Population of Waterbirds in Two Mangrove Types, Avicennia and Rhizophora in Iran

Relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized. Mangrove habitats play host to a moderate number of waterbirds around the globe, but their relative roles of mangrove habitat structure in association with variation in both individual waterbirds distributions and their communities have yet explicitly examined. The objectives of this study were: (1) To determine the abundance, diversity and evenness of waterbirds in two different type of mangroves habitat (Avicennia and Rhizophora), (2) To compare environmental variables, soil as well as surrounding water sources, and vegetation structure as effective components in determining the safe habitat for waterbirds, and (3) To examine the diversity and density of gastropod and mudskipper in two habitats as effective components in determining food resources. The study was conducted from 22 September 2008- 21 September 2009 in the Avicennia marina habitat that stands in Hara Protected Area (HPA) and Rhizophora mucronata habitat that stands in International Wetland of Gaz and Hara Rivers Delta (GHRD). Bird observations were conducted using a point count method and results were categorized into the types of birds including wading birds, seabirds and waterfowls. A total of 76074 waterbird observations, representing 62 species from 15 families and 5 orders, were recorded in two sites. Based on the type of bird category, a total of 57373 (43 spp.), 18681 (17 spp.), 20 (2 spp.) observations were recorded in the categories of waders, seabirds and waterfowls respectively. From these observations, a total of 59387 waterbird observations, representing 56 species were recorded at HPA, while 16687 observations, belonging to 54 species were recorded at GHRD. Moreover, based on category of bird a total of 44078 waders, 15297 seabirds and 12 waterfowls were recorded at HPA and 13295 waders, 3384 seabirds and 8 sightings of waterfowls at GHRD. Forty eight species of waterbird (15 families) were common in both habitats. Eight species exclusively used HPA while six species occurred only at GHRD. The Crab Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) and Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) were the dominant species at HPA and GHRD, respectively. The abundance of all waterbirds for two habitats was highly significant (P< 0.001). The mean values abundance of the waterbirds by seasons was higher at HPA than GHRD mangrove forest (3711±427 observations vs. 1283±209 observations). This study indicated that there were highly significant differences among the all surface water variables including temperature, pH, EC, TSS and salinity (p0.05) with habitat. The soil parameters also showed significant difference between two habitats for available potassium, organic carbon, percentage of clay and silt at depth of 0-20 cm, and organic carbon, pH, EC and percentage of sand and silt at depth of 20-40 cm (p<0.05). In general, R. mucronata occurs with higher density, tree height and canopy than A. marina in the coast of Hormozgan province (p>0.05). While diameter at breast height and crown spread for A. marina were higher than R. mucronata. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in number of gastropods between the two types of mangroves (t=1.34, p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in number of mudskipper between the mangroves (t=2.041, p<0.05). A strong positive response was found between the environmental variables and abundance of waterbirds, using redundancy analysis. However, soil parameters did not highly affect the abundance of waterbird species, but they were important in growth of mangroves and habitat of gastropods. As a conclusion, results of this study supported the hypothesis that microenvironment and micro-habitat factors could affect the composition, abundance, density and diversity of the waterbirds especially waders across the two types of mangrove vegetation. Therefore, changes in the environmental variables are the key factors that influence the waterbird response. Thus the waterbird populations can be used as a key tool for monitoring the status of mangrove habitats and environmental changes

Relative abundance and diversity of waterbirds in a Rhizophora mangrove forest in Iran.

This study determined the abundance and diversity of waterbirds at Gaz and Hara River Deltas (GHRD) mangroves, southern of Iran. Point count sampling method that included 35 points along three transects was employed in this study. A total of 16687 waterbird observations, belonging to 38 waders, 15 seabirds and only one waterfowl species were recorded at GHRD international wetland. The observations were categorized based on different season, where a total of 4813 (37 spp.), 9445 (48 spp.), 1759 (30 spp.) and 670 (15 spp.) observations were recorded in the fall, winter, spring and summer, respectively. The Eurasian Curlew (3689 observations, 22.11%), Great Cormorant (1309 observations, 7.84%) and Terek Sandpiper (1065 observations, 6.38%) dominated the area. The Scolopacidae (7500 observations, 44.95%) and Laridae (2631 observations, 15.77%) were the most abundant family and Dromatidae (6 observations, 0.04%), Podicepedidae (4 observations, 0.02%) and Recurvirostridae (2 observations, 0.01%) were among families with the lowest number. The mean number of observations of waders during fall, winter, spring and summer were 104.11±36.60, 222.32±67.74, 22.62±6.82, and 10.16±3.91respectively, while of seabirds were 56.53±25.05, 71±28.15, 54.24±21.15 and 17.29±9.52, respectively. The similarity between seasons of fall and winter were highest (72 %). Abundance of waterbirds was positively correlated with density of molluscs and mudskipper, R. mucronata height and stand basal area as well as percentage of clay in soil (R2= 0.99, p < 0.01). In addition, species of Oriental White-eye Warbler (Zosterops palpebrozus) is a new record for GHRD. The great importance of GHRD for migrant waders and seabirds, and also for landbirds, must be recognized and the protection of this site from threats must be thoroughly enhanced

Breeding waterbird populations of the islands of the Northern Persian Gulf, Iran.

