Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS) has published original, peer-reviewed and technical rangeland articles since the autumn of 2010 to serve rangeland science, engineering and management by publishing timely and reliable information. Journal DOI: 10.57647/jrs Journal Abbreviation: J. Rangeland Sci. Journal Title Acronym: JRS Journal Owner: Islamic Azad University Borujerd Branch, Co-publishing, OICC Press, UK Director-in-Charge: Ali Ariapour, PhD 0000-0001-6783-0680 Editor-in-chief: Ali Ashraf Jafari, PhD 0000-0001-9917-6986 JRS is an integral partner with the scientific and technical communities, delivering superior information products and services that foster communication. It builds insights and enables individual and collective advancement in rangeland research. To provide rangeland scientific information and the general public with descriptions of timely, contemporary advances in rangeland issues for improving rangeland protection, JRS tries to conserve natural resources. IF by ISC in 2022=429 (Q2) Scopus: CiteScoreTracker 2022=1.1 (Q3) Scopus: SJR 2022= 0.276
Evaluation of the effects of climate variability on vegetation in mountainous rangelands (case study: Sabalan Mountainside in Iran)
The impact of climate change on vegetation growth has become a significant issue in recent years. This study focuses on the effects of climate variability on vegetation cover of rangelands in different elevation zones of the Sabalan Mountain region in northwestern Iran, which plays a vital role in the local economy and ecosystem. The study utilized a combination of climate and rangeland vegetation cover data Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) collected over 17 years (2003–2019) from two local weather stations and Landsat satellite imagery. The Mann-Kendall test was used to identify trends, and simple and multiple linear regressions (p<0.05) models were employed to assess the relationship between climate variables and vegetation cover NDVI. The results showed that a significant rise in June average temperatures (0.071°C/year, p<0.05), while vegetation cover showed a notable increase in NDVI during early summer (0.004/year for low-elevation rangelands, 0.006/year for mid-altitude rangelands, p<0.05). A strong positive correlation (r=0.57 for mean and r=0.52 for peak temperature, p<0.01) was found between NDVI in higher-altitude rangelands and July temperatures. The NDVI of rangelands also showed a notable positive correlation of r=0.55 with the average June temperature (p<0.01). Additionally, the multiple regression analysis revealed that the relationship between NDVI and temperature parameters strengthened at mid-altitudes, with an increase in correlation (r=0.73) (p<0.01) when both average and maximum spring temperatures were considered. This research highlights the potential implications of climate change for rangeland management in the region, offering insights for future studies and climate adaptation strategies.
Copyright (c) -1 Farhad Hashemian, Ebrahim Fataei, Marzieh Mosayebi, Aliakbar Imani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the allelopathic impact of leaf extracts from three desert flora on roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L. (All.)) under three experimental conditions
This study aimed to assess the allelopathic effects of leaf extracts from Prosopis juliflora (an invasive species), Acacia nilotica, and Ziziphus spina-christi (native species) on seed germination and seedling growth of Chamaemelum nobile (L) All. (Roman chamomile) under three vegetative conditions (laboratory, greenhouse, and field). The germination percentage, germination rate, and seedling growth of Roman chamomile were evaluated under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In the laboratory, the effects of various concentrations of leaf powder (30%, 50%, and 100%) were assessed, with distilled water used as the control. During the greenhouse stage, different litter-to-sand ratios (1:15, 1:10, and 1:5) were utilized for evaluation. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with four replications. Field experiment was performed utilizing a randomized systematic design, in which 10 randomly selected seedlings of each species were planted at distances of 0, 1, and 2 m from selected trees. The results indicated that leaf extracts of P. juliflora, A. nilotica, and Z. spina-christi reduced the germination percentage, radicle length, and plumule length of Roman chamomile across all concentrations compared to the control. Moreover, an increase in leaf extract concentrations led to a decrease in germination percentage, germinationrate, radicle length, and plumule length. P. juliflora's leaf extract exhibited a more pronounced impact on all variables compared to the other species. In this context, the treatment with 100% leaf extract of P. juliflora yielded the lowest percentage of germination (24%), the lowest germination rate (3 seeds per day), the shortest plumule length (0 mm), and the shortest radicle length (3.5 mm) for Roman chamomile. In the greenhouse treatment, the litter-to-sand ratio significantly influenced the germination and radicle length of Roman chamomile, with all variables showing an increase with higher sand proportions relative to leaves. The highest allelopathic effects were observed in the P. juliflora leaf extract mixed with sand. These findings were supported by the results of field treatments. The field study confirmed the results of the experiments conducted in both laboratory and greenhouse. Additionally, the frequency of Roman chamomile was found to increase as the distance from A. nilotica and P. juliflora increased, suggesting an influence over the plant's spread. Conversely, Z. spina-christi exhibited a different behavior, indicating its supportive role in enhancing the presence of Roman chamomile in natural settings. Regarding the significant medicinal value of Roman chamomile in Iran, along with the allelopathic impact of A. nilotica and P. juliflora on other plants, it is advisable to prioritize the cultivation of species like Z. spina-christi which are better adapted to local soil and climate conditions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Sadeghipour, Davoud Kartoolinejad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GIS-aided site selection for solar panel installation in rangeland areas of Mashhad County of Iran
Most areas of Iran enjoy more than 300 days of good sunshine for photovoltaic energy production and the potential for wind energy production is also immense. In this study we evaluated the suitability of Mashhad County rangelands in Iran for the installation of photovoltaic panels. Mashhad is a mega city with a growing population due to its religious importance and the traveling pilgrims coming to the city to visit the Holy Shrine each year. We evaluated the rangeland areas based on several factors including topographic features (slope gradient, slope direction and height), roads and infrastructure, built-up areas, environmentally protected areas, solar photovoltaic output potential, air temperature, land cover and active fault lines using the multicriteria evaluation method. Since most of the area is flat with minor elevations, there is no limitation for energy production. The largest share of the area has slope gradient of less than 15% (3303 km2), this factor also imposes no limitation. In terms of elevation also 42% (4335 km2) of the area below 2000m is suitable for solar farm construction. There are some 72 active faults in the area. In total, 7.3% of the total area is covered with protected areas accounting for ~720 km2 which is not suitable for solar farms. In terms of land cover, 72% of the area is available for constructing solar farms. There is also no limitation in terms of air temperature and potential PhotoVoltaic (PV) output. The final suitability map was obtained by combining these layers and then divided into five classes. Based on our results, the suitable class had the largest share of the final map. Highly suitable areas comprise 14.1% of the total area. The excluded lands from the analysis due to the limiting factors made up approximately 56% equal to 5811 km2. In total, Mashhad County has considerable potential for solar energy production.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mostafa Dastorani, Masoud Jafari Shalamzari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of some woody nurse plants on preservation composition and biodiversity of understory herbaceous in southern Zagros forests (Case study: Vezg region, Yasouj, Iran)
