Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024
Hosein Tavakoli Neko; Schahram Banedjschafie; Abbas Pourmeidani
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 1-14
Abstract
Background and objectivesThe vast country of Iran, due to its location in the arid region of the earth and the lack of rainfall, has suffered from drought and groundwater depletion. The reduction of precipitation and soil moisture has a great effect on soil vegetation. The use of various types of moisture ...
Read More
Background and objectivesThe vast country of Iran, due to its location in the arid region of the earth and the lack of rainfall, has suffered from drought and groundwater depletion. The reduction of precipitation and soil moisture has a great effect on soil vegetation. The use of various types of moisture absorbent materials that reduce water consumption and increase the time of plant access to water in the soil plays a big role in water conservation. Plantbac panels are made from cellulose waste and can be used to increase the water retention capacity of the soil in dry areas, especially in desert areas. MethodologyIn order to investigate the effect of Plantbac panels on the amount of water consumption and growth of Atriplex plant, the research was carried out in the area of Hesarsokh located ten kilometers north-east of Qom city for three years (2019-2021). The experiment was carried out as split plots in the form of randomized complete blocks including 12 plots in three replications. The main plot included irrigation treatments at intervals of 10 days (control) and 20 days, and the sub-plot included two treatments of using and not using Plantbac panels (control). To investigate the effect of Plantbac panels on seedling growth at the end of each growing season in each year, traits including: survival, height and crown diameter of the seedling were measured and compared with the control of the same treatment. Statistical analyzes including minimum and maximum traits, standard deviation, simple variance analysis of variables, compound analysis, comparison of averages with least significant difference (LSD) method for seedling height growth and crown diameter growth traits were performed. ResultsThere was no difference in seedling survival in the treatments of using Plantbac and control in irrigation with a 10 days interval. While in the treatment of Plantbac panels and the control, 5% of the seedlings were dried, and in the treatment of using the Plantbac panels, 21% and 40% of the seedlings were seen in the control. Combined variance analysis showed that the simple effects of using Plantbac panels, year and the interaction effect of irrigation in the year on the height growth of Atriplex were significant (P≤0.01). Also, the effect of irrigation treatments, the use of Plantbac panels, the mutual effect of irrigation in the year and the effect of the year had a significant difference in the diameter growth trait of the crown of Atriplex seedlings (P≤0.05). The comparison of the average traits showed that the Atriplex seedlings in the "3rd year × 20 days irrigation interval" had the highest height 6.32 cm, and in the "1st year × 20 days irrigation interval" with 9.75 cm, had the lowest height growth. Also, Atriplex seedlings had the highest crown diameter growth in the "3rd year × irrigation interval 10 days " with 22.11 cm growth, and the lowest crown diameter growth had in the "2nd year × 20 day interval irrigation" with 17.33 cm. ConclusionThe results of the research showed that the effect of Plantbac panels on the traits indicating the growth of Atriplex is effective. The use Plantbac panels reduces losses in the survival of Atriplex seedlings. In other words, the use of Plantbac panels can have an effect in reducing the losses of Atriplex seedlings in saline lands. Also, the height growth of Atriplex in the treatment of using Plantbac panels was higher than the control. The general results of the research showed that the use of Plantbac panels can have an effect in reducing the losses of Atriplex in saline lands. Also, the diameter and height growth of Atriplex in the following years of planting was higher than the first year, which can be due to the possibility of establishing and improving the soil conditions for plant growth in the following years after planting as a result of using Plantbac panels.
Yaser Ghasemi Aryan; Hosein Azarnivand; Javad Motamedi; Firoozeh Moghiminejad
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 15-27
Abstract
Background and objectivesRangeland management is the science and art of range management and administration, which requires technical and managerial foundations in decision-making and planning to protection, reclamation and sustainably use it, in parallel with each other and in accordance with the range ...