In 2010, we estimated the breeding waterbird popula tions on the uninhabited islands of the northern Persian Gulf, some of the most important waterbird nesting sites in Southwest Asia. We also compared the 2010 census results with data from the 1970s. Over 120,000 breeding pairs of waterbirds of nine species were estimated on seven islands in 2010. The most abundant species were Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus (74,113 pairs) and Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis (30,799 pairs). The results indicated that 20% of the global population of Crab Plover Dromas ardeola breed in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. The breeding population of White Cheeked Terns Sterna repressa had decreased by about 98% since the 1970s, while the populations of all the other species had increased. Further monitoring of the breeding waterbirds is needed in order to suggest appropriate measures for the conservation of these important waterbird populations. Compared with the situation in the 1970s, some islands are no longer suitable as nestingsites for waterbirds because of human exploitation, occupation by the military and development for the oil and gas industries

Population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River using DNA sequencing method

The goal of this study was to analyse the population genetic structure of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) between South Caspian Sea and Sefidrud River with mtDNA control region (Dloop gene) and DNA sequencing method during 2010 – 2012 sturgeon stock assessment project. Fish speciemns were collected by bottom trawl net. Extraction of DNA, PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out. Diversity index, the gamma distribution shape parameter for the rate heterogeneity among sites and nucleotide sequence, Fst index, exact test, the historical demographic pattern using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis (D test of Tajima and Fs test of Fu) were analysed. Thirteen haplotypes were obtained, average (±SD) for haplotype diversity was 0.961 ± 0.101, nucleotide diversity was 0.038 ± 0.015, the gamma distribution shape parameter was 0.19, Fst index revealed little genetic structure between populations and the significant Fst value was seen by 10000 permutation only between Sefidrud River and Other Areas (P≤ 0.05) and was confirmed by exact test of population differentiation. Mismatch distribution for Acipenser persicus appeared to be unimodal, which closely matched the expected distributions under the sudden expansion model and supported by the low Harpending’s Raggedness index (0.061). Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs statistics were -0.84 and - 0.220, respectively, and was not significant. The results of this study showed that the population of Acipenser persicus in Sefidrud River were genetically differentiated from South Caspian Sea and three other areas represented a single panmictic populations. Therefore, fisheries managements of this valuable species should be directed towards conservation of gene pools and increasing different populations

Physico-chemical factors in the Avicennia and Rhizophora mangrove habitats in Iran.

This study investigates the physico-chemical variations of surface water and soil within mangrove habitats and their influence processes in the Hormozgan Province, south of Iran. Point sampling method within transect was used for a period of one year started from September 21th 2008. The biweekly water sampling and seasonally soil sampling were conducted in Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata habitats. The comparison of mean values using t-test indicated that there is significantly differences among all variables including temperature, pH, EC, TSS and salinity (p 0.05). The soil tested also showed significant difference between two habitats for available potassium, organic carbon, percentage of clay and silt at depth of 0-20 cm, and organic carbon, pH, EC and percentage of sand and silt at depth of 20-40 cm (p < 0.05). The results showed that water and soil characteristics are the most important environmental factors directly affecting mangrove structure and productivity. The results also illustrated that the magnitude and periodicity of the coastal system forces such as complex climatic conditions (temperature), the availability of water, physico-chemical characteristics of environment such as EC, pH and other characteristics related to water and soil, may determine the floral and faunal composition in mangrove areas and the energy signature. Furthermore, the study showed that lack of perennial flow of freshwater district may be the reason for the uniformity in soil texture within mangrove forests. The sediment texture exerts strong control on other factors such as conductivity, pH, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium

Application of microsatellite markers to determine populations of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in the south of Caspian Sea

