Moslem Rostampour; Alireza Eftekhari
Abstract
This research was carried out in an enclosure rangeland with four habitats of Artemisia sieberi, Zygophyllum eurypterum, Stipa barba and Amygdalus scoparia in the Shaskouh protected area, South Khorasan province. All the plant species of the rangeland were identified and counted in 200 plots, due to ...
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This research was carried out in an enclosure rangeland with four habitats of Artemisia sieberi, Zygophyllum eurypterum, Stipa barba and Amygdalus scoparia in the Shaskouh protected area, South Khorasan province. All the plant species of the rangeland were identified and counted in 200 plots, due to the different vegetation form and distribution of each of the dominant species, in each of the four habitats, 20, 40, 60 and 80 plots (respectively) were established with two plot size: 2 × 2 meters and 4 × 4 meters (60 plots each). Numerical indices and diversity ordering curves were used to compare four habitats. Alpha and gamma species richness were determined by numerical indices and single sample rarefaction and pooled rarefaction curves were used to compare species richness and determine data adequacy. The results showed that the total species richness (gamma) varies between 51 and 54 species. The habitat with 80 plots has the highest richness and diversity (S=43 and H=3.27) and 20 plots has the lowest richness and diversity (S=6 and H=1.41). The results of SHE analysis showed that with the increase in the number of plots, species evenness decreased. The pooled refraction curve showed that by increasing the number of plot to 110, all plant species will be observed. With the increase in plot size all values of species richness and diversity indices increased significantly (p≤0.01). Species evenness indices were not affected by plot size. The results of the present research showed that the numerical indices of species richness and diversity are dependent on plot size, and this is one of the disadvantages of evaluating biodiversity in rangeland using numerical indices.
Alireza Eftekhari; Mohamad Jafari; Hossein Arzani; Aliakbar Mehrabi; Mohammad Reza Bihamta; Ehsan Zandi Esfahan; Nadia Kamali
Abstract
Given the role of rangelands in soil conservation and soil fertility, strengthening the soil of rangelands could be achieved by range management plans (RMP). Therefore, in this research, 15 summer rangelands and 16 winter rangelands with RMP were investigated to determine the effects of range management ...
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Given the role of rangelands in soil conservation and soil fertility, strengthening the soil of rangelands could be achieved by range management plans (RMP). Therefore, in this research, 15 summer rangelands and 16 winter rangelands with RMP were investigated to determine the effects of range management plans on some soil properties. In each rangeland with RMP and in each vegetation type, three soil profiles were dug and soil samples were collected at two different depths. Beside each rangeland with a RMP, a rangeland with a same vegetation type and without RMP was selected for comparison and sampling was conducted. Organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus were measured in the laboratory. The data from two different range management types were analyzed in an independent sample T test using SPSS software. The results showed that, in summer rangelands, range management plans could increase the amount of some factors like phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter, while it had no significant impact on some other factors, including the amount of potassium and increasing the depth of horizon A. However, in the winter rangelands, the plans had no significant effect on strengthening the soil of rangelands and it seems that due to the slow changes of soil in arid areas, more time is needed to make significant changes in the soil.
Dariush Ghorbanian; Ehsan Zandi esfahan; Heydar Sharafieh; Alireza Eftekhari
Abstract
The use of saline and lands low-yield lands for forage production is an important step towards optimal utilization of low quality soil and water resources and supplying livestock forage as well as conservation of soil and water resources. Therefore, this research was aimed to investigate the establishment ...
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The use of saline and lands low-yield lands for forage production is an important step towards optimal utilization of low quality soil and water resources and supplying livestock forage as well as conservation of soil and water resources. Therefore, this research was aimed to investigate the establishment potential, canopy cover percentage, height growth and yield. Garmasar Desert Research Station with a soil salinity of 30-35 ds/m and Atriplex canescens, Atriplex leucoclada, Atriplex verrocifera, Aeluropus lagopoides and Aeluropus littoralis were selected and the species were cultivated in three replications. In each replication, 15 individuals of the study species were cultivated on each row. According to the results, the establishment percentage of At. ca, At. le, At. ve, Ae. la and Ae. li was recorded to be 95.5%, 95.5%, 100%, 97.7%, and 100%, respectively, indicating high establishment potential. The results of analysis of variance for annual yield showed that all the study species were able to produce forage in saline lands with a soil salinity of 35 ds/m.Among the study species, At. ca and At. le had the highest canopy cover and height. The highest forage production (more than 2 kg ha-1) was recorded for At. le, compared with other study species.Our results clearly showed that yield and canopy cover superior to other traits in showing the differences among the study species.