Studying the effects of woody nurse plants on the composition and biodiversity of herbaceous understory plants, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, is essential for managing the ecosystems optimally. This research was conducted to investigate the role of canopy cover of nurse plants in preserving the composition and biodiversity of herbaceous understory plants in the Vezg region located in Southern Zagros forests in Kohgiluye and Boyerahmad province, Iran. Three woody nurse species of Amygdalus lycioides Spach., Pyrus glabra Boiss., and Daphne mucronata Royle., which have been recognized as the indicator species to support natural regeneration and their relative importance in the composition of upper-story plants were selected. Canopy cover percentages were recorded for understory plants for nurse species and adjacent open space (control) in 1 m2 plots. Also, biodiversity and richness indices of understory plants were computed along with their vegetation cover percentage using Past software. Vegetation data between three woody nurse species was analyzed using the ANOVA, and the means were compared using the Duncan test. Eighty-one species in open space and the understory of nurse species were identified. The highest cover percentages of understory plants was related to annual plants such as Taeniatherum crinitum and Bromus tectorum. Also, the highest cover percentages in open spaces were related to annual species involving Heteranthelium piliferum, Scariola orientalis, and Alyssum marginatum. Results showed higher values of biodiversity indices for woody nurse species A. lycioides and D. mucronata than those for P. glabra. Generally, results demonstrated that the nurse species, especially A. lycioides, could be used as a shelter to increase the growth of annual herbaceous species and could preserve high-quality species for livestock grazing.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Amin Sadat, Sohrab Alvaninejad, Parviz Gholami, Alireza Salehi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Degradation status and land productivity assessment in drylands using remote sensing and ground survey: Experiences from India and China
The impact of Remote Sensing technologies (RS) on land classification and its potential for various land uses is often taken for granted. Without it, land managers would be unable to implement remedial measures to conserve and restore degraded land. We provide a ‘snapshot’ of how governance in China and India, using new monitoring technologies, can lead to better outcomes for the ecosystems and the people whose livelihoods depend on the flow of ecological goods and services from the vast areas of these two countries. The advent of new technology, including greater reliance on near-Earth platforms to provide extremely high-resolution imagery, augments the data obtained by orbiting land resource satellites. The development and refinement of the Geographic Information System (GIS) in conjunction with RS has allowed accurate differentiation and mapping of multi-attribute land capability. The challenge for government planners and land managers is to find tools that allow relevant data to be collected and analysed. Ideally, such tools should be able to give a rapid assessment, and not involve large teams of highly trained personnel or incur high costs. This paper reports on the development and trial of such tools on a broad scale (millions of km2) under harsh environmental conditions in both India and China. The paper has three main parts. First, we present a brief overview of the current and developing situation in China and India in response to the newly created infrastructure, population shifts and changes in governance and policy initiatives. Next, we build on insights from the literature and fieldwork in remote areas covering a broad spectrum of problems (salinity, mobile dunes, waterlogging, etc.). Here we developed an understanding of the need for tools to help planners and land managers in a range of unique challenging situations. Finally, we re-visit the nexus between monitoring land degradation and the use of remote sensing and allied technologies and offer some insights as to future directions in both data acquisition, analysis and interpretation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mahesh Kumar Gaur, Haiying Feng, Victor Roy Squires (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The effect of tree planting on native vegetation in the dust center of southwest Iran
In order to dust control, 26,000 ha of the dusty center of southwest Iran were stabilized by planting Prosopis juliflora in Khuzestan province, Iran from 2015 to 2021. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tree planting on the richness and diversity of the local plant species and identify the appropriate irrigation methods for tree plantations and increasing the native vegetation cover. In this research, the richness and diversity of plant species and the amount of vegetation production were investigated. During the field survey, a total of 420 fixed plots were established for both tree planting and control sites (without tree planting) in seven areas of Bagan, Hofireh, Shoaimit Faleh, Shoamit Mandil, Sharifiieh, Seyed Sharaf, Mosalemieh, in Ahvaz County, Iran. To achieve the research goal, the plant sampling was first done in both sites within each area. Data were collected for species diversity, species richness, species evenness, dominance and Simpson's and Shannon's diversity indices. An ANOVA (Analysis of variance) was made between seven locations and the T-test was used for comparisons between two sites (tree plantation area and control) within each location. The results of the T-test showed significant differences for all diversity indices between tree plantation and control sites in all areas except for the Mosalemieh. Results showed that irrigation coupled with rainfall had an effective role in increasing plant species diversity of the local vegetation in the deserts and the restoration of fragile pastures. It was concluded that all areas had plenty of native seed banks, and if a suitable substrate is provided for these reserves and enough water is available, the native vegetation could be established.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mehri Dinarvand, Sajad Alimahmodi Sarab, Seyed Abdolhossein Arami, Marzieh Ghomeshion, Mohammad Fayaz, Kohzad Haidari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Role of woody plants in dust absorption and identifying dust centers in Ahvaz city, Iran
