Net primary production(NPP) is an indicator of rangeland ecosystem function. This research assessed the potential of the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach(CASA) model for estimating NPP and its spatial and temporal chan...Net primary production(NPP) is an indicator of rangeland ecosystem function. This research assessed the potential of the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach(CASA) model for estimating NPP and its spatial and temporal changes in semi-arid rangelands of Semirom County, Iran. Using CASA model, we estimated the NPP values based on monthly climate data and the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) obtained from the MODIS sensor. Regression analysis was then applied to compare the estimated production data with observed production data. The spatial and temporal changes in NPP and light utilization efficiency(LUE) were investigated in different rangeland vegetation types. The standardized precipitation index(SPI) was also calculated at different time scales and the correlation of SPI with NPP changes was determined. The results indicated that the estimated NPP values varied from 0.00 to 74.48 g C/(m^2·a). The observed and estimated NPP values had different correlations, depending on rangeland conditions and vegetation types. The highest and lowest correlations were respectively observed in Astragalus spp.-Agropyron spp. rangeland(R^2=0.75) with good condition and Gundelia spp.-Cousinia spp. rangeland(R^2=0.36) with poor and very poor conditions. The maximum and minimum LUE values were found in Astragalus spp.-Agropyron spp. rangeland(0.117 g C/MJ) with good condition and annual grassesannual forbs rangeland(0.010 g C/MJ), respectively. According to the correlations between SPI and NPP changes, the effects of drought periods on NPP depended on vegetation types and rangeland conditions. Annual plants had the highest drought sensitivity while shrubs exhibited the lowest drought sensitivity. The positive effects of wet periods on NPP were less evident in degraded areas where the destructive effects of drought were more prominent. Therefore, determining vegetation types and rangeland conditions is essential in NPP estimation. The findings of this study confirmed the potential of the CASA for estimating rangeland production. Therefore, the model output maps can be used to evaluate, monitor and optimize rangeland management in semi-arid rangelands of Iran where MODIS NPP products are not available.展开更多
This study aimed to identify indicator species and explore the most important environmental and management variables contributing to vegetation distribution in a hilly upper dam landscape in Zagros Mountain chain, Ira...This study aimed to identify indicator species and explore the most important environmental and management variables contributing to vegetation distribution in a hilly upper dam landscape in Zagros Mountain chain, Iran. A stratified random sampling method was used to collect topographic, edaphic, management and vegetation data. The density and cover percentage of perennial species were measured quantitatively. Indicator species were identified using the two-way indicator species analysis. Besides calculating physiognomic factors in sample sites, 24 soil samples were collected from 0 to 30 cm of soil depth and analyzed in terms of gravel percentage, texture, saturation moisture, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity in saturation extract, lime percentage, soluble calcium and magnesium, available phosphorus, Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC) and soluble sodium and potassium. Multivariate techniques including Canonical Correspondence Analysis and Multi-Dimensional Scaling were used to explore the relationships of species with environmental and management variables. Seven plants were identified as indicator species due to being significantly correlated with management(grazing or non-grazing) and edaphic variables such as CEC, soil texture, pH, CaCO3 percentage and physiographic variable including slope, elevation, and convex and concave formations(p < 0.05). Overall, overgrazing and its subsequent effects on soil characteristics, loss of vegetation cover and trampling were found as the major causes of deterioration. Sustainable and integrated management practices such as the implementation of appropriate grazing systems were suggested to enhance soil quality and reduce the accelerated erosion in upper dam zones.展开更多
Investigating the relationships between vegetation dynamic and edaphic factors provide management insights into factors affecting the growth and establishment of plant species and vegetation communities in saline area...Investigating the relationships between vegetation dynamic and edaphic factors provide management insights into factors affecting the growth and establishment of plant species and vegetation communities in saline areas.The aim of this study was to assess the spatial variability of various vegetation communities in relation to edaphic factors in the Great Salt Desert,central Iran.Fifteen vegetation communities were identified using the physiognomy-floristic method.Coverage and density of vegetation communities were determined using the transect plot method.Forty soil samples were collected from major horizons of fifteen profiles in vegetation communities,and analyzed in terms of following soil physical and chemical characteristics:soil texture,soluble Na+concentration,sodium adsorption ratio(SAR),electrical conductivity(EC),pH,organic matter content,soluble Mg2+and Ca2+concentrations,carbonate and gypsum contents,and spontaneously-and mechanically-dispersible clay