Read More
Background and objectivesRangeland management is the science and art of range management and administration, which requires technical and managerial foundations in decision-making and planning to protection, reclamation and sustainably use it, in parallel with each other and in accordance with the range ecological conditions and beneficiary's socio-economic conditions, especially the pastoralists, should be considered. In the technical basics section, there are always several key projects, including planting, plowing, grazing management, Inter Seeding, Seeding, fertilizing, pitting, ripping, and contour furrowing, each of which has criteria and indicators. Has its own characteristics. Considering the vast area and variety of physiography and geomorphology of the rangelands, any tool that can help experts in selecting improvement and restoration projects by combining indicators can be useful. The purpose of this research is to use the geographic information system to locate suitable areas for range improvement and management projects in the Chahtalkh watershed. MethodologyFor this purpose, based on the range condition and range condition trend, a range method was developed for each plant types. For types with excellent to good condition, equilibrium method was recommended, and for types with moderate condition, natural method and consequently grazing systems were recommended. Artificial or improvement range management, were considered for types that were poor and very poor. In the next step, the homogeneous baseline maps were prepared by combining altitude, slope and direction maps. Subsequently, the homogeneous layer was combined with plant types layer and the final homogeneous units. Based on the rangeland condition and suitability yield of plant types, geological maps, soil characteristics, iso-therms, iso-rain and water resources, the characteristics of each homogeneous unit were extracted in GIS environment. Considering effective ecological and environmental criteria and indices to perform range improvement and management operations and to match the characteristics of each homogenous unit, the type of rangeland management and management operations in each homogenous unit was proposed and based on this, a round map was prepared. Finally, by superimposing the map of range improvement and management operations and customary systems, the range management model of the region was presented. ResultsAccording to the results, a wide range of rangelands have poor and very poor conditions that require artificial range management. The resulting management model showed that in 10.6% of rangelands, contour farro, in 8.3%, pitting and in 5.9%, ripping is recommended. In 29.3% of rangelands, grazing management and in 14.6% prevent livestock from entering (exclosure) are recommended. ConclusionThe model presented in the Chah Talkh watershed, which was obtained by combining the layers of RANGE condition and range condition trend, suitability yield of plant types, land use, soil texture and depth, elevation class, slope and direction, temperature and rainfall lines, and the map of customary systems, can play a significant role in provide a comprehensive and all-round management. The model enables quick and easy access to all ecological and environmental criteria and environmental parameters for effective range improvement and range management. In this regard, weighting indicators and using multi-variable decision-making tools can play an important role in more precisely choosing suitable places for range improvement and revitalization projects.
Hasan Ghelichnia; Alireza Eftekhari
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 28-52
Abstract
AbstractBackground and objective: The monitoring and evaluation rangelands provides the necessary information for the essential planning of rangeland management. As a result, it prevents the destruction of rangelands and water and soil conservation. This research aims to prepare a continuous database ...
Read More
AbstractBackground and objective: The monitoring and evaluation rangelands provides the necessary information for the essential planning of rangeland management. As a result, it prevents the destruction of rangelands and water and soil conservation. This research aims to prepare a continuous database of vegetation and soil indicators in rangelands and monitor their changes, determine the relationship between vegetation indicators and climatic factors, determine the trend and intensity of changes in different managements, and provide information for calculating the long-term capacity of rangelands.Methodology: For this study, the Asbchar site was selected in the rangelands of the Baladeh region in Mazandaran province and was evaluated and monitored for five years (2017-2021). In order to evaluate the indicators of vegetation cover, three transects of 100 meters were placed at a distance of 50 meters from each other. Vegetation and soil factors were measured. Vegetation factors included canopy cover, density and production of plant species, litter, rangeland condition and trend. Soil factors include pH, E.C., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, soil bulk density and soil texture. Ten plots of 1m2 were placed in each transect, and a total of 30 plots were placed in exclosure and grazed areas. The crown cover of any plant species with the method of measuring the crown surface, the density by counting the number of species, the production by cutting and weighing, and the percentage of stone and gravel cover, litter, and bare soil were also measured in the plots. Data testing was done in Minitab16 software.Results:The analysis of variance results has shown a significant difference between most vegetation and soil factors in different years. The comparison of the averages of vegetation and soil factors investigated in different years shows that the highest average percentage of the total cover was related to the exclosure region. The highest average value was related to 2010, 2021 and 2019, respectively, and the lowest was the year 2017. The correlation between the total cover of the exclosure region with the total production, the percentage of nitrogen inside and outside the plant, the amount of potassium outside the plant, the annual rainfall, the rainfall of the growing season and the rainfall of autumn and winter seasons in exclosure region is significant. Also, the correlation between total production and annual rainfall, rainfall in the growing season and rainfall in autumn and winter seasons is significant. The correlation between total cover with total production, nitrogen percentage under plants, annual rainfall, growing season rainfall and autumn and winter rainfall in the grazed area is significant. Also, the correlation between total production with rainfall in the growing season and rainfall in the autumn and winter seasons is significant. The step-by-step regression results showed that climatic factors such as growing season rainfall, total fall and winter rainfall, and soil factors such as E.C., pH, % O.M. and %N were used to predict the total cover and production.Conclusion: The results of this research show a significant difference between the total crown cover, production and density of species during five years. Also, there is a significant difference between the exclosure and grazed areas in terms of all the factors examined in this research. The percentage of coverage, production and density of the perennial grasses and forbs in the exclosure region was higher than in the grazed region. The research results over five years showed that when autumn and winter rainfall and total rainfall and rainfall in the growing season were greater, an increasing trend was also seen in vegetation characteristics.
