Azam Khosravi Mashizi; Mohsen Sharafatmandrad
Volume 28, Issue 4 , November 2021, , Pages 686-700
Abstract
Ecosystems’ cultural services, like beauty services, play an important role in human social well-being. Understanding the potential of ecosystems is essential in providing this service for sustainable ecosystem management. This study aimed to determine the beauty value of summer rangelands in Kerman ...
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Ecosystems’ cultural services, like beauty services, play an important role in human social well-being. Understanding the potential of ecosystems is essential in providing this service for sustainable ecosystem management. This study aimed to determine the beauty value of summer rangelands in Kerman province. Hence, the beauty value of ten rangeland types was determined through flowering plants in 200 plots in flowering season. The beauty value was estimated using four indexes, including relative Simpson diversity and relative canopy cover of flowering plants, relative flowering period, and relative maximum number of flower colors. The analysis of variance showed that rangeland types are different in terms of beauty value, and Astragalus gossypinus-Artemisia aucheri rangeland type had the highest beauty value and is a pioneer region for conservation programs. Salsola brachiata- Artemisia sieberi rangeland had the lowest beauty value due to severe grazing and vegetation degradation. Plant types were most beautiful in spring, summer and fall, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that relative Simpson diversity and relative maximum number of flower colors had the highest correlation with beauty value. PCA also showed that beauty value was positively correlated with the attributes, including species diversity and abundance of forbs. The beauty value can be considered a good indicator of the ecological value of ecosystems that should be considered in sustainable development.
Esfandiar Jahantab; Mohsen sharafatmand; Aezam Khosravi Mashizi
Volume 28, Issue 3 , October 2021, , Pages 482-492
Abstract
Knowing the potential of ecosystems in providing services is essential for designing management programs. Therefore, a study was done to investigate the impact of livestock grazing on ecosystem service pollination in Malah Shoreh and Gorgo rangelands in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. For this purpose, ...
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Knowing the potential of ecosystems in providing services is essential for designing management programs. Therefore, a study was done to investigate the impact of livestock grazing on ecosystem service pollination in Malah Shoreh and Gorgo rangelands in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. For this purpose, 100 quadrats were planted in the grazing area and the percentage of canopy cover of the species in the plots was estimated. Plant species attractiveness for honeybees were determined as an indicator of ecosystem's potential in providing ecosystem service pollination. The results showed that grazing had caused a significant decrease in the abundance of species with high and medium attractiveness for honeybees (p <0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there is a positive correlation between plant species life’ forb and high and medium attractiveness for honeybees (p <0.05). Among the studied vegetative forms, perennial grasses and shrubs, which are less important in providing pollination function than perennial and annual forbes, have been severely reduced in the grazing area. In general, livestock grazing has reduced ecosystem service pollination in the study area. Given the importance of ecosystem service pollination in the sustainability of natural ecosystems, it is crucial to pay attention to the conservation of plant species with high attractiveness for pollinators in grazing management.
Azam Khosravi Mashizi; Mohsen Sharafatmandrad
Volume 28, Issue 2 , June 2021, , Pages 266-279
Abstract
The complexities of the relationship between biodiversity and human welfare can be simplified by identifying the impact of species diversity on ecosystem function. Since annual production plays an important role in the grazing management and sustainability of rangeland ecosystems, this study examines ...
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The complexities of the relationship between biodiversity and human welfare can be simplified by identifying the impact of species diversity on ecosystem function. Since annual production plays an important role in the grazing management and sustainability of rangeland ecosystems, this study examines the relationship between species diversity and annual production of semi-arid rangelands in Khabar National Park under the hypothesis of ecological nest. The annual production of species in 1×1 square plots was estimated in two rangeland types of Artemisia sieberi and Artemisia sieberi- Stipa barbata using the cutting and weighing method. The results showed that although the two plant types differed significantly in terms of annual production (p < /em> <0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two rangeland types in terms of diversity indicators of Shannon, Simpson, Margalf, Manichae, and uniformity index. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that annual production had a positive and significant relationship with species diversity indicators in Artemisia sieberi- Stipa barbata type; however, no significant relationship was observed in Artemisia sieberi. Contrary to the hypothesis of the ecological nest, species did not have the same contribution in annual production, and the dominant species of Artemisia aucheri had the highest contribution in production. According to the hypothesis of mass ratio, the diversity of functional traits in the dominant species has led to better success of rangeland type the Artemisia aucheri- Stipa barbata than the Artemisia aucheri in terms of annual production. In general, it is recommended that conserving of the composition of plant communities is more important to protect ecosystem services compared to maintaining the maximum number of species.