Dust is an atmospheric phenomenon that has a negative impact on the environment. Less noticed, the dust particles cause respiratory and cardiovascular health problems in the citizens of western and southern regions of Iran. One of the actions could be to plant trees that are compatible with the climate of these regions. To investigate the role of woody plants in identifying and controlling dust centers, the leaves of four tree species (Albizia lebbeck, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Conocarpus erectus and Cordia myxa) were sampled in four regions representing 9 geographical directions (center, main and secondary regions) in Ahvaz city, Iran. Leaf area and dust concentration were spatially analyzed in the laboratory for three seasons, i.e., spring, summer and autumn 2021. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method was used to map pollution. The results showed that C. erectus and C. myxa had the highest dust binding efficiency with average values of 1.066 and 0.976 mg/cm2, respectively, followed by A. lebbeck and E. camaldulensis with average values of 0.290 and 0.478 mg/cm2, respectively. The results of dust distribution zones showed that domestic dust sources were significantly high in the southwestern and southeastern regions with average values of 1.880 and 0.869 mg/cm2, respectively. Planting trees such as C. erectus, A. lebbeck and C. myxa in urban environments was suggested as an efficient method for dust control in the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marzieh Hoseini, Azadeh Kazemi, Morteza Naderi, Mina Taghizadeh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Delfan County, Lorestan Province, Iran
Ethnobotany investigates the traditional and local application of plants in different regions. This study aimed to introduce the most important medicinal plants in Delfan County, Lorestan Province, Iran, and their applications in traditional therapies. The plant samples in the area were collected during the growing season based on the common methods of plant taxonomy using different flora and other sources. The medicinal species were identified using different flora and other references. The family, genus, species, and plant organs with medicinal value were determined. The protective classes of plants were investigated using the Red Data Book of Iran. Ethnopharmacological data were collected using various references, questionnaires, field survey methods, and group interviews. In total, 212 species were collected, of which 114 medicinal species belonging to 33 families and 95 genera were identified. The results showed that the largest families in terms of the number of medicinal species; Lamiaceae with 23 species (20.18%), Asteraceae with 20 species (17.54%), Fabaceae with 9 species (7.89%), Apiaceae with 7 species (6.14%), and Poaceae and Brassicaceae each with There are 6 species (5.26%). Biological forms of plants were determined based on Raunkiaer. Hemicryptophytes 44.70%, therophytes 30.70%, chaemophytes 11.40%, phanrophytes 7% and geophytes 6.10% of the plants of the region. Many species (about 34%) have Irano-Turanian region distribution. Iran's endemic species in the region include two types of protection class in Endangered (EN) with 2 species and Vulnerable (VU) with one species. Examining the therapeutic properties of medicinal plants in the studied area showed that they are anti-inflammatory (11%), diuretic (11%), anti-diabetic (10%), digestive (8%) antimicrobial (7%), analgesic (6%), sedative (6%), stomachic (6%), hepatoprotective (5%) and cough (5%) are the most used medicinal plants in the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Amir Mirzaei Mossiavand, Farajollah Tarnian, Azad Rastegar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of mulches and plant shelters on soil moisture, seedlings establishment and growth of Zygophyllum atriplicoides in an arid rangeland, Iran
Soil mulches and plant shelters may improve microclimate conditions and conserve soil moisture in arid ecosystems. Few studies have tested their effects on plant establishment in the arid steppe rangelands. Also, different methods have rarely been compared in a single study. We applied and monitored the effects of fragmented stones and shrub debris (as soil mulches), and plastic gallons (as plant shelters), along with a control treatment, on the newly planted seedlings of Zygophyllum atriplicoides, a native keystone shrub, in Zirkuh rangelands, Ghaen, eastern Iran. Seven times irrigation was applied on five treatments as control, within stone shelter, litter shelter, inside (PGI), and outside (PGO) plastic gallons, using a completely randomized design with four replications. The seedlings were irrigated five times from March 15 to August 21 in 2015 and twice on May 10 and June 5 in 2016. Seedling growth and survival rate were measured 7 times during two consecutive growing seasons, from February 2015 to September 2016. The highest increase (76%) in soil moisture conservation was found inside both PGI and PGO treatments. The highest (93.8%) establishment rate of Z. atriplicoides seedlings was found in the stone treatment. Plastic gallons increased shoot growth of Z. atriplicoides seedlings (PGI=219%, PGO=100%) as well as root volume (PGI=29%, PGO=27%) and root depth (PGI=13%, PGO=21%). Plastic gallon shelters increased seedling establishment in the first year (12%), but their efficiencies were lost as they were destroyed by the sunlight. Considering the relative cost, ecological, and environmental aspects, stone shelter is recommended as the best treatment for a higher establishment of Z. atriplicoides. Nevertheless, we also suggest further investigation on PG treatments, as they showed promising effects on plant growth and soil moisture conservation during the dry seasons.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Esforoghii, Mohammad Farzam, Mansoor Mesdaghi, Azam Khakzar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The role of agricultural systems and rangeland ecosystem services in the food security and nutrition of smallholder farmer households: A small-scale analysis from the west of Iran
Agriculture and rangeland are the basis of livelihood of Smallholder Farmer Households (SFHs) in Sarpol-Zahab county, west of Iran. In this area, three distinct Agricultural Systems (ASs) based on agricultural and pasture ecosystem services have been formed over time including a) AS of guaranteed agri-products that are purchased by the government, b) AS of commercial agri-products that are limited to agro-ecosystem services and c) AS of agri-pasture products that are characterized by a diverse range of agricultural and pasture ecosystem services. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the consequences of Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) of these ASs for SFHs and compare them. Collecting the required information using the USDA household food security questionnaire, the structured questionnaire for ASs, interviews and field surveys lasted from October to December 2023. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of food insecurity (57.3%) among SFHs. Food insecurity was negatively correlated with farmland size (r=-0.17, p<0.05), household income (r=-0.73, p<0.01), AS of commercial agri-products (r=-0.46, p<0.01), AS of agri-pasture products (r=-0.21, p<0.05), while, there was a weak and positive correlation between food insecurity and AS of guaranteed agri-products that was purchased by the government (r=0.15, p>0.05). The results of the relative risk test also confirm the occurrence of household food insecurity for the conditions of the absence of the AS of commercial agri-products, the absence of the AS of agri-pasture products, and the presence of the AS of guaranteed agri-products. The proper income and crop diversity, part of which is consumed in the households' food basket, will improve the food security status of the SFHs by the AS of agri-pasture products.