Mahshid Souri; Mina Bayat; Saeedeh Nateghi; Parvaneh Ashouri
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 53-73
Abstract
Background and Objectives:Heavy metals are major soil pollutants due to their toxicity and persistence. Mining activities are a significant source of pollution in natural ecosystems. With its numerous mines, the Khaf region is a case in point. Identifying plants capable of absorbing metals from contaminated ...
Read More
Background and Objectives:Heavy metals are major soil pollutants due to their toxicity and persistence. Mining activities are a significant source of pollution in natural ecosystems. With its numerous mines, the Khaf region is a case in point. Identifying plants capable of absorbing metals from contaminated soils is crucial for phytoremediation efforts. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential of three plant species – Artemisia sieberi, Salsola richteri, and Scariola orientalis – in the iron mine area of Khaf city, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran.Methodology:All plant species were first surveyed at distances 500, 1000, and 3000 meters from the mine to determine the dominant vegetation type. Three species belonging to this dominant type were then selected for heavy metal analysis. Plant samples were collected from different parts (leaves, roots) of these dominant species, along with soil samples from around their roots, at varying distances from the mine and in the direction of the prevailing wind. A total of 36 plant and 36 soil samples were analyzed for copper, iron, and lead using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to determine metal contamination levels. Plant remediation potential was assessed using various phytoremediation indicators.Results:Significant differences in phytoremediation indicators were observed among the plant species. Salsola richteri exhibited the highest bioconcentration factors (BCF) for lead (1.38), iron (1.37), and copper (1.99), and the highest bioaccumulation coefficients (BAC) for lead (1.55), iron (1.72), and copper (1.95). This indicates Salsola richteri's strong ability to accumulate these metals.The highest lead soil pollution index (2.64) was found around Artemisia sieberi, signifying moderate lead pollution exceeding natural levels in this plant's habitat. The highest iron contamination was observed in the soil around Artemisia sieberi and Scariola orientalis.Conclusion:Metal concentrations in shoots, roots, and soil were highest at 500 meters from the mine and decreased with increasing distance. Soil analysis revealed higher average concentrations of the studied elements compared to global soil values. Notably, high concentrations of copper (490 mg/kg), lead (343 mg/kg), and iron (49000 mg/kg) were observed.At 500 meters from the mine, Salsola richteri displayed BCF values of 1.4, 1.5, 1.45, and 1.02 for lead, iron, copper, and BAC values of 1.7, 1.8, 1.4, and 1.34, respectively. Based on these results, Salsola richteri shows promise as a suitable plant for decontaminating soils in the Khaf mine area.
Fatemrh Dargahian; Azadeh Gohardoust; Sakineh Lotfinasabasl; Sara Teimouri
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 74-92
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesNumerous studies have individually examined the influence of neighboring countries on dust generation in southwestern Iran (Khuzestan). However, the specific countries and regions within those countries with the most significant impact on dust events in the southwest still need ...
