Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Conservation and reclamation of vegetation in renewable natural resources is of high importance; and it is necessary to pay a focal attention to it. To achieve this goal, ecological characteristics of important plant species that form natural vegetation need to be detected and recognized; and then actions could be taken to rehabilitate plant species habitats. For this purpose, a study on autecology of Ferula oopoda in Kerman Province was conducted. This plant species grows in wide areas of the province. In this research, phenology of the plant and its root system were studied. A map of plant growing areas was created. Characteristics of the species (Ferula oopoda) habitat including topography, climate and soil were determined; and accompanied species in the habitats were detected. The results showed that Ferula oopoda grows mostly in northern aspects of cold mountain areas of the province with elevations 2000-3100 m above sea level. Average annual precipitation and temperature are 250-400 mm and 7-11 Cº, respectively. For the plant growing areas, geological formation is often conglomerate. Soil depth is very shallow and its texture is coarse. Soil acidity (pH) is 7.3-7.8 and its electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.31-0.43 ds/m. This plant species is found in habitats with different topographic aspects and slopes. The main root of this species penetrates soil to the depth of 60-90 cm. Phenological stages of this species showed that its vegetative growth stage is from late March until Early May. Flowering stage is from Late April until late May. Seed ripening for this species is from mid June until late July. Seeds of Ferula oopoda are able to germinate several years after dissemination. Using seeds of this plant species for the purpose of reclamation and rehabilitation of deteriorated rangelands in mountainous areas, with ecological conditions similar to those of Kerman Province, is highly recommended.
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