Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Shahrekord University- Expert, Department of Kurdistan Natural Resources, Iran
2 Associate professor, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Shahrekord University, Iran
3 Assisstant professor, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Kurdistan University, Iran
Abstract
In the present study, we compared different sampling patterns and different plot dimensions to estimate the percentage of canopy cover and forage production in rangeland habitats around Choghakhor Wetland. The choice of sampling method was based on the opinion of the researcher. Sampling was performed in three different plant communities, in two patterns of six and three plots. Different dimensions of the plot (including 1×1, 1×2, 2×2, and 3×3 m2) were used as a nest to estimate the production and the percentage of canopy cover. Sampling was in each community within 30 sampling units along three transects. The canopy cover of the species was estimated by estimating and producing them by double sampling. Species density was calculated by counting bases in 2×2 plots. In each population, the type of distribution of dominant species was determined by statistical tests. The results showed that two different sampling patterns and four different plot dimensions have significant differences in estimating the percentage of cover and plant production (P≤0.01). According to the interaction of the community and the pattern, plot dimensions with pattern and plant community, patterns and plot dimensions with each other, there was no significant difference. The effect of plant community with plot dimensions on a cover percentage at (p≤0.05) and production at (p≤0.01) is significant. In Gundellia tournefortii-Couisinia Bakhtiari plant community with random distribution patterns, two different sampling patterns in 1×1 and 1×2 m2 plots were significantly different, and in other dimensions, no significant difference was observed. The two different sampling patterns in the Daphnea mucronata-Astragalus adsendence community with the uniform dispersion pattern were significantly different only in plot 1×1 (p≤0.05) and شdid not differ in other sizes. The mentioned patterns in the population of Melica persica-Agropyron trichophorum with the heap pattern distribution in statistical plots of 3×3 m2 did not show a statistical difference, but in other dimensions showed a significant difference (p≤0.05).
Keywords
- Abedi, M., 2007. Comparison of production estimation methods in shrub and grass plants. M.Sc dissertation, Tarbiat Modarres University.
- Arzani, H., Dehdari, S. and King, G. 2012. Rangeland Production Estimation Models through Vegetation Measurement, Range and desert research journal, 18)1): 16-30.
- Arzani, H. and Abedi, M., 2015. Rangeland Assessment, Survey and Monitoring, University of Tehran Publications, Vol 1, 225 p.
- Arzani, H., 2018., Leaflet analysis of rangeland measurement methods. Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran. 120 p.
- Baranian, E., Basiri, M., Bashari, H. and Tarkesh, M., 2014. Plot shape and size effect on plant density and canopy cover assessment. Rangeland research Journal, 8 (1):25-36.
- Bonham, C.D., 2013. Measurements for terrestrial vegetation. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 335pp.
- Gholinejad, B., Nouri, F. and Jounaidi, H., 2015. Effect of plot dispersion level on species richness estimation in three witaker, stolgren and Ariz Designs. Journal of Natural Environment. 68 (3): 477-487.
- Hosseini, S.A. Mesdaghi, M. and Pambokhchian, S. 2011., Comparison three methods for estimating plant forage. Range and desert research journal. 4: 637-651.
- Borhani, M. and Arzani, H., 2002. Assessment of rangelands and provide appropriate solutions to achieve the required goals in livestock and rangeland management. Range and desert research journal. 4: 322-331.
- Mirdailami, S. Z. and Sepehri, A., 2012. Comparison of plots for estimation of some species quantitative characteristics in exclosed and non-exclosed rangelands of Kalposh Plain. Journal of Watershed Management Research, 91: 42-37.
- Moghadam, M.R., 2009. Descriptive and Statistical Ecology of Vegetation, University of Tehran Publications, 274 pages.
- Moghadam, M.R. and Ghorbani Pashakolaii, J., 2002. Comparison of plot size and shape for estimation of production in iranian steppe, semi-steppe and steppe plant society, Iranian Journal of Natural Resources, 54 (2): 191-204.
- Moghadam, M.R., 2016., Rangeland and Rangeland in Iran, Tehran University Press. 484 p.
- Tahmasebi, P., Ebrahimi, A. and Yar Ali, N., 2013. Determining the most appropriate plot shape and size for estimating several rangeland variables in semi-steppe rangelands. Journal of Range and Watershed Management (Iranian Natural Resources), 65 (2): 216-203.
- Zare chahouki, M., 2008. Assessment of quadrate and spatial index for determination of distribution sampling in yazd provice. Rangeland Journal, 2:101-112.
- Zare Chahouki, M.A., Khojaste, F., Yousefi, M., Farsodan, A. and Shafizadeh, M., 2014. Determination of plot number, area and suitable plot for sampling vegetation in middle talegan rangelands. Journal of Watershed Research. 26(99): 134-139.
)