Copyright (c) -1 Saeed Mahmoudi, Hossein Mahmoudi, Abdolmajid Mahdavi Damghani, Jafar Kambouzia (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Forecast of temporal-spatial changes of Iran's vegetation using Markov Chain- Automated Cell Model
Vegetation changes are the main criteria for desertification and that is important in land management and monitoring. This research aimed to investigate the vegetation cover changes in different provinces of Iran. In the present study, vegetation changes were forecasted for 2024 using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained from MODIS satellite images to monitor temporal-spatial vegetation changes in different provinces of Iran and apply a Markov forecast model. To this end, vegetation maps were initially drawn for 2000, 2008 and 2016, and then changes were detected based on the comparison after classification according to different provinces. Results revealed that more descending vegetation changes belong to Markazi, Lorestan, Khuzestan, North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Bushehr and Ilam Provinces, respectively. Finally, vegetation changes were forecasted for 2024 using Markov chain-automated cell model. The results of the vegetation changes matrix based on maps from 2008 to 2016 showed that the vegetation classes of no vegetation, low vegetation, medium vegetation, and high vegetation with probabilities of 95, 90, 89, and 93%, respectively, would remain unchanged from 2016 to 2024 so that the class without vegetation will have the highest stability, and on the other hand, the normal class will have the lowest stability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fereshteh Pormarefat, Mahdi Tazeh, Majid Sadeghinia, Vahid Moosavi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of environmental sustainability using ecological footprint and bio-carrying capacity
To achieve sustainable development, it is crucial to conserve natural lands and implement sustainable land-use strategies. Environmental sustainability can be measured using indicators like Ecological Carrying Capacity (ECC) and Biological Capacity (BC). In this study, the ecological sustainability and potential trends of land degradation of Khorasan Razavi in Northeastern Iran were assessed using both Ecological Footprint (EF) and biological capacity. EF was calculated based on a combination of carbon footprint, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and protein production and BC was determined according to land-use patterns. These indicators were analyzed at both regional and county levels to assess overall sustainability. The study area exhibited an EF of 31 Million (M) global hectares (gha) and a BC of 12.7 M gha, revealing an ecological deficit and unbalanced land development. To mitigate this, an area approximately 2.4 times larger than the current one would be required. In some parts of the region, the EF was found to be 21.1 M gha-substantially surpassing the biological capacity of 1.2 M gha, further indicating unsustainable land use. Over time, the over-exploitation and degradation of natural lands have contributed to the widening gap between EF and BC. This ecological imbalance can be addressed by reducing consumption, improving production efficiency, adopting advanced eco-friendly technologies, and expanding green areas to boost carbon sequestration. In addition, effective land-use regulations are necessary to achieve long-term sustainable development goals.
Copyright (c) 2025 Somayeh Galdavi, Morteza Akbari, Hadi Memarian, Mohamad Alizadeh Noughani, Hossein Aghajani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The influence of meteorological fluctuations on vegetation dynamics: trends and modeling
Climate fluctuations can influence the density, health, and vulnerability of vegetation, highlighting the need to evaluate their combined impacts on vegetation dynamics. This study analyzed the trends of changes in precipitation and temperature in West and East Azerbaijan provinces, Iran, to clarify complex interactions of both climatic variables and indices with vegetation cover. The trend of precipitation, temperature, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) were analyzed and their impacts on vegetation dynamics were modeled from 1987 to 2022. The maps of Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) derived from Landsat 5 (TM + MSS), Landsat 7 (TM + ETM) and Landsat 8 OLI were adopted to examine the effect of climate fluctuations on vegetation cover. The results indicated a decreasing trend in precipitation and an increasing trend in temperature. A negative correlation was found between precipitation and temperature (r=-0.88) (p<0.01). Additionally, there were positive correlations between EVI and precipitation (r=0.53), EVI and SPI (r=0.57) and between EVI and RAI (r=0.61) while there was no significant correlation between EVI and temperature. Moreover, the findings showed that the SPI was a reliable index in estimating vegetation conditions. The findings of this study can enhance the understanding of ecosystem responses to climate fluctuations in the study area.
Copyright (c) 2025 Pouyan Dehghan Rahimabadi, Setareh Bagheri, Sahar Nasabpour Molaei, Hemed Joneidi Jafari, Hassan Khosravi, Hossein Azarnivand (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A review on effects of facilitators in seed germination of range species in ecological zones of Iran
The growth facilitators are used to improve plant germination rate, and growth can increase rangeland restoration's success in dry regions. This study reviewed articles that were published in scientific databases from 1998 to 2022 and the number of each facilitator in the ecological zones of Iran (Caspian or Hircanian, Iran-o-Tourani, Khalij-o-Omanian, and Zagros) was filtered and displayed in charts. Most publications were related to the use of all facilitators in the Iran-o-Tourani region (Organic or biological matters: 35, Hydrogel:30, Nanoparticles:24, Animal manure:15, Seed Humic acid:12, Compost:12, priming:11). This result can be considered as the need to seed planting of rangeland species in the Iran-o-Tourani region to prevent further destruction of rangelands, increase fodder for livestock, and prevent desertification and fine dust. The lowest number of publications was related to the Zagros and Khalij-o-Omanian ecological zones due to humidity and much precipitation. The results showed that nanoparticles, organic and biological materials and hydrogels have been used the most in all ecological zones due to their lowest environmental risks and the highest efficiency in increasing the yield of plants.
