Reza Erfanzadeh; Fatemeh-al-Sadat Hosseini; Seyed Homzeh Hosseini Kahnuj
Abstract
In this study, the effect of the canopy of Pteropyrum aucheri on the soil seed bank was investigated in southern Kerman province, Sehchah village rangelands. By studying the seed bank at two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm under and outside the canopy of this shrub species, the potential of the soil seed bank ...
Read More
In this study, the effect of the canopy of Pteropyrum aucheri on the soil seed bank was investigated in southern Kerman province, Sehchah village rangelands. By studying the seed bank at two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm under and outside the canopy of this shrub species, the potential of the soil seed bank in preserving and recovering of the valuable medicinal species Pergularia tomentosa was evaluated. For this purpose, 15 individuals of the P. aucheri were selected in which P. tomentosa could also be observed under the canopy of P. aucheri. Soil sampling was carried out from under and outside the canopy from both depths, totally of 60 samples. Under the canopy (and also outside the canopy), 10 soil augers were taken. The soil samples were transferred to the greenhouse in Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, and the species present in the soil were identified using the seed germination method. In the greenhouse cultivation, a total of 2164 seeds germinated. Of these, 1486 seeds belonged to the under-canopy (1156 seeds at the upper depth and 330 seeds at the lower depth) and 678 seeds belonged to the outside of the canopy (341 seeds at the upper depth and 337 seeds at the lower depth). The density of the seed bank at the upper depth was significantly higher in the under-canopy than outside the canopy. This study showed that the valuable species of P. tomentosa not only had a seed bank under the canopy but also did not form a canopy outside the canopy of P. aucheri. Therefore, for the conservation and restoration of this species, it is not possible to rely on soil seed bank.
Shadi Hazhir; Reza Erfanzadeh; Hassan Ghelichnia; Bahar Razavi; Peter Torok
Abstract
This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of livestock grazing on the soil seed bank and some soil characteristics in two saline and non-saline regions. For this purpose, two habitats with different degrees of salinity were selected in Golestan province, Iran. In each region, two ...
Read More
This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of livestock grazing on the soil seed bank and some soil characteristics in two saline and non-saline regions. For this purpose, two habitats with different degrees of salinity were selected in Golestan province, Iran. In each region, two sites of grazed and ungrazed (20 years) were selected and 15 plots of 1 m2 were established at each site. Soil samples were taken from inside the plots by auger at two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm. The harsh environmental conditions prevailing in the saline habitat caused no seeds from the soil of this saline region to germinate in the greenhouse. In the non-saline habitat, the removal of livestock grazing caused a significant increase in the density of the soil seed bank. The highest density, diversity and richness of the seed bank were respectively 1389.50 (m2), 1.24 and 5.2 in ungrazed site at the depth of 0-5 cm, and the lowest values were respectively 173.26 (m2), 29.0 and 1.46 were recorded in the grazed site at the depth of 5-10 cm. Although the soil characteristics such as organic matter and nitrogen were not significantly affected by the removal of grazing in the non-saline area, soil disturbance in the grazed site probably led to an increase in soil surface temperature and a significant increase in substrate-induced respiration and urease enzyme activity was reduced. In the saline soil, the grazing removal caused the soil characteristics to show different responses. At the ungrazed site, pH and basal respiration decreased significantly
parisa niknam; Reza Erfanzadeh
Abstract
In this study, the effect of cushion plants on spatial distribution of soil seed bank was studied in mountainous and hilly rangelands in Vaz watershed, Mazandaran province. Therefore, we selected randomly 20 Onobrychis cornuta individuals and sampled from soil at four positions around each individual ...
Read More
In this study, the effect of cushion plants on spatial distribution of soil seed bank was studied in mountainous and hilly rangelands in Vaz watershed, Mazandaran province. Therefore, we selected randomly 20 Onobrychis cornuta individuals and sampled from soil at four positions around each individual (upslope, downslope, center and, outside as control). Soil samples spread out under natural conditions in greenhouse to germinate the seeds. Germinated seeds were identified then, the seed density per square meter and species richness were calculated and both of them were compared between the four sampling positions. Two and one-way ANOVA, T-test and Duncan test were used to compare the effect of location, depth and their interaction on soil seed bank characteristics. The results showed that the effect of the location and depth of the density and species richness at level of 0.01% were significant. The results of Duncan test showed that seed density in the upslope and center positions (average 5473 and 4099.5 seed/m2, respectively) was significantly higher than seed density in the downslope and outside positions (average 2685.5 and 2413.8 seed/m2, respectively). Similarly, species richness in the upslope and center positions (the average 9.7 and 9.5, respectively) was significantly higher than species richness in the downslope and outside positions (average 7 and 6.4, respectively). Density and species richness of soil seed bank at depth of 0-5cm was significantly greater than the depth of 5-10cm. This study clarified the positive significant effect of canopy of cushion plants on seed density and richness.
