Kambiz Tavakoli; Parviz Karami; Hamed Joneidi Jafari; Bahram Gholinejad bodag
Volume 31, Issue 2 , August 2024, , Pages 186-203
Abstract
Background and ObjectiveFire is a significant ecological factor that influences rangeland ecosystems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where it plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and evolution of plant species. Historically, controlled burning of vegetation in natural ecosystems ...
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Background and ObjectiveFire is a significant ecological factor that influences rangeland ecosystems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where it plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and evolution of plant species. Historically, controlled burning of vegetation in natural ecosystems has been one of the simplest methods for altering and enhancing habitats, as well as for eliminating pests, diseases, and undesirable plants, while also modifying vegetation cover. Understanding the effects of fire on the characteristics of rangeland vegetation is essential for effective post-fire management. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of fire on specific vegetation characteristics and to analyze vegetation responses to fire, with the goal of improving the management of the Sanandaj rangelands. MethodologyFor this study, three areas Khalichian, Hasanabad, and Haft Asiab located around Sanandaj and affected by fires one to three years prior were selected. Following field surveys and sampling, the flora of these areas was identified using available resources. Vegetation types were determined through the physiognomic-floristic method. Six sites were established for vegetation sampling, comprising three burned sites and three control sites. Each pair of burned and control sites was matched based on topographic conditions, including elevation, slope percentage, and slope direction, to minimize the effects of environmental gradients and focus on the impact of fire. In each site, two transects (one along the slope and one perpendicular to it) were established, with 15 plots along each transect, resulting in a total of 12 transects and 180 plots. Within each plot, vegetation characteristics such as the percentage of canopy cover of plant species, bare soil, stones and gravel, and litter were estimated. The Shannon-Wiener index was utilized to calculate diversity and evenness, while the Margalef index was used to assess richness. An independent t-test was conducted to compare the mean vegetation characteristics. ResultsThe results revealed a significant decrease in the canopy cover of shrubs in the burned sites, accompanied by notable increases in the cover of grasses and both annual and perennial forb plants. Total canopy cover, bare soil percentage, production, and species richness significantly increased in all three areas as a result of fire, while litter significantly decreased. Total rangeland production in the fire-affected sites was significantly higher than in the control sites (P < 0.01), with increases of 26.48%, 26.48%, and 40.14% observed in Khalichian, Hasanabad, and Haft-Asiab, respectively. The difference in the species diversity index (Shannon-Wiener index) was not significant in Khalichian; however, it showed a significant increase in the other areas. Comparisons of the Margalef species richness index indicated that fire enhanced species richness in all three areas, with increases reaching significance at the 1% level. The species evenness index exhibited a significant increase in Hasanabad and Haft-Asiab, but not in Khalichian. An examination of plant composition in the studied areas indicated that fire reduced the prevalence of woody species while promoting an increase in herbaceous plants. ConclusionThis study concluded that fire generally results in an increase in live vegetation cover, a reduction in litter, and an increase in bare soil. Additionally, fire alters plant composition, favoring herbaceous plants over woody species. Therefore, it is recommended that controlled burning be implemented in grasslands where plant composition has shifted and woody species have proliferated. Such practices should be considered alongside other economic, social, and environmental factors to enhance rangeland conditions.
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.
Akbar Akbarzadeh Kahrizi; Ardavan Ghorbani; Bahram Afshar Hamidi; Saeed Amini; Shahriar Yeylagi
Volume 27, Issue 4 , December 2020, , Pages 692-701
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of livestock grazing in the way, changing the qualitative and quantitative composition of the plant As well as the different groups of plant species density in the enclosure in Boralan area. The vegetation and soil samples and 360 plots at 18 transect method ...