Copyright (c) 2025 Parvin Rokhforoz, Ardavan Ghorbani, Mehdi Moameri, Zeinab Hazbavi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessment of land surface temperature anomaly and its effects on dust storm index anomaly over southeastern rangeland of Iran
Dust storms are frequent events in the southeastern parts of Iran. The rangelands play a crucial role in the socio-economic conditions of rural populations and control soil erosion in southeast Iran. Spatial-temporal changes in terrestrial parameters such as land surface temperature controlled dust storm activity processes. Therefore, gathering frequent information about the Land Surface Temperature Anomaly (LSTA) and its relationship with Dust Storm index Anomaly (DSIA) was the aim of this study. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products were used to monitor LSTA. The dataset was composed of MOD11A2 product, which provides a value with 1000-m spatial resolution and 8-day temporal resolution from February and October (2000-2020). ENVI 5.6 software was used for the image misacting and reprojection of satellite images. For the determination of the DSIA, three-hour recordings (8 times a day) of the synoptic codes (07, 08, 09, 30 to 35, and 98) related to dust and visibility were used at the 8 meteorological stations. Annual mean DSIA values were computed in Excel 2016 software. Spatial maps of LSTA and DSIA were drawn in ArcGIS 10.2.2. The Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine the correlation between LSTA and DSIA. Results demonstrate that the lowest annual LSTA values were observed in the years 2000, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2019, and 2020. The highest annual LSTA values were observed in 2008, 2006, 2007, 2015, and 2018. The DSIA and LSTA time series had decreasing trends. A positive correlation between LSTA and DSIA (p<0.05) was observed. The results imply that positive LSTA increases dust storms in the southeastern parts of Iran. Limited adaptive capacity, lack of information, and poor stakeholder coordination and cooperation caused the large-scale impact of the dust storms. These results can be useful for the decision-makers in assessing the risks of dust storm impacts and reducing their negative consequences in the southeastern rangelands of Iran.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maede Nasry, Mohammad Rahimi, Hadi Jalili, Farzaneh Hadadi, Ali Akbar Damavandi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Sulla (Sulla coronaria L.) nutritive value in calcareous soil pastures of Mediterranean area
In this study investigated the nutritive value of Sulla harvested from two calcareous soil sites containing different concentrations of CaCO3, i.e. Kariat Benaouda (10.7%) and Mosmoda (26.0%) located in the northwest of Morocco. Small differences emerged among samples as a result of the sampling site's effect regarding the crude protein and ﬁber content. However, a significant variation was observed concerning the mineral composition, particularly for iron (Fe) content. Comparatively, Sulla at the Mosmoda site had a higher Fe concentration (875 mg/kg Dray Matter (DM) at the vegetative stage and 194 mg/kg DM at the flowering stage) than at Kariat Benaouda (139 and 15.1 mg/kg DM, respectively). The results of measured secondary metabolites show a high concentration of total phenolics and oxalate content during the flowering stage at the Mosmoda site (4.88 %DM and 27.87 mg/100g, respectively) as compared with the Kariat Benaouda site (3.37 %DM and 16.07 mg/100g). Overall, the plant could maintain a very high value of organic matter digestibility, at the vegetative stage at both harvesting sites (71.11%OM at the Mosmoda site and 84.16%OM at Kariat Benaouda). These findings indicate the efficiency of Sulla for animal nutrition, to improve calcareous soil pastures indigenous to the Mediterranean area.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anass EL Yemlahi, Abdelhay Arakrak, Mounir Hassani Zerrouk, Amin Laglaoui, Mohammed Ayadi, Mohammed Bakkali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Herbage yield and quality of five native species of Milkvetch (Astragalus spp.) under rain-fed conditions in Iran
The role of different species of Astragalus in soil erosion prevention, genetic storage, species diversity, improving of soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, and finally, the production of good quality forage is of great importance. This research aimed to investigate the quality and quantity of five herbaceous milkvetch species (Astragalus brevidens Freyn & Sint., Astragalus vegetus Bunge, Astragalus cyclophyllon Beck, Astragalus effusus Bunge, and Astragalus brachyodontus Boiss.) under rain-fed conditions in Damavand, Iran. The seeds of each species were collected from their natural habitats and sown in the field using a completely randomized block design with three replications in 2017. Data were collected for Dry Matter (DM) yield, canopy cover, plant height, stem number, and seed yield at the seeding stage in 2019. For quality traits, forage samples were taken in three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, and seeding) in 2020, and the traits of Crude Protein (CP), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Water-Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC), Crude Fiber (CF), acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), total Ash, and Metabolisable Energy (ME) were estimated using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR). The results showed that there was no significant difference among the species for DM yield, but the higher and lower values (2233 and 1853 kg/ha) were obtained in A. effusus and A. cyclophyllon, respectively. For morphological traits, there were significant differences among the species, and the higher values of canopy cover area (7050 cm2), plant height (70 cm), stem number (38.33/plant), and seed yield (411 kg/ha) were obtained in A. vegetus, A. brevidens, A. effusus, and A. brevidens, respectively. Also, our findings indicate that the amount of CP, DMD, WSC, Ash, and ME was higher in the vegetative and flowering stages than that in the seeding stage. The total mean of all the studied species with values of 15.76% and 12.16% for CP, 66.11 and 63.64 for DMD, and 9.24 and 8.81 for ME were obtained in the vegetative and flowering stages, respectively, which classify them as desirable forage species. Additionally, all the studied species are suitable for grazing by livestock in both growth stages from spring up to the middle summer seasons. Based on the findings, milkvetch has the attributes of a desirable forage species. It was concluded that A. effusus and A. cyclophyllon were the superior species for both yield and quality traits among the studied species.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sedigheh Zarekia, Niloofar Zare, Ali Ashraf Jafari, Amir Ghorbankhani, Samira Hossein Jafari (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Arid land degradation issues in Ethiopia: the case of the Borana and afar rangeland systems: A review
The unique feature of arid and semi-arid environments is that there is huge resource variability because of the climatic variation. Pastoralists are ecosystem experts and systematically live in the environment for a very long period. These savanna ecosystems are considered as a range of land for livestock and wild animals. Similar to other East African countries, most of Ethiopia is situated in an arid and semi-arid environment and there are pastoralists in this part of the country. There are approximately 10 million pastoralists in Ethiopia who make up almost 14% of the total population. Coming from at least 29 different nations and nationalities, Ethiopian pastoralists live in more than 133 woredas in seven National Regional States. Somali, Afar, and Oromo pastoralists are the majority in their states and constitute 87% of the total pastoralist population. Pastoral communities in the Southern part of Ethiopia (South Omo and Bench-Maji Zones), Benishangul-Gumuz, Dire Dewa, and Gambella make up the remainder. In the Borana and Afar rangelands of Ethiopia, bush encroachment has been expanding over the last four decades. The underlying causes for the bush encroachment are the breakdown of traditional land use practices (mainly mobility), expansion of farming in the rangelands, decentralization, and yearly grazing following the creation of permanent water points in the previous dry season grazing rangelands, and prohibition of range fire. Rangeland degradation has been occurred because of overgrazing, which may have altered the ecosystem in favor of the annual species and the extinction of highly palatable perennial species. Changes in soil surface conditions, notably compaction through trampling by livestock, lead to deterioration in soil-plant-water relationships and reduced germination rate, particularly of the palatable species. There are different options to restore such a degraded ecosystem, but the use of prescribed fire and acceptance of their customary resource management seems feasible in these areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Belay Zerga (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Diet composition and forage intake of horses and cattle grazing in Puna Grasslands during the wet and dry season
Peruvian puna grasslands are extensively used by horses and cattle but the competitive relationships between both animal species are not known, so a trial was conducted to understand how the composition of the diet and forage intake varied in the dry and wet season. The grassland was of fair condition and was dominated by Festuca inarticulata and Calamagrostis vicunarum. Diet samples were collected over two seasons, wet (February and April) and dry (August and November), and analyzed for botanical composition at species and plant parts, nutritive value, dead and green proportions, diversity and dry matter intake. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA with season and animal as factors. The results showed that the composition of the average diet was similar and was made up of tall grasses. The average nutritional value and forage intake were similar, improving their digestibility with the advent of the wet season. The greatest difference was obtained at the level of plant parts and functional groups and occurred in the wet season with horses consuming a greater proportion of stems and senescent material than cattle. It was concluded that although both animal species exhibit a high overlap in botanical composition of the diet, their diet composition did not differ at the level of plant parts (stems vs. leaf), quality (green vs. dead) and functional groups (grasses, grasslikes and forbs). Thus, horses could be used in complementary grazing systems to increase forage utilization efficiency.