Read More
Background and ObjectivesNumerous studies have individually examined the influence of neighboring countries on dust generation in southwestern Iran (Khuzestan). However, the specific countries and regions within those countries with the most significant impact on dust events in the southwest still need to be clarified. This study aimed to identify the primary sources of dust emissions affecting Khuzestan using the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) index for dust detection and the HYSPLIT model for tracing dust pathways.MethodologyDust events in Khuzestan province from 2003 to 2017 were identified using MODIS imagery and a suitable dust detection algorithm. Three criteria were applied to each event: spatial extent exceeding 50% of synoptic stations, horizontal field of view less than 5 km, and detection in at least three consecutive synoptic reports. Considering typical dust ingress into Iran at lower and middle atmospheric layers, dust pathways were investigated at 500, 1000, and 1500 meters above ground level. HYSPLIT model outputs for dust event days were combined with AOD images from each year's day before the event in Khuzestan. Areas with the highest dust emissions towards Khuzestan were identified by analyzing AOD concentrations in the days preceding dust events. Regions exceeding a threshold of 30 times the AOD concentration were designated as dust sources or intensification zones. This analysis was performed for each year and the entire period, allowing for prioritization of the most significant dust source areas.ResultsOur analysis of dust events revealed that different regions dominated dust emissions toward Khuzestan across the study period. In 2003, northern and eastern Arabia contributed the most dust. Subsequent years exhibited varying source regions, including the Iraq-Syria border (2004), Saudi Arabia (2005), southern Iraq (2006), southern and southeastern Iraq (2007-2008), southwestern Iraq and northern Iraq alongside northern and eastern Arabia (2009), southern and southwestern Iraq (2010), western, southern, and northern/eastern Iraq alongside Arabia (2011), and again southern and southwestern Iraq (2012-2013). In 2014 and 2015, northern and eastern Arabia re-emerged as the primary source. Finally, the Iraq-Syria border, western Iraq, and southern Iraq were identified as dominant sources in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Across the entire study period (2003-2017), eastern Iraq, the Iraq-Syria border, southern Iraq, and northern and eastern Arabia emerged as the most significant dust source regions impacting Khuzestan.ConclusionOur analysis revealed that Iraq contributes the highest proportion of dust emissions impacting Khuzestan province (68.8%), followed by Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Kuwait. Considering anticipated climate change and intensified dam construction activities in upstream countries, particularly Iraq, dust generation will likely worsen. The dust originating from these regions, situated along the path of synoptic systems towards Iran, has significantly impacted the environment, especially the Zagros forests. Identifying the primary dust source areas empowers policymakers to develop tailored and effective diplomatic strategies for controlling and mitigating the effects of regional fine dust.
Amin Mohammadi Ostadkalayeh; Abolfazl Tahmasebi; Mojtaba Kashani; Mehdi Keshavarz Ghorabaee
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, Pages 93-106
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesSound natural resource governance arises from the interplay of social and institutional-environmental responses by all stakeholders. This collaborative approach provides a platform for strengthening civil society alongside the government and private sector in natural resource ...
Read More
Background and ObjectivesSound natural resource governance arises from the interplay of social and institutional-environmental responses by all stakeholders. This collaborative approach provides a platform for strengthening civil society alongside the government and private sector in natural resource management. Traditional management methods need help to address the increasing complexity of natural resource issues. Consequently, several approaches have emerged in recent years, with good governance being the most prominent.Golestan province, occupying 1.3% of Iran's land area (20,367 square kilometers), is in the country's north. Unfortunately, deforestation, excessive livestock grazing, and other human activities have threatened Golestan's natural resources in recent decades, posing significant challenges. The depletion of natural resources, coupled with environmental crises like floods and droughts, underscores the need for a detailed investigation of the province's natural resource management practices. This study aims to evaluate the alignment of natural resource management in Golestan province with sound governance principles.MethodologySeven indicators were selected for this research based on a comprehensive review of global and regional studies: participation, accountability, responsibility, rule of law and justice, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, and consensus. The eastern cities of Golestan province served as the unit of analysis, with natural resource users and experts in these areas constituting the analysis unit. Cochran's formula determined the sample size, resulting in a target of 189 participants. After receiving and reviewing the questionnaires, 177 valid responses were included for statistical analysis. Additionally, 70 natural resource experts were selected to complete the questionnaire. User samples were randomly selected, while all experts were included (complete counting). Data analysis involved t-tests and analysis of variance.ResultsFrom the users' perspective, the overall good governance index for natural resources averaged 2.8884, less than the theoretical average. This indicates weak governance according to the study area's natural resource users. The lowest average scores were assigned to the rule of law, justice, transparency, and accountability. Experts expressed higher satisfaction levels with all indicators, with the highest scores (3.46 and 3.42) for accountability and responsibility, respectively. Experts identified efficiency and effectiveness as the most crucial factor for good governance, while users prioritized participation.ConclusionThe results reveal that the overall good governance index falls below the theoretical average, suggesting relatively weak governance of natural resources from the stakeholders' perspective in the studied area. This research emphasizes the importance of user involvement in natural resource projects, effective utilization of local knowledge, and strengthening cooperatives to improve the region's natural resource governance.
)
