the effect of some soil and topographic factors on the distribution of medicinal plants in the rangeland of Olang, Golestan province. In the study area, random_systematic method using 100 one meter square plots had been done. Plant parameters such as density, abundance, and canopy cover were measured in each plot, respectively. In order to measure some physical and chemical properties of soil, soil sampling was implemented in 0-30 cm in some plots. Cononical corespondence analysis (CCA) was used to determine the correlation between the environmental factors and medicinal plant species, inter-relation between environmental factors and determining the most important ecological factor affecting on distribution of selected medicinal plants. The results showed that in the low grazing area, soil sand (0.487) and Th.kotschyanus (3.057) and in heavy grazing area total ground cover (2.177) and Th.kotschyanus (2.73) has the most correlation with axis 1. In the low gazing area, altitude, aspect and soil sand and in the heavy grazing area, total ground cover, aspect and soil sand had the most the most effect on distribution of the selected important medicinal plants in the study area.

Knowledge of ecological resilience is needed to understanding the secret of dominant of species in the ecosystems, species migration and the effects of disturbances. Main objective of this study is identifying the most important of ecological resilience in semi-arid mountain rangelands. Study area was Semirom (mountain rangelands, Vank area), located in the south of Isfahan province. The attributes were the share of index species in species composition, vegetation patches, distance between the patches, lichens diversity, soil nitrogen, soil potassium and soil organic carbon. The disturbances were 5 stoking rate (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 animal unit) animal units per hectare, to be studied for 4 years and 5 scenarios (grazing and ungrazing alternatively and consecutively). Data gathered by random sampling in transects and nested sampling units. Statistical analysis (eigenvalue, correlation, regression, beta diversity and simulation) done by the PC-ORD, PAST, and MATLAB softwares. The result showed that the attributes of the share of index species in species composition, soil organic carbon, vegetation patches and of lichens diversity indicates the amount of pressure on ecosystems and ecological resilience well. This attributes can be use in rangeland management as ecological indicators in inventory of under-pressure rangeland and ecosystem resilience.

This study was done in order to determine the amount of Pb, Cu and Zn amount in the soil and Kochia prostrates around Firoozkooh cement factory in Tehran. 15 Soil and 15 Kochia prostrate samples were collected from the surrounding region of around the cement factory, to be precise, from 500 meters to 2000 meters away from the prevailing wind direction. The control samples were collected from the opposite prevailing wind direction (2500 meters away from the factory). The collected samples were transported to the laboratory for testing. In this research, a completely randomized deign was used by 5 treatments and 3 replications. Data were analyzed via variance analysis, means comparison by Duncan, t-test. The results showed that the concentration of all three measured elements in the control and polluted soil had a significant difference. Generally the concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in control soil were 8.69, 11.34 & 33.95 while the concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in polluted soil were 18.6, 31.79, and 66.12 respectively. Also the analysis of the concentration variance of the elements in the soil away from the factory and the sample plants had a significant difference at the level of 1% and 5%respectively. The concentration of Pb and Cu in underground parts was more than the aerial parts. The amount of concentration in the underground parts were 10.31 and 21.94 while in the aerial parts were 3.14 and 13.84 mg/kg respectively while the concentration of Zn in the aerial parts was 97.02, but in the underground parts was 88.52. The pollution index for pb and Cu was with a low average but this index for zn was with a high average.

Present study was done with the aim of investigating environmental factors influence on Prangos pabularia Lindl. In Nir and Kousar in the rangelands of Ardabil province. Seven sites of Prango ssp were determined from which Prangos pabularia Lindl. was dispersed in two sites. In these two selected sites, sampling plots were determined. Three transects with 100 m length were recorded. In addition, ten plots with 4m2 area were recorded on three transects. Soil samples with 30 cm depth were recorded from the different positions of transects: top, middle, and bottom. Near to each site, those places were devoid of species, sampling was done uniformly. In the sampling areas, the height from sea level, slope, direction, and soil characteristics were detected. Independent t Test and cluster analysis were applied for the comparison and classification of studied species for checking the presence and absence of the species. Detection analysis was used for determining the significance of effective parameters. Regarding to results the species in places with 1847m height and 90 percent slope, as well as southern and western directions and the places with soil rich with organic matter 1.37 percent, and 51 percent sand, along with high acidity high as well as also nitrogen 0.04 percent, phosphorus 2.07ppm, potassium 173.10ppm, Clay 12.60 percent and Electrical Conductivity 0.5Ds/m low more density (0.165 Base square meters). The results of detection analysis indicated that EC, pH, OC, N, P, Elevation, Slope, Aspect, Percent Clay and Sand and Precipitation were effective in the detection of places and dispersion. Based on the results of this research, it is better to use the studied species for management and restoration of rangelands.