Copyright (c) 2025 Enrique Ricardo Flores, Erich Efrain Gonzales, Raul Enrique Tácuna (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of sheep grazing management on the endoparasite population on grassland
Our research objective was to clarify the effect of different sheep grazing practices on parasite infestation in a semi-natural grassland community with a solonyec soil composition. Sampling for the occurrence of internal parasites of sheep was carried out in three extensively cultivated Achilleo - Festucetum pseudovinae grass communities with different grazing systems but in the same site conditions, in 2022-2023, at the MATE Research Institute in Karcag, Hungary. The sheep grazing regimes were: pastoral grazing, rotational grazing, and permanent, shelterbelt-forest grazing used in all grazing days. Microscopic analyses of the genomes and numbers of potentially infective oviposition and L3 larval stage endoparasites in sheep pastures were carried out on samples of faecal matter from grazed pastures and grass samples prepared using a 'larval running'. During our investigations, we found that the most infested area was the permanent pasture, 1350 eggs/g were found and Trichostrongylida type eggs were the most common in the faecal samples; furthermore, Nematodirus sp., Eimeria sp. and Strongylid type eggs were the most highly ones in this area.
Copyright (c) 2025 Krisztina Varga, István Csízi, Csilla Erzsébet Bojté, András Halász (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Estimation of the yield using plant dimensions in Artemisia sieberi and Dorema ammoniacum, (case study: Dare Baz Sarayan rangeland, South Khorasan province, Iran)
Determining an appropriate method for measuring plant yield is useful in estimating the grazing capacity of rangelands. The method of determining yield through plant dimensions is a fast and low-cost method, but may not be used according to the vegetative structure of the plant. Therefore, this research aimed to estimate the plant yield via linear regressions of canopy cover, height, and volume as (dependent variables) in two species of Artemisia sieberi and Dorema ammoniacum in Dare Baz rangelands of Sarayan, south Khorasan province in Iran in 2021. Six parallel transects 50 m long with 10 m distance from each other were established. Random sampling method was done along transects using 30 plants in all 6 transects. Plant height, plant diameter (small diameter perpendicular to the large diameter), canopy cover, canopy volume, and yield of each plant were measured. Data were entered into R software. The relationship between yield and the other variables was estimated using correlation and regression analysis. The results showed that there was a significant linear relationship between all three estimators and yield in both plant species (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the best relationships between canopy volume and yield were obtained in both species. The R2 values between canopy volume and yield were 0.71 and 0.60 for A. sieberi and D. ammoniacum, respectively. On the other hand, based on the obtained R2 value, the estimation of the yield through the plant dimensions was an efficient method in A. sieberi than to D. ammoniacum.
Copyright (c) -1 Reza Yari, Maedeh Yousefian, Esfandiar Jahantab (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spatio-temporal monitoring of drought indices and their impact on vegetation cover in Zagros region, Iran under climate change scenarios
Climate change has caused major destructive effects across the world. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies to evaluate the impact of climate change on weather patterns and drought. In this research, the temporal-spatial monitoring of drought and its impact on the loss of Zagros vegetation under climate change scenarios in 2022 was carried out. For this purpose, four general atmospheric models (BCC-CSM1, CANESM2, HADGEM2-ES, NORESM1-M) were constructed under three representative concentration pathways (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5) for three future periods 2020 − 2039, 2040 − 2069 and 2070 − 2099 using data from 6 synoptic stations located in the wet and temperate areas in the Zagros region in western Iran. This region was chosen due to its history of droughts and predicted future droughts. Spatial-temporal variations of drought severity and frequency were studied using Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) indices in different periods until 2100. The results showed the area of extremely dry areas will increase by 47.9% in ( 2020 − 2039 ) compared to the base period (1984 − 2020 ). According to SPI results, on average, the frequency of droughts will increase by 1.9% by the end of the century. Analysis of SPEI showed that drought will be more severe in all future periods. Based on SPEI, drought frequency will increase by 2% in (2020 − 2039) relative to the base period, and by 0.3% to 2099. According to the results, the frequency and severity of droughts in the 21th century have become more severe, which is an obvious component of climate change in Zagros. As a result, when the land is damaged and vegetation and forests are destroyed, it will cause instability in all social, economic and ecosystem sectors, so appropriate measures must be taken to control and reduce possible effects.
Copyright (c) -1 Mahsa Pakdin, Morteza Akbari, Mohamad Alizadeh Noughani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessment of productivity, grazing capacity and rangeland value of grazed herbages of Falmey Rangelands South Western part of Niger Republic
This study was presented for a better understanding of the current condition of the herbages following flora and vegetation sampling in four rangelands along the axis of transhumance in Falmey department (Dosso Region), southwest part of Niger Republic. It was aimed to determine the phytodiversity of each herbage plant community; classify and describe herbage communities along an ecological gradient; and assess the productivity and the grazing capacity of the herbage plant communities. A total of 85 plots, measuring 50 × 20 m, were established for the phytosociological inventory and the distance between transects was 500 m and the distance between plots was 300 m. The line-point intercept method was used to inventory floristics vegetation and herbaceous phytomass was collected from each plot of 1000 m2 at the five different places. On each plot, five square plots of 1 m2 were placed (one square plot at the four corners and one in the middle of the plot of 1000 m2). A total of 72 vegetal herbaceous species were recorded in the four rangelands, belonging to 53 genera and 20 families. Among the families, Poaceae was the most abundant, followed by Fabaceae. The life forms spectrum of the four grazing lands was dominated by Therophytes with 75%. The phytogeophical was dominated by the paleotropical and pantropical species, covering 25% and 21% of the chorological spectrum, respectively. Following Agglomerative hierarchical cluster and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), five herbage communities were discriminated against. The biodiversity estimates with Richness, Shannon index and Pielou Equitability respectively, ranged from 49 to 60; 3.31 to 3.75 bits and 0.56 to 0.64. The herbage communities had produced phytomass with a mean of 1230 ± 300 kg.DM/ha. In total, rangeland value ranged from 24.80% to 44.11%, indicating the lower quality of the pasture of Falmey four rangelands.
