An Investigation on Inventory of Sub-Steppic Meadows in Northwestern Iran

The meadows of the Ardabill region with an area of 77,000 hectares, make up about 50% of the total areas scattered in central and western parts of Ardabill. The objectives of this research were to identify and classify the meadows based on vegetation. It was observed that among eight representative stands, Vagah-sara and Samian were more diverse compared to the other stands. The richness increases as soil moisture increases. From the standpoint of life form, hemicryptophytes and therophytes dominated. Productions of dry matter were 3900 and 3700 kg/ha at Arjestan and Khatampboulaghi respectively, and were decreased to 1500 kg/ha at Kouh-sangar stand. Cluster analysis of stands showed that at 40% of similarity, two clusters fused which was consistent with the results of ordination. It was concluded that soil moisture was the most critical factor in heterogeneity of meadow vegetation

The Landscape as a Unit for Rangeland Inventory in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Iran (Case Studies: Touran Biosphere Reserve and Behkadaye Rajinia Development Project)

Severe land fragmentation, degradation, and pollution problems will force us to think about a rural community and research group in Iran to combine our experiences and skills to deal with the challenges of improving land use sustainability (Bosch at el.1995; Mesdaghi, 1993). Planning rangeland inventory requiring recognition of the ecological processes operating at different scales and their particular characteristics (Friedel and Laycock, 1995). In ancient countries like Persia (Iran), past land use suggests that rangelands exploitation by local herders was co-adapted with natural environments (Nyerges, 1980; Mesdaghi, 1993). Iranian rangelands, however, were nationalized through the land reforming and the modernization of rural communities, so private range properties were rejected. But, government failed to properly manage the rangelands. Local people tried to make properties inside nationalized rangelands, and the rangelands were converted to dry lands (Mesdaghi, 1993). The results of these interventions were the heterogeneity of landscape and both rangelands and dry lands were interwoven in nested complex systems. Therefore, rangeland inventory as an isolated activity is almost meaningless. Meanwhile, current landscape planning involves contributions from many different social organizations often with different interests and with different desired outcomes (Mesdaghi, 1995). In this research two study areas of arid and semi-arid regions were selected which have been studied intensively before and after land reforming (in 1974 under FAO Aid Development Projects) and Joint French and Iranian Project for Lepers (FAO, 1971, Spooner and Horne, 1980)

An Investigation into the Effects of Rural Roads on Plant Diversity of Roadsides in Arid Rangelands of Iran

Roads are essential elements of human societies. Rural roads are clear indicators of rural development. Most rural roads in Iran are dirt roads and roadside vegetation is an important part of the ecosystem. Making roads can change the microclimate, including the light regime, pH and organic matter of soil, hydrological and sedimentation regimes (Karim and Mallik 2008; Hayasakaa et al. 2012). This can affect the composition of vegetation, with increased density and frequency of some fast-growing species close to the road for example (Parendes and Jones 2000). Road-building can also contaminate the air, soil, and water, with destruction of some species (Coffin 2007, Liu 2011). Roads also interrupt the uniformity of vegetation. Vegetation close to the road can be more diverse compared to that further away. In this study, the effect of proximity of dirt roads on vegetation is discussed

An Investigation on Ecological Aspects of Crested and Intermediate Wheat Grasses in Semi-Steppe Vegetation of Iran

Crested and intermediate wheat grasses (Agropyron cristatum (L.)Gaertn., Thinopyrum intermedium (H.)Beauv.) are adapted to relatively dry conditions in Iran and have a significant role in providing good forage quality for domestic sheep and wild ungulates in summer rangelands. These grasses occur at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,800 m. A. cristatum is a bunch grass with diverse spikes and medium height (40 cm) and is common on open and exposed knolls, whereas T. intermedium, with height of 115 cm and with long rhizomes, is found in more moist niches in gully bottoms. The objectives of this study were to determine forage values, canopy coverage, production, local distribution, and phenological stages of these species in Golestan National Park, which is representative of the semi-steppe zone in Iran

Crop Yield Estimation and Carrying Capacity in Sar Ali-Abad Summer Rangelands of Golestan Province, Iran

