This research study was an attempt to explore hidden cultural components in an ELT textbook from Oxford University Press (OUP) titled 'Cover to Cover'. Two research methodologies were relied on to unveil the western ideologies in this series: Firstly, a qualitative review over its reading textbooks was undertaken for authenticating the hidden western values for Iranian contexts. At this stage, analyses over randomly chosen units of the three-volume CTC book were managed via qualitative content analysis using inductive category formation techniques. In a second stage, a focus group including English language teachers indulged in teaching this series were interviewed to enrich the data with lived experiences. Overall, the findings revealed that the hidden values in the sampled texts might transmit some counter-local perspectives against Iranian leaners' local culture. Pedagogical suggestions as to improving critical cultural awareness practices for non-native students in the light of material development practices for EFL settings were discussed at the end.

Determination of range grazing capacity is one of the most fundamental aspect of range management and understanding the effective factors on grazing capacity is an important issue. Grazing capacity is determined on forage production during the growth period. The objective of this study was investigation of relationships among canopy Cover, foliage Cover and basal Cover with production. Three vegetative communities including 1-Grass-Shrubland, 2- Grassland and 3- Shrubland with 10 vegetation types were selected in Semirom, Isfahan province and Nadoshan and Nire in Yazd province. In each vegetation type 30 plots having 1.5x2 meter quadrats, were randomly established. After recording the species in each quadrat, canopy Cover of palatable species was determined by using ruler. Basal Cover and foliage Cover were also measured using a point frame in qudrats. Grasses were clipped at height of 1cm above ground and current growth of shrubs was clipped for dry weight determination. Regression analysis was carried out between basal Cover, foliage Cover and canopy Cover as independent variables and production as dependent variable for each species. According to the results, canopy Cover of all species and foliage Cover of most species had highly significant correlation with production (p<0.05 or p< 0.01). However no significant correlation was found between basal Cover and production due to small number of point touches with this type of Cover.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the Cover and mapping the rangeland vegetation Cover percentage using Landsat 7 sensors, ETM+ digital data. So the ETM+images of Chamestan mountain rangelands in Mazandaran Province were analyzed. First of all, the panchromatic band image was georeferenced to digital topographic map. Then the other bands images were registered to pan band. For field data collection stratified random sampling method was employed. In each sampling unit, 10 plots were located randomly on perimeter of a supposed circle with about 20 m radius and then percentage vegetation Cover has been estimated on each plot. Then the average of 10 estimated Covers has been considered for each sampling unit. For image processing, vegetation indices (VI), band fusion, band ratios and principle component analysis (PCA) were applied. The fused bands outcomes, along with the main bands imageries, VI, PCA, ratios results have been used to map the vegetation Cover estimation and its percentage Cover mapping. Stepwise regression has been established between percentage Cover data gathered from each sampling units and DN of related pixels extracted from the images and the resulted model was used to estimate the vegetation Cover percentage. Then the applied model to the images produced the map that states the vegetation Cover percentage of the region. The map has been reclassified to reach categorized vegetation Cover percentage map of the studied area. Finally the accuracy of the final map has been assessed by field controlling for the ground truths.

A study was conducted to examine the relationship between litter weight and vegetation parameters including canopy and litter Cover and biomass in steppe vegetation of Khabr National Park. According to the sample size equation, 90 plots of 1-m2 randomly were placed within study area. In each plot, the percentages of canopy and litter Cover are estimated and the weight of litter is measured. The results indicate that the mean litter weight is 83.53gr/m2. For calculating standing biomass, double sampling method is used. According to this method, standing crops is harvested to the ground level in 35 quadrats of 90 plots. Air dry collected plant materials are weighted. By using regression equation, the amounts of biomass in other 55 quaderats are estimated. Correlation matrices and stepwise regression model were used to show the relationships. Finally, just canopy Cover was remained in model which had linear relationship with litter weight and the correlation coefficient was 0.95. Therefore, canopy Cover is an appropriate parameter to estimate litter weight in arid and semi arid shrublands.