The objective of this study was to analyse the population genetic structure of the Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in Sefidrud and Gorganrud rivers watershed based on the characterization of microsatellite markers during 2006 - 2008. 100 samples of Persian sturgeon were collected from two regions. Four microsatellite loci (Ls68, Spl168, Spl173 and Afu68) were analyzed for the molecular characterization of this species which resulted in polymorphic patterns. DNA bands were analysed using Biocapt and GenAlex software package. A total of 109 alleles were observed of which the maximum number of alleles (17) were found in Spl168 locus which belonged to sturgeons from Sefidrud river's watershed and the minimum number of alleles (10) in Ls68 locus belonging to the sturgeons from Gorganrud river's watershed. Results of microsatellite analysis revealed that the differences between samples of two regions were not statistically significant (p>0.05), neither for the average number of alleles per locus nor for observed heterozygosities. The calculated Fst and Rst between two regions was 0.07 and 0.17 showing that the genetic difference was significant (p< 0.01). Samples from Sefidrud river's watershed in Spl173, Afu68 and Spl168 loci and samples of other regions in Afu68 and Spl168 loci were at Hardy-Weinberg equation. The genetic distance was calculated as 0.4 which represents a significant genetic difference between samples of two studied areas. In conclusion, this study suggests that the Persian sturgeons in two regions of the southern part of the Caspian Sea are genetically differentiated, therefore fisheries management of these unique stocks for restocking and conservation of gene pools is highly recommended

A review of mangrove value and conservation strategy by local communities in Hormozgan province, Iran

Mangroves are forest community within the intertidal region of tropical and subtropical areas. This study provides the values, functions and attributes of mangrove ecosystem and the importance of the local people in biodiversity conservation in the mangrove of Gas and Hara Rivers Delta (GHRD) in the Iranian coastline of Oman Sea. This study indicated that mangroves of GHRD are greatly influenced by the coastal environment and fulfil important socio-economic and environmental functions, therefore, it is considered that the protection of this site from threats must be enfaced. This study also provides the state of key guidelines for protecting biodiversity of mangroves by the local people. Over-use, lack of identity of mangrove resource and lack of tools for mangrove economic evaluation are the main destruction factors of the mangrove in this region. This study suggested that the end goal is to involve communities in direct management of resources. Furthermore, this study highlighted the role of awareness-raising in local communities in GHRD biodiversity conservation. There should be a willingness to move from old ideas on the use of this natural resource by villager and other people, which are largely dependent on this ecosystem. Awareness-raising campaigns must be developed for local communities using local languages, religious leaders and cultural events

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination Potential in Surface Soil of Oil Pipelines in the North of Persian Gulf

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr and V) in soil and evaluate the potential environmental risk of heavy metals in the surface soils of Assaluyeh-Bandar Abbas gas condensates pipeline base. For this purpose, 10 stations were randomly selected in a longitudinal transect and soil sampling was performed. Acid digestion of samples was performed and after their filteration, the concentration of each heavy metal was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy thriugh calibration solutions. According to the results obtained, the mean concentrations of pb, Ni, Cr and V heavy metals in the study area were be 7.4±1.4, 42.5±2.4, 53.6±5.9 and 19.7± 2.5 mg/kg, respectively. As the findings of this work were all in the permissible level provided in national environmental standards, it was proved that the construction of the pipeline did not result in heavy metal contamination in the environment. However, human activities may have increased the concentration of metals. In this study, significant correlations were observed between Pb and V (P<0.01) and Cr and V (P<0.05) and also between Ni and Cr (P<0.05). The results of calculating geoaccumulation (Igeo), modified concentration degree (mCd) and potential ecological risk indices showed that the soils of studied areas were as unpolluted soil, very low pollution and low potential ecological risk categories, respectively

The Effect of Job Demands on Work-Family Conflict (W-FC) and Family-Work Conflict (F-WC) among Female Nurses

ABSTRACT: The present study highlights the significance of job demands as one of the most important work factor on W-FC and F-WC. Nurses working in public hospitals in Shiraz-Iran are the respondents for this study; sample are including of 198 married female nurses. The findings revealed that married female nurses who experience an increase in job demands would result in an increase in W-FC and F-WC. Implications are discussed and recommendations are made regarding future researches in this area

Evaluation of the Quality Of Life of Dental Students in Mashhad University during Covid-19 Pandemic by Standard WHOQOL-BREF Questionnaire

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students attending Mashhad Dental School during the COVID-19 pandemic using the WHOQOL-BREF standard questionnaire.Methods & Materials: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2020 to February 2021 in Mashhad Dental School. A questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization was used to collect the data. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was distributed both in person and online through Survey.porsline.ir platform. A total of 571 students completed the questionnaire. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire is scored in four domains. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 23. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni''''s test were used for statistical comparison. The significance level was set at 5%.Results: In undergraduate students, no relationship was found between different domains of quality of life and gender. There was a significant relationship between residence and the domains of environmental health (P-valu