Aezam Khosravi Mashizi; Mohsen Sharafatmand
Volume 26, Issue 4 , December 2019, , Pages 1020-1031
Abstract
In recent decades, roads construction has become a worldwide major challenge for natural ecosystems health. Therefore, the impact of road on rangeland health indexes in two steppe and semi steppe zones along Kerman-Taft road was investigated. 17 rangeland health indicators were evaluated on roadsides ...
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In recent decades, roads construction has become a worldwide major challenge for natural ecosystems health. Therefore, the impact of road on rangeland health indexes in two steppe and semi steppe zones along Kerman-Taft road was investigated. 17 rangeland health indicators were evaluated on roadsides and reference areas. Soil and habitat stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity were estimated using rangeland health indicators. The results indicated that in the steppe region, all three features are in a rather acute state, while in the semi-steppe area, stability, soil and habitat characteristics and hydrological functions are in a balanced state and the health of living organisms is in relatively acute condition. The results of Wilcox test also showed that there are significant differences between roadside rangelands and reference areas in terms of production, invasive species and structural-functional groups in semi-steppe rangelands (p<0.05). In steppe area, roadside rangelands with reference rangelands had significant differences either mentioned indexes or in bare soil and gully erosion indexes (p <0.01). In addition to vegetation, soil has also affected by road damage in the steppe area, which is a priority in future restoration and restoration plans.
Aezam Khosravi Mashizi; Gholamali Heshmati; Najmeh Faryabi
Volume 21, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 571-579
Abstract
Negative and positive interactions among plants have important role for species coexistence and community diversity. The strength and direction of the interaction effect may change with environmental disturbances such as grazing and fire. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental ...
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Negative and positive interactions among plants have important role for species coexistence and community diversity. The strength and direction of the interaction effect may change with environmental disturbances such as grazing and fire. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental disturbances such as fire and grazing on interactions between shrubs and herbs in rangelands of Goghar Bafte. Hence, beneath 20 dominant species of Artemisia aucheri and 20 open patches, a quadrate of 20 cm×20 cm was plotted and the variation in the biomass, richness and vegetation cover of herbs were measured in regions under exclosure, fire and grazing. Results showed that biomass and vegetation cover of herbs were increased by shrub presence because of positive interaction between shrubs and herbs inside exclosure. Although the facility of shrubs was reduced by grazing and fire, its rate was not equal in both places. Under grazing, interaction between shrubs and herbs remained positive but shrubs were severely damaged by fire and the interaction between species altered from positive to negative. The overall conclusion is that fire plays a more important role in changing the interaction between shrubs and herbs.
Aezam Khosravi Mashizi; Najmeh Faryabi; Nematollah Maddadi Zadeh
Volume 21, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 75-82
Abstract
To study the role of shrubs refuge for annual plant inside and outside exclosure, in Goghar, Bafte, quadrates of 20cm×20 cm were plotted beneath 20 species of Artemisia aucheri, Astragalus gosipinus and 20 open patches, then the name and number of annual species were recorded in quadrates. Species ...
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To study the role of shrubs refuge for annual plant inside and outside exclosure, in Goghar, Bafte, quadrates of 20cm×20 cm were plotted beneath 20 species of Artemisia aucheri, Astragalus gosipinus and 20 open patches, then the name and number of annual species were recorded in quadrates. Species responses to grazing and shrubs were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Post-Hoccomparisons. Results showed that shrubs acted as biotic refuges by protecting 7 species of 22 annual species against direct grazing. Although these seven species are palatable plants but Artemisia aucheri and Astragalus gosipinus that are less palatable in growing season of annual plants can have refuge role for palatable annual plants in grazed plant communities. Some annual species that were rather abundant under the shrubs were rarely found in the open patches in both the grazed and ungrazed quadrates. These species were most probably facilitated by the shrubs. Consequently, shrubs have important implications for diversity, conservation, and management in grazed ecosystems because of their facilities and roles as refuge.