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This study aimed to investigate the effects of livestock grazing in the way, changing the qualitative and quantitative composition of the plant As well as the different groups of plant species density in the enclosure in Boralan area. The vegetation and soil samples and 360 plots at 18 transect method - systematic random out of the enclosure and enclosure in three annual enclosures took place. The position of each plot were recorded using a Global Positioning System. Tilt maps and directions enclosure was prepared. Using the parameters plots a square meter of canopy cover, density, percentage of dead leaves, rocks and pebbles and bare soil were measured. During the growing season and plant species samples were identified using available resources. Shanon Vynz, Brillouin and uniformity Simpson and Simpson, Camargo, Smith and Wilson nor at the species level using Ecological Methodology software version 6.2, respectively. Compare enclosure vegetation parameters using SPSS software (version 16) and The enclosure and the enclosures were analyzed using multivariate methods. The results showed that the obtained in the studied sites (enclosure) 11 dark, 24 genera and 24 species, is widespread. Inside the enclosure with 24 species, with 17 species richness is more than grazed out. Values of richness, diversity and uniformity within the enclosure is greater than the outside enclosure.
Asad Sadeghpour; Javad Motamedi; Esmaeil Sheidai Karkaj; Mostafa ghanamijaber
Volume 25, Issue 4 , February 2019, , Pages 944-955
Abstract
Knowing medicinal plants, measuring structural features and their species diversity indices are of the essential requirements to determine the suitability of rangelands for the use of medicinal plants. In this regard, the research was carried out in the mountain rangelands of Anbaran. For this purpose, ...
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Knowing medicinal plants, measuring structural features and their species diversity indices are of the essential requirements to determine the suitability of rangelands for the use of medicinal plants. In this regard, the research was carried out in the mountain rangelands of Anbaran. For this purpose, vegetation cover was measured using 320 plots of one square meter, with a distance of 10 meters from each other along 100-meter transects in 16 vegetation types, and the values of species diversity indices in different elevation classes and aspects were calculated. Based on the results, 16 medicinal species are distributed in the plant composition, with a relative importance varying from 0.9 to 59. The highest relative importance is related to Verbascum erianthum, Cynodon dactylon and Acroptilon repens, and the least belongs to Papaver acrochaetum, Hyoscyamus arachnoideus, Iris falcifolia, Allium scabriscapum and Matricaria chamomilla.The results showed that the values of the Shannon–Winear in the altitudes of 1750-1500 meters and 1750-200 meters were 0.569 and 0.651, respectively, showing no significant difference with each other. The value of the index in the northern and southern directions is equal to 0.691 and 0.511, and the northern aspects are more favorable than the southern ones. Therefore, with regard to the range of Shannon–Winear index (0-4.5), it seems that the rangelands are not desirable for the species diversity of medicinal plants, which is necessary to increase species diversity with direct management. The findings of this study can be used to locate medicinal plants in order to protect, exploit, seed production and provide part of the livestock holder’s income.
Nadia Kamali; ahmad sadeghipour; Alireza Eftekhari
Volume 25, Issue 3 , November 2018, , Pages 686-698
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the soil seed bank of Sisab region due to the pit-seeding operation. To recognize the seed bank potentials, sampling was done using a randomized-systematic method at tow depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm in winter 2016. Two transects of 500-m length were ...
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This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the soil seed bank of Sisab region due to the pit-seeding operation. To recognize the seed bank potentials, sampling was done using a randomized-systematic method at tow depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm in winter 2016. Two transects of 500-m length were stablished in the pit-seeding region and in the control area and 10 plots of 1m2 were used along each transect. To study the effects of pit-seeding and soil depth as well as their interaction on the soil seed bank characteristics, a factorial design was applied. In the case that the interaction between pit-seeding and depth was significant, the unpaired T-test was applied to study the seed bank characteristics in each depth of the pit-seeding and control regions. A paired T-test was also used to compare the seed bank characteristics between the two depths. The results showed that pit-seeding had significant effect on soil seed bank characteristics and caused to increased density, diversity, and species richness of seed bank. In addition, all characteristics of the soil seed bank were significantly higher in the top soil. Our results clearly showed that the pit-seeding operation not only increased the forage production in the study area but also increased the diversity and seed density, whose ultimate result could improve the rangeland ecosystem function.