Copyright (c) -1 Fada Abas Zannou, Maharazu A. Yusuf, Soumana Idrissa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Valuation and conservation of the Peruvian Puna Ecosystem: Economic and ecological perspectives
Focusing on the Andean Puna ecosystem, a network of interconnected grasslands, wetlands, and shrublands, this review article examines how Andean communities in Peru perceive their economic value. The Puna’s ecological services are crucial, making it a vital natural resource. The research was conducted by the authors in two Peruvian regions (Ancash in 2014 and Pasco in 2011) and we compared residents’ perceptions of the grasslands’ economic value and the indirect environmental benefits they provide. Both studies utilized the well-established contingent valuation method, as common tool in economic valuation. Interestingly, while residents in both regions expressed a willingness to pay for these services, the amounts differed significantly (US$ 1.60 per household/month in Pasco compared to $ 0.82 in Ancash). This disparity suggests that environmental context, the directness with which communities experience benefits, and variations in social environments and economic activities all play a role in shaping perceptions. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing education and awareness to ensure communities fully appreciate the valuable environmental products and services provided by the Puna ecosystem.
Copyright (c) -1 Jorge Alarc´on-Novoa, Enrique R. Flores, Cecilio Barrantes-Campos (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Comparative investigation of heavy metals in soil and fruit of medicinal plant Capparis spinosa L. (Case Study: Hashtgerd Region, Iran)
Capparis spinosa L. has a variety of uses, including preventing soil erosion, land restoration, edible consumption, and medicinal benefits. The pollution caused by municipal waste and factory effluents can affect the growth and medicinal properties of this plant in nature. This study aimed to investigate the morphological traits and heavy metals of soil and fruit of C. spinosa in contaminated and uncontaminated natural habitats in Hashtgerd region, Alborz province, Iran in June 2020. For this purpose, stem length, leaf length and width, fruit length and width, coverage and number of rootstocks were measured in 10 random plots of 4 m2. Five samples of soil and fruit of C. spinosa were taken from the plots to measure the heavy metals contents (Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb). T-test analysis demonstrated significant differences between two contaminated and uncontaminated sites for the amounts of stem length, fruit length and width, leaf length and width, coverage and density of rootstocks (P < 0.01). The highest amounts of stem length (162.5 cm), leaf length and width (2.4 and 2.7 cm), fruit length and width (3.7 and 2.5 cm), coverage (17.1%) and density (219 plant/ha) were found in the uncontaminated site. There was the higher heavy metals content in the fruit as Zn > Fe > Mn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni and in the soil as Zn > Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd. The results of the T-test showed that there was a significant difference between the amounts of Cu, Ni and Mn, Fe, Cd and Pb (P <0.01) and Zn (P < 0.05) in contaminated and uncontaminated sites. Based on the btained results, it was suggested to cultivate this species in contaminated areas with heavy metals for phytoremediation and soil stabilization, and in uncontaminated areas, for medicinal, food and fodder purposes.
Copyright (c) -1 Mina Rabie, Sareh Mohammadi, Younes Asri, Gholamreza Bakhshi Khaniki (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Studying participatory behaviors of local communities in ecotourism-based natural resources conservation: Using the theory of planned behavior in Zagros Mountains, Iran
Ecotourism has been experiencing rapid growth in various regions, primarily due to its potential for economic development for local communities and environmental conservation. The active involvement of local communities in ecotourism-based natural resources conservation yields mutually beneficial outcomes for both the communities and conservation efforts. This study was conducted in the Galehgol traditional property, located in the Zagros Mountains in western Iran. The natural resources in this area have undergone significant degradation over time due to extensive utilization by the local population. In recent times, policymakers and natural resource managers have recognized the potential of participatory ecotourism plans in reducing local communities’ dependency on resources while simultaneously promoting conservation. As a pioneering research endeavor in the region, the main objective of this paper was to examine the intentions and behaviors of the local host community regarding their participation in the conservation of natural resources, utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). To enhance the predictive power of the theory of planned behavior, this study incorporates the variable of Environmental Concern. Data from a sample of 278 local individuals were collected through questionnaires administered between June 2021 and May 2022. The collected data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling and Smart-Pls software. The questionnaire was specifically developed by the researchers for this study. The findings of the structural equation analysis revealed that in the initial TPB model, the three variables of Attitude, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Subjective Norms were collectively accounted for 54.5% and 61.4% of the variance in intention and behavior, respectively. When the environmental concern variable was added to the model, it enhanced the explanatory power to 66.8% for intention and 60.4% for behavior among the local community. The results indicated that attitude and subjective norms, in both the original and extended models, significantly influence the intentions of local communities towards conserving ecotourism natural resources. However, perceived behavioral control did not have a significant effect on intention in either model. On the other hand, the added variable of environmental concern demonstrated a significant impact on both intention and behavior among the local population. By addressing the research gap, this study contributes to a better understanding of the role of environmental concern in the context of conserving natural resources in ecotourism destinations. The findings can also serve as valuable insights for policymakers and natural resource managers in promoting local community participation in ecotourism planning efforts.
Participatory natural resources conservatio
Copyright (c) -1 Akram Latifinia, Rahim Maleknia, Mehdi Rahimian, Fernando Almeida-Garcia (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of selected Vetch (Vicia L.) species for their chemical compositions under rain-fed condition in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
This study was designed to investigate the forage quality of five vetch species under rain-fed conditions at Dessie Zuria District, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications at three locations. The collected data were analyzed using SAS Software and means comparison was made using the Tukey method. The results revealed that there were significant differences between species for Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), ash content, Organic Matter (OM), Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Relative Feed Value (RFV), Digestible Dry Matter (DDM) (P < 0.05). The highest CP was obtained in V. dasycarpa and V. kohak. The highest TDN, RFV, ash content, and DDM were recorded for V. dasycarpa. There were significant differences between locations for ADL, ADF, ash content, DMI, RFV (P < 0.05). The highest ADL, hemicellulose, and ADF were recorded for Adey experimental site and the highest ash content and DMI were recorded in Gelisha and Tebasite locations, respectively. In comparison between locations, the higher values of all traits were obtained in Gelisha, due to its higher soil organic matter contents. In comparison between the species of V. dasycarpa. was recommended for cultivation in Dessie Zuria district.