Azam Khosravi Mashizi; Gholamali Heshmati
Volume 18, Issue 4 , September 2012, , Pages 547-557
Abstract
To identify destroyed area and to introduce a piospher, pattern of vegetation composition was considered at different distances from a water point.Therefore in 113 plots, species density and vegetation cover were evaluated.To identify the patterns of vegetation composition, Clustering analysis was applied ...
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To identify destroyed area and to introduce a piospher, pattern of vegetation composition was considered at different distances from a water point.Therefore in 113 plots, species density and vegetation cover were evaluated.To identify the patterns of vegetation composition, Clustering analysis was applied on species density and vegetation cover and three distinct groups of vegetation composition were obtained. ANOVA analysis showed that three groups were different (p<0/01). By using DCA, relations between groups and species were evaluated. Result showed that there was a piospher on 300 m from water point. In this zone, vegetation composition extremely changed due to heavy grazing and palatable species were replaced by annual or perennial unpalatable species but with distance from water point, perennial and palatable species increased. Study of relations between vegetation compositions (was obtained by plant functional types) and grazing intensity showed that in addition of quantitative methods, qualitative methods such as vegetation composition and plant functional types could be an appropriate method to determine ecosystem condition in shrublands.
Aazam Khosravi Mashizi; Gholamali Heshmati; Aadel Sepehri; Hossein Azarnivand
Volume 17, Issue 4 , November 2011, , Pages 549-563
Abstract
Considering previous studies which showed no significant relation between the distance from water point and total vegetation cover, in current research plant species were classified based on life forms (shrub, bush, perennial grass, perennial forbs and annual forbs) and palatability classes (I, ...
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Considering previous studies which showed no significant relation between the distance from water point and total vegetation cover, in current research plant species were classified based on life forms (shrub, bush, perennial grass, perennial forbs and annual forbs) and palatability classes (I, P and PI). One way ANOVA was applied to determine the variations with distance from water point 8 main directions. Results showed that 8 main directions had no significant effect on vegetation cover and palatability classes of studied life forms. While life forms and palatability classes had different reactions to grazing according to the distance from water point. As shrubs, bushes, perennial grasses and palatability class I increased and annual forbs and palatability class PI decreased with distance from water point. Perennial forbs and palatability class P had uniform distribution. Using results of Duncan multiple range test a critical area was determined at 400 m distance from water point. In the mentioned critical area, shrubs and bushes showed a decrease in vegetation composition while annual forbs increased. Palatability class I also was eliminated in this area. According to the variations in perennial grasses and palatability classI, very sensitive to grazing, it can be concluded that grazing intensity had been very severe at a distance of 800-1000 m from water point.
Azam Khosravi Mashizi; Gholamali Heshmati; Adel Sepehri; Hossein Azarnivand
Volume 18, Issue 2 , September 2011, , Pages 244-257
Abstract
Aim of this study was to introduce of the functional threshold by ecological process changes along grazing gradient to determine destroyed area.In order to prove the existence of a threshold, two linear models and three nonlinear models (exponential curve, a piecewise regression and a sigmoid logistic) ...
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Aim of this study was to introduce of the functional threshold by ecological process changes along grazing gradient to determine destroyed area.In order to prove the existence of a threshold, two linear models and three nonlinear models (exponential curve, a piecewise regression and a sigmoid logistic) were fitted on stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling data.Two nonlinear models (exponential curve and a piecewise regression) provided a much better fit to the data than the linear models. It is the evidence of threshold along grazing gradient.Results also showed that ecosystem function descended near the water point that it needs special attention of the managers.The passing of the structural threshold, increase of invasive vegetation and animal trampling were identified as the main factors in the decline of ecosystem function near the water point and occurrence of functional threshold.According to the results, the recognition of the threshold is suggested for rangeland ecosystem because defining the threshold will help land managers to prevent the occurrence of undesirable states and promote for sustainable management of rangeland ecosystems.