Farshad Keivan Behjou; Hasan Mollazadeh Asl; Jaber Sharifi Naiaragh
Volume 25, Issue 1 , April 2018, , Pages 13-28
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tree species canopy on production and diversity of grass species in the understory of trees in Fandoghlou, Ardabil. The study area was selected after extracting similar geomorphological units of Fandoghlou, Shoghal Dareh ...
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The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tree species canopy on production and diversity of grass species in the understory of trees in Fandoghlou, Ardabil. The study area was selected after extracting similar geomorphological units of Fandoghlou, Shoghal Dareh and Niaragh. Inventory was conducted by systematic random sampling and dimension of plots was determined regarding the structure of vegetation. The number of plots was selected using statistical formulas, and the list of species, canopy cover, litter, rock, and bare soil percentage were recorded. Sampling in open and forested rangelands was done in four slope classes including 0-10, 10-20, 20 -35 and 35-50% and in four geographical aspects including northern, southern, eastern and western. The results showed that the highest vegetation cover percentage was observed in the understory of trees in Fandoghlou, Niaragh and Shoghal Dareh in slope classes of 10-20%, respectively, with 20, 25 and 25%. The highest vegetation cover in open rangelands were observed in slope classes of 10-20%, respectively, with 81, 86 and 86%. The northern aspect compared to other aspects had the highest vegetation cover in both rangelands. According to the results, the highest production was observed in open rangelands, showing a significant difference with forested rangelands. In addition, the production of grass species and interaction of rangeland type and aspect showed significant differences in the study rangelands. Accordingly, production in the open rangelands of northern slopes was significantly higher as compared with forested rangelands. On the other hand, the results of diversity and evenness indices in open and forested rangelands showed that the highest amounts of these indices were observable in forested rangelands.
massoud Borhani; Zahra Jaberolansar
Volume 25, Issue 1 , April 2018, , Pages 191-200
Abstract
Plant species diversity always implies ecosystem stability against environmental and biological disturbances. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of grazing management on diversity indices of plant species in grazed and exclosed rangeland sites of Hanna station- Semirom. ...
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Plant species diversity always implies ecosystem stability against environmental and biological disturbances. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of grazing management on diversity indices of plant species in grazed and exclosed rangeland sites of Hanna station- Semirom. Sampling was performed using 30 plots (1 m2) along four transects. Canopy area and density of species were recorded in sampling units, and the floristic list was provided in the whole area. Species richness, heterogeneity and evenness indices were calculated from density data and parametric diversity indices including log normal, geometric, and broken stick were fited in both exclosed and grazed areas. The Chi-Square test was used to examine the significance of measured traits. The results of numerical indices showed a higher species richness, evenness and species diversity indices in grazed than in the ungrazed site. The logarithmic diagram in the exclosed and grazed areas followed the broken stick model, indicating the presence of dominant species. The floristic lists of the study sites showed that the number of specific plant species in the grazed site was higher than that of exclosed site. Overall, the results showed that moderate grazing conditions in Hanna station improved plant species diversity indices and increased climax plant species.
Amir Mirzaee Mousavand; Ehsan zandi esfahan; Farshad keyvan Behjoo
Volume 23, Issue 3 , January 2017, , Pages 606-617
Abstract
This research was aimed to investigate the effects of exclosure on species diversity changes under grazing and exclosure conditions in the northeast rangelands of Delfan County, Lorestan province. For this purpose, 120 quadrates of 1*1 m2 were established in a randomized-systematic method along 12 transects ...
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This research was aimed to investigate the effects of exclosure on species diversity changes under grazing and exclosure conditions in the northeast rangelands of Delfan County, Lorestan province. For this purpose, 120 quadrates of 1*1 m2 were established in a randomized-systematic method along 12 transects of 100 m length at four altitude classes (three transects on each altitude class). In each quadrate, the list of species, density, the percentage of canopy cover, litter, stone and gravel, and bare soil were recorded. To evaluate the numerical indices of diversity, Ecological Methodology software (Ver., 6.2) was used and numerical indices of diversity and evenness were calculated. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (Ver. 18). According to the obtained results, a number of 132 species were identified, belonging to 30 families and 104 genera, of which 124 and 108 species were recorded in the rangelands under exclosure and grazing conditions, respectively. Our results clearly showed higher numerical indices for richness, evenness, and species diversity under exclosure as compared with grazing condition. The canopy cover percentage of perennial grasses and forbs as well as litter percentage was higher inside the exclosure while the canopy cover percentage of annual grasses and shrubs as well as bare soil percentage was lower as compared with outside the exclosure. The density of perennial grasses and forbs increased, while the density of shrubs decreased inside the exclosure. In addition, a higher production was obtained from the rangeland under exclosure condition.
