The most important factors affecting the distribution of wild almond (Prunus scoparia (Spach) C.K.Schneid.) in Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, Iran | ||
| تحقیقات جنگل و صنوبر ایران | ||
| Article 4, Volume 32, Issue 2 - Serial Number 96, September 2024, Pages 132-147 PDF (439.55 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research article | ||
| DOI: 10.22092/ijfpr.2024.364355.2137 | ||
| Authors | ||
| R. Yari* 1; M. Rostampour2; S.M. Mirmiran3 | ||
| 1Corresponding author, Assistant Prof., Khorasan-e-razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Mashhad, Iran | ||
| 2Assistant Prof., Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management and Research Group of Drought and Climate Change, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran | ||
| 3Assistant Prof., Khorasan-e-Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Mashhad, Iran | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background and objectives: The presence of plant species in each region is influenced by the environmental and biological factors of that region. Therefore, to establish the coverage and distribution of plant species and the factors affecting their growth and development, it is necessary to research the ecological requirements of the species and the environmental characteristics of the studied area. This information can be used for planning and implementing basic management plans for the restoration and modification of habitats and the protection of water and soil resources. This research aims to identify the habitat conditions of Prunus scoparia (Spach) C.K.Schneid. Methodology: This research was conducted in Razavi and South Khorasan provinces across six habitats: Qaen, Bajestan, Ferdows, Khaf, Bardaskan, and Sarayan. In each representative area, a site was selected, and three transects of 100 meters were established, each with a distance of 20 meters. Along each transect, 10 plots of four square meters were established (a total of 30 plots in each habitat). In each plot, the percentage of canopy cover, density of a single plant species, litter percentage, and bare soil percentage with pebbles were determined. Additionally, for each habitat, two soil samples were collected from the beginning and end of each transect, resulting in a total of 36 soil samples. The soil texture, electrical conductivity, saturation moisture, pH, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, lime, organic carbon, and organic matter were analyzed using conventional methods. After collecting all the climate, soil, topography, and vegetation data related to the six habitats of wild almond in Khorasan province, the scope of the ecological expansion of the studied species based on the studied factors was first determined. Then, using principal component analysis (PCA), the environmental factors affecting the distribution of wild almond species were identified.Results: The results showed that the Ferdows habitat exhibited the highest percentage of vegetation cover, while Bardaskan had the highest canopy cover percentage, density, and mean height for wild almond. The lowest percentage of vegetation cover, canopy cover, and density of the species was found in Bajestan, and the lowest mean height of the species was recorded in Khaf. Soil physical properties, such as soil texture components including the percentage of clay, sand, slope, and calcium, showed the largest contribution to explaining the variance of axis 1 and are more important than soil chemical properties. In the Bardaskan habitat, calcium and slope had a positive effect on the distribution of wild almond, but the percentage of clay showed a