High mountain grassland ecosystems are the best pastures of Golestan province in Iran. These grasslands are an effective means of soil conservation and offer standing green fodder for livestock. Sar Ali-abad summer rangeland with an area of 780 ha is a representative of mountain ecosystems of Golestan province. Estimating forage production to avoid overgrazing is a necessity to ensure the long-term sustainability of these natural ecosystems. To estimate rangeland productivity and carrying capacity was the major objective while, comparing three methods of clipping and weighing (CW), double sampling (DS), and comparative yield (CY) by using 1-m2 plots was the minor objective of this study. There were high correlation coefficients (0.90-0.99) for DS and CY, so the estimated and ranked data were corrected based on the regression equations. There were linear relationships between the corrected and clipped data for the DS and CY methods which confirmed the suitability of both methods against the CW. Currently, the study area was stocked with 1580 AU. Based on the CW method and allowable use (50% of total forage production), potential forage intake of 60 kg sheep (2% body weight), and the area of pasture (700 ha after adjusted for non-usable cliffy area), the total DM of study area was 272825 kg. This amount of forage will support 1516 AUs for grazing season of which this summer range site with limited grazing period was not overgrazed. By using CY and DS methods, we have simulated the regression models for DM estimation. Instead of clipping 180 one square plots, about 30 to 40 plots were clipped which were non-destructive, rapid, and cost effective

The Effects of Proximity to Watering Points on Vegetation Parameters in Winter Rangelands of Chahe-Nou, Damghan, Iran

The Chahe-Nou with 115 mm rainfall and high temperatures (30 °C) is located 95 km south of Damghan. It is grazed intensively by nomadic and sedentary sheep and goats during winter. Proximity to watering points affects the rangelands vegetation. With increasing distance from the watering points more palatable species increase, whilst grazing decreases. The areas nearest the watering points contain more unpalatable undesirable invasive species (Department of Natural Resources, 1999). The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of proximity to watering point on vegetation parameters at two watering points

Range Condition Classification Based on Quantitative Characteristics of Vegetation

Change in range condition classes over time are usually the basis for monitoring management effectiveness. Several approaches have been proposed to monitor the range condition classes in relation to a bench mark usually called climax stage. There are some types of range condition classification often included in a range inventory. In this paper, six factors of canopy cover, litter frequency, plant vigour, soil protection percentage, plant composition, and present production as a percentage of indicative state were described for determination range conditions. We have determined range condition classes by using R software. This method was developed by FAO projects in Iran. The relationships between different factors and their scores were determined by linear equations. The vegetation data in field were collected in 20 plots of 25x60 cm by established F-shaped layouts. In each plot, species cover percentages, litters, rocks, and bare soils were estimated. Based on our total scores, we got the fair state of range condition. It is possible to create a package in R software to determine condition classes which will be used by range managers and experts

Habitat, Phenology, and Seed Studies of \u3ci\u3eCitrullus colocynthis\u3c/i\u3e in Lut Desert, Iran

Colocynth is one of the major medicinal plants that naturally grows in deserts of Middle East and North Africa. Extending cultivation of this species is useful for sand dune fixation and for making incomes for the needy inhabitants. Despite of numerous studies on seed germination, there are still debates on best method of seed dormancy breaking for colocynth. Moreover, seed morphology, phonological stages, and habitat conditions of this species are not fully studied. In a flat plain of Gonabad, located at the edge Lut desert, we established line transects of 200 m and plots of 4×4 m, where vegetation parameters, phenology, and soil characteristics of Colocynth habitats were studied. Soil of study area was classified as slight alkaline, where pH varied between 7-7.5 in open and 8-8.11 under the canopy of colocynth. Two weeks pre-chilling at 5°C and day/night temperature range from 25-40°C significantly increased seed germination. In the study area colocynth was detected as a perennial herb with long and ligneous roots (\u3e 120 cm depth). Its vegetative growth starts at mid-May, seed ripening and shedding occur in October and November respectively. Average fruit volume was 2.62 m3 and seed number counted in each fruit varied between 250 to 420 by the length of 4 to 7 mm and 2-4 mm width. Bigger size fruits contained highest seed number, hence the full maturity stage is best harvesting time in terms of both economic value and seed viability