reza erfanzadeh; Azade Alamzadeh Gorji; seyed Hasan zali
Volume 22, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 648-657
Abstract
Plant diversity and composition conservation is an important issue in ecosystem management. Therefore, management recommendations could be offered after a precise evaluation of diversity and composition. This study aimed to compare the results of two different methods namely seed germination and combined ...
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Plant diversity and composition conservation is an important issue in ecosystem management. Therefore, management recommendations could be offered after a precise evaluation of diversity and composition. This study aimed to compare the results of two different methods namely seed germination and combined method for determining the composition of soil seed bank. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from two different depths (0-5 and 5-10cm) within 28 paired plots. The seed bank characteristics were then determined through two different methods. According to the obtained results, totally 68 plant species were identified in the seed bank. In both methods, therophytes had the highest relative abundance. However, geophytes and hemi-cryptophytes were significantly higher in germination method as compared with combined method. The similarity between above-ground vegetation and soil seed bank was totally low and it was higher in germination method as compared with combined method. Since plant composition plays a key role in ecosystem function, in this research it was tried to demonstrate the composition of soil seed bank as an important part of plant composition and an important factor in recovery of vegetation.
Razieh Mohammadi; Kamaladdin Naseri; Gholamali Heshmati
Volume 21, Issue 1 , June 2014, , Pages 119-127
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Haloxylon aphyllum plantation on natural plant communities and soil properties of Abbas-Abad area in Khorasan Razavi Province. For this purpose, Haloxylon plantation and control areas were selected to compare with each other. In each area, fifty- ...
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This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Haloxylon aphyllum plantation on natural plant communities and soil properties of Abbas-Abad area in Khorasan Razavi Province. For this purpose, Haloxylon plantation and control areas were selected to compare with each other. In each area, fifty- meter transects were located by random-systematic method. Measurements were done by point sampling method. Eighteen soil samples were collected from Haloxylon plantation and control areas to determine EC and pH values in the laboratory. Data were analyzed by t-test. According to the results, although higher species diversity was significant in Haloxylon plantation area (P<0/05), Haloxylon caused the replacement of non-native communities, so that only 64.28% of species composition in Haloxylon plantation area was similar to the control area. On the other hand, higher soil pH and EC in Haloxylon plantation area was significant (P<0/01) and probably in the long term, Haloxylon causes the salinity and alkalinity of the soil surface.
Reza Yari; Hosean Azarnivand; Mahammad ali Zare Chahouki; Jalil Farzadmehr
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 95-107
Abstract
In this study, the relationship between species diversity and environmental factors in the pastures in the Sarchah Amari ranglands of Birjand was investigate. For this purpose, after classification of vegetation types through physiognomy method, sampling from vegetation and environmental factors were ...
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In this study, the relationship between species diversity and environmental factors in the pastures in the Sarchah Amari ranglands of Birjand was investigate. For this purpose, after classification of vegetation types through physiognomy method, sampling from vegetation and environmental factors were accomplished in the key area of each vegetation type by random-systematic sampling. Plot size and the number of plots were respectively determined by minimal area and statistical methods. Afterward, in the key area of each vegetation type, three 300 m transects were established and 15 plots with 20 m intervals were located along each transect. Sampling of vegetation was carried out in all plots while soil samples were taken at the beginning and end of each transect from two depths of 0-30 and 30-80 cm. The list of plant species and canopy cover percentage were recorded in each plot. Percentage of soil gravel, clay, silt, sand, moisture saturation, pH, lime, organic matter, gypsum, electrical conductivity and soluble salts (sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium) and topographic features (slope, aspect and altitude) were measured. For data analysis, species richness and evenness were calculated using different diversity indices (Simpson and Shannon -Wiener index of heterogeneity, Kamargov and Smith- Wilson as the homogeneity index). To determine the most important factors influencing variations of species diversity, principal components analysis was used. The results showed that electrical conductivity, gypsum, organic matter, slope, and sand were the most effective factors on diversity in the study area.