Copyright (c) -1 Destaw Maregu Zemene, Tadesse Amare Sisay (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Identification of suitable areas for the growth of Teucrium polium species using machine learning models (a case study of Khalil Abad and Kashmar Counties, Iran)
With the advancement in computer technologies, the prediction of ecological niches for various plant species has become possible. The impact of climate change on the distribution of plants could be investigated using species distribution models. This study aimed to identify the climatic and environmental factors influencing the distribution of Teucrium polium species and determine its geographic range in Kashmar and Khalilabad counties, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. To achieve this, 75 bioclimatic variables encompassing soil, topography, climate, and geology factors were initially analyzed for correlation, and variables with correlation coefficients higher than 0.80 were eliminated. The data of 57 GPS-recorded presence points were collected from two areas during 2021 −2022. The environmental data and presence points were processed and predicted using the BIOMOD2 package within the R software, which encompasses 11 models. The models were evaluated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient (KAPPA), True Skill Statistic (TSS), and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) indices. Model accuracy assessment revealed that the Random Forest (RF) model achieved 99.7% accuracy while the Ensemble model achieved 99.4% accuracy, indicating excellent modeling precision. The relative importance of different variables in the selected models were as follows: in the RF model, silt at a depth of 30 − 60 and 15 − 30 cm, topographic humidity index, annual mean temperature, and daily temperature range; and for Ensemble model, nitrogen at a depth of 15 − 30 cm, topographic humidity index, soil bulk density at a depth of 5 − 15 cm, silt at a depth of 30 − 60 cm, and nitrogen at a depth of 15 − 5 cm, highlighting the influence of soil factors on the species distribution. The obtained results could be utilized for the conservation, management, and expansion of Teucrium polium habitats in similar areas.
Copyright (c) -1 Javad Momeni Damaneh, Jalil Ahmadi, Ali Akbar Safdari, Zahra Jafar pour Chekab, Sajad Shams Beyranvand (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of yield and morphological traits in some Iranian Annual Wild Barley (Hordeum spp.)
The Barley genus (Hordeum spp.) has low water requirements and resistance to both cold and salinity. Due to climatic limitations such as drought stress in Iran, the evaluation and identification of high-yielding genotypes used in breeding programs seem necessary. In this study, 27 annual wild barley genotypes belonging to H. distichon L., H. geniculatum All., H. glaucum Steud., H. Leporinum Link, H. marinum Hudson, H. spontaneum C. Koch and H. vulgare L. species were collected from seven localities in Iran. Genotypes were cultivated on the farm of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Karaj, Iran in 2018. The experimental layout was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The cultivation of genotypes was repeated for two consecutive years. The data were collected and analyzed for yield and morphological traits. There were significant variations for all traits between species and between genotypes within species (p < 0.01). The genotypes 40293 (H. glaucum), 38480 (H. spontaneum), and 27939 (H. leporinum) with average values of 67.67, 61.67 and 56.33 cm had the highest plant height, respectively. Also, genotypes 27939 (H. leporinum) and 32849 (H. spontaneum) with values of 1.17 and 1.15 g/plant had higher production than the other genotypes. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the first three independent components with Eigenvalues higher than 1.0 were accounted for 0.76% of the total variation. For PC1; plant height, leaf width, fresh weight, and dry weight, for PC2, tiller number, and spike length, and for PC3, leaf length, leaf number and internode length were the most important traits. Using a cluster analysis (Ward method), the genotypes were classified within the relevant species and there was a good agreement between cluster analysis and PCA. The presence of high genetic diversity for morphology, phenology, and agronomy traits in Iranian wild barley genetic resources indicates a good potential for breeding the improved varieties for cultivating in the degraded rangelands of Iran.
Copyright (c) -1 Hamideh Javadi, Parvin Salehi Shanjani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The role of pastoralists’ livelihood diversification strategy in reducing dependence on summer rangelands in the Eastern Mazandaran Province, Iran
Pastoralists in eastern Mazandaran Province, Iran are seeking a transition from pure pastoralism to a Livelihood Diversification Strategy (LDS) to ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods. Knowledge of LDS can help pastoralists to obtain a sustainable livelihood. The objective of this study was to determine the role of LDS adopted by pastoralists in reducing their dependence on summer rangelands of Hezarjarib district, Behshahr, Iran. It was an applied study that was conducted using a descriptive-analytical research method through semi-structured interview and cluster sampling methods using a questionnaire tool (85 items). The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the experienced professors. Cronbach’s alpha (0.87) was used to calculate the internal consistency of the research tool. Different types of district pastoralists’ livelihood strategies were evaluated from 2020 to 2021. Regression Function Estimation (RFE) and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method were used to analyze the revenues earned from the livelihood strategies of the rangelands. Moreover, the Lagrange Multiplier Test statistic was used to assess the heterogeneity of variance, and the chi-square distribution test (δ2). Results showed that the pastoralists had adopted 10 monoand multi-livelihood strategies. Pastoralism and medicinal plant harvesting had the largest (2.01%) and the smallest shares of stakeholders’ net income (0.14%), respectively. Multi-livelihood income crop cultivation + pastoralism + medicinal plant harvesting had the highest share of income with an average profit of 297 million IRR/household (900 $/household). OLS regression showed all of the explanatory variables of the model except the share of annual total net income were significant (p ≤ 0.05 and 0.01). The set of independent variables used in the regression explained 65% of the total income variation. The pastoralists’ multi-livelihood diversification activities, age and education had a negative effect on the total income. The results showed that more revenues earned from multi-livelihood jobs will decrease or increase the total household income depending on the decreased or increased rangelands. So, an increase in multi-livelihood household income will increase employment opportunities that may reduce the reliance on rangeland resources. Therefore, it should be attempted to take into consideration that the lack of diversity in pastoralists’ income-generating activities can make them more vulnerable than other pastoralists who enjoy multiple livelihoods.
Copyright (c) 2025 Neda Riahi, Shafagh Rastgar, Mohammad Reza Tatian (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0