contents.Redundancy analysis was used to investigate the relationships between vegetation dynamic and edaphic factors.The generalized linear method(GLM)was used to find the plant species response curves against edaphic factors.Results showed that plant species responded differently to edaphic factors,in which soluble sodium concentration,EC,SAR,gypsum content and soil texture were identified as the most discriminative edaphic factors.The studied plant species were also found to have different ecological requirements and tolerance to edaphic factors,in which Tamarix aphylla and Halocnemum strobilaceum were identified as the most salt-resistant species in the region.Furthermore,the presence of Artemisia sieberi was highly related to soil sand and gypsum contents.The results implied that exploring the plant species response curves against edaphic factors can assist managers to lay out more appropriate restoration plans in similar arid areas.展开更多
Understanding the factors influencing the distribution of plant species is crucial for enhancing the management of endangered ecosystems. This study investigated the response of Hedysarum criniferum Boiss, an endemic ...Understanding the factors influencing the distribution of plant species is crucial for enhancing the management of endangered ecosystems. This study investigated the response of Hedysarum criniferum Boiss, an endemic and endangered species to 25 environmental variables within its habitats with an area of 2.95×10^(5) km^(2) in arid and semi-arid rangelands of Iran. The purpose of this research is to identify the key environmental factors affecting the distribution and habitat preferences of H. criniferum for further conservation and restoration of the species. To predict the occurrence of H. criniferum and explore its relationship with environmental factors, we employed the best subset regression analysis, the hierarchical classification, and the extended Huisman-Olf-Fresco(eHOF) model. The results showed that four environmental variables, i.e., gravel content, pH, annual minimum temperature, and mean annual temperature showed significant correlations with the canopy cover of H. criniferum(P<0.05). The probability of H. criniferum occurrence increased with higher precipitation and elevation, while it decreased with higher mean annual temperature, annual minimum temperature, and gravel content. The species' response curves and their optimal values, as assessed by the eHOF model, indicated that the response to mean annual temperature, ranging from 12℃ to 16℃, was optimal at 13℃. The response to mean annual precipitation, within a range of 150–650 mm, was optimal at 650 mm. Elevation responses, spanning from 1546 to 2450 m, showed an optimum at 2450 m. Regarding soil characteristics, the response to gravel content, ranging from 13.0%–48.0%, demonstrated an optimal value at 20.0%. The pH levels, varying from 7.5 to 8.2, prompted a sine-shaped response with an optimal pH of 8.0. These findings provide valuable insights for predicting species occurrence and identifying suitable locations for restoration programs. Our study underscores the importance of considering multiple environmental variables in habitat suitability assessments. By incorporating these broader considerations, we can further refine predictive models and enhance conservation efforts aimed at restoring habitats conducive to the luxuriance of endangered species like H. criniferum.展开更多
文摘Net primary production(NPP) is an indicator of rangeland ecosystem function. This research assessed the potential of the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach(CASA) model for estimating NPP and its spatial and temporal changes in semi-arid rangelands of Semirom County, Iran. Using CASA model, we estimated the NPP values based on monthly climate data and the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) obtained from the MODIS sensor. Regression analysis was then applied to compare the estimated production data with observed production data. The spatial and temporal changes in NPP and light utilization efficiency(LUE) were investigated in different rangeland vegetation types. The standardized precipitation index(SPI) was also calculated at different time scales and the correlation of SPI with NPP changes was determined. The results indicated that the estimated NPP values varied from 0.00 to 74.48 g C/(m^2·a). The observed and estimated NPP values had different correlations, depending on rangeland conditions and vegetation types. The highest and lowest correlations were respectively observed in Astragalus spp.-Agropyron spp. rangeland(R^2=0.75) with good condition and Gundelia spp.-Cousinia spp. rangeland(R^2=0.36) with poor and very poor conditions. The maximum and minimum LUE values were found in Astragalus spp.-Agropyron spp. rangeland(0.117 g C/MJ) with good condition and annual grassesannual forbs rangeland(0.010 g C/MJ), respectively. According to the correlations between SPI and NPP changes, the effects of drought periods on NPP depended on vegetation types and rangeland conditions. Annual plants had the highest drought sensitivity while shrubs exhibited the lowest drought sensitivity. The positive effects of wet periods on NPP were less evident in degraded areas where the destructive effects of drought were more prominent. Therefore, determining vegetation types and rangeland conditions is essential in NPP estimation. The findings of this study confirmed the potential of the CASA for estimating rangeland production. Therefore, the model output maps can be used to evaluate, monitor and optimize rangeland management in semi-arid rangelands of Iran where MODIS NPP products are not available.
基金Isfahan University of Technology for its financial support and laboratory facilities
文摘This study aimed to identify indicator species and explore the most important environmental and management variables contributing to vegetation distribution in a hilly upper dam landscape in Zagros Mountain chain, Iran. A stratified random sampling method was used to collect topographic, edaphic, management and vegetation data. The density and cover percentage of perennial species were measured quantitatively. Indicator species were identified using the two-way indicator species analysis. Besides calculating physiognomic factors in sample sites, 24 soil samples were collected from 0 to 30 cm of soil depth and analyzed in terms of gravel percentage, texture, saturation moisture, organic matter, pH and electrical conductivity in saturation extract, lime percentage, soluble calcium and magnesium, available phosphorus, Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC) and soluble sodium and potassium. Multivariate techniques including Canonical Correspondence Analysis and Multi-Dimensional Scaling were used to explore the relationships of species with environmental and management variables. Seven plants were identified as indicator species due to being significantly correlated with management(grazing or non-grazing) and edaphic variables such as CEC, soil texture, pH, CaCO3 percentage and physiographic variable including slope, elevation, and convex and concave formations(p < 0.05). Overall, overgrazing and its subsequent effects on soil characteristics, loss of vegetation cover and trampling were found as the major causes of deterioration. Sustainable and integrated management practices such as the implementation of appropriate grazing systems were suggested to enhance soil quality and reduce the accelerated erosion in upper dam zones.
文摘Investigating the relationships between vegetation dynamic and edaphic factors provide management insights into factors affecting the growth and establishment of plant species and vegetation communities in saline areas.The aim of this study was to assess the spatial variability of various vegetation communities in relation to edaphic factors in the Great Salt Desert,central Iran.Fifteen vegetation communities were identified using the physiognomy-floristic method.Coverage and density of vegetation communities were determined using the transect plot method.Forty soil samples were collected from major horizons of fifteen profiles in vegetation communities,and analyzed in terms of following soil physical and chemical characteristics:soil texture,soluble Na+concentration,sodium adsorption ratio(SAR),electrical conductivity(EC),pH,organic matter content,soluble Mg2+and Ca2+concentrations,carbonate and gypsum contents,and spontaneously-and mechanically-dispersible clay contents.Redundancy analysis was used to investigate the relationships between vegetation dynamic and edaphic factors.The generalized linear method(GLM)was used to find the plant species response curves against edaphic factors.Results showed that plant species responded differently to edaphic factors,in which soluble sodium concentration,EC,SAR,gypsum content and soil texture were identified as the most discriminative edaphic factors.The studied plant species were also found to have different ecological requirements and tolerance to edaphic factors,in which Tamarix aphylla and Halocnemum strobilaceum were identified as the most salt-resistant species in the region.Furthermore,the presence of Artemisia sieberi was highly related to soil sand and gypsum contents.The results implied that exploring the plant species response curves against edaphic factors can assist managers to lay out more appropriate restoration plans in similar arid areas.
基金funded by the Isfahan University of Technology,Iran.
文摘Understanding the factors influencing the distribution of plant species is crucial for enhancing the management of endangered ecosystems. This study investigated the response of Hedysarum criniferum Boiss, an endemic and endangered species to 25 environmental variables within its habitats with an area of 2.95×10^(5) km^(2) in arid and semi-arid rangelands of Iran. The purpose of this research is to identify the key environmental factors affecting the distribution and habitat preferences of H. criniferum for further conservation and restoration of the species. To predict the occurrence of H. criniferum and explore its relationship with environmental factors, we employed the best subset regression analysis, the hierarchical classification, and the extended Huisman-Olf-Fresco(eHOF) model. The results showed that four environmental variables, i.e., gravel content, pH, annual minimum temperature, and mean annual temperature showed significant correlations with the canopy cover of H. criniferum(P<0.05). The probability of H. criniferum occurrence increased with higher precipitation and elevation, while it decreased with higher mean annual temperature, annual minimum temperature, and gravel content. The species' response curves and their optimal values, as assessed by the eHOF model, indicated that the response to mean annual temperature, ranging from 12℃ to 16℃, was optimal at 13℃. The response to mean annual precipitation, within a range of 150–650 mm, was optimal at 650 mm. Elevation responses, spanning from 1546 to 2450 m, showed an optimum at 2450 m. Regarding soil characteristics, the response to gravel content, ranging from 13.0%–48.0%, demonstrated an optimal value at 20.0%. The pH levels, varying from 7.5 to 8.2, prompted a sine-shaped response with an optimal pH of 8.0. These findings provide valuable insights for predicting species occurrence and identifying suitable locations for restoration programs. Our study underscores the importance of considering multiple environmental variables in habitat suitability assessments. By incorporating these broader considerations, we can further refine predictive models and enhance conservation efforts aimed at restoring habitats conducive to the luxuriance of endangered species like H. criniferum.