Esfandiar Jahantab; Adel Sepehri; Bahareh Hanafi; Zohreh Mirdeilamy
Volume 17, Issue 2 , September 2010, , Pages 292-300
Abstract
The study of plant diversity dynamic on grazed and enclosed rangelands is important in range management. The effect of enclosure was studied on plants diversity dynamics on two range condition sites of Dishmook area in Kohgiluyeh & Buyer Ahmad province. Random-systematic sampling was done in two ...
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The study of plant diversity dynamic on grazed and enclosed rangelands is important in range management. The effect of enclosure was studied on plants diversity dynamics on two range condition sites of Dishmook area in Kohgiluyeh & Buyer Ahmad province. Random-systematic sampling was done in two range sites using 220 (2×2 m2) quadrates along 6 transects with the length of 100 m. Vegetation canopy cover percentage was recorded simultaneously in both range sites. Diversity, richness and evenness were determined by using plant diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Berger parker & Mc intash). Results show a higher species richness, evenness and species diversity indices in enclosed rangeland. Statistical T-Student Test showed significant differences between two sites in 5 percent level of probability.
Masumeh Baghani; Adel Sepehry; Fatemeh Fadaiy
Volume 16, Issue 4 , January 2010, , Pages 551-559
Abstract
Diversity is one of the main subjects in ecosystem researches. It is also important in recognition of ecosystem health. Plant diversity or taxonomic diversity is medial level of biodiversity rank system. This research was done to compare Shannon diversity indices in different taxonomic levels. The study ...
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Diversity is one of the main subjects in ecosystem researches. It is also important in recognition of ecosystem health. Plant diversity or taxonomic diversity is medial level of biodiversity rank system. This research was done to compare Shannon diversity indices in different taxonomic levels. The study area was mountain rangelands of Ziarat in south Gorgan, Golestan province. Random quadrates, (1 m2) were used to define plant species list and their canopy cover percentage. Dependency of each plant to family, life form, biological type and vegetative life period were studied. Shannon diversity index was calculated for taxonomic level of species and family as well as life form, biological type and vegetative life period in existed vegetation communities of the study area. Results showed that diversity in species and family level carry the same amount of information thus in these levels different communities can better be compared than other levels of life form, biological type and vegetative life period.
Zainab Jafarian jelodar; Hosein Arzani
Volume 16, Issue 3 , December 2009, , Pages 317-328
Abstract
Plant species have important role in other organisms life circle. High diversity of plant species cause equilibrium and stability of this circle, so conservation of plant species is essential for continuity and survival of ecosystems. In this study vegetation species diversity and flora in four sub watersheds ...
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Plant species have important role in other organisms life circle. High diversity of plant species cause equilibrium and stability of this circle, so conservation of plant species is essential for continuity and survival of ecosystems. In this study vegetation species diversity and flora in four sub watersheds of Armoot, Kash, Zidasht and kalanak in Taleghan region with 16320 hectares area were studied. Thirteen vegetation types were recognized in the study area. One key area was selected in each vegetation types (in some of the vegetation types because of vast area and non –homogeneity vegetation, two key areas were selected). Two 100 meter transects were located in each key area, along each transect, 10, one meter square quadrates were located. List of species and number of species were recorded for each quadrates. Then diversity indices, species richness and evenness indices were calculated. Simpson diversity index and Shanon– Wiener diversity index were obtained 0.114 and 2.81 respectively which indicate relatively high species diversity in the study area. Species evenness based on studied indices was estimated. Richness of species was 116 with 18 families and 63 genus in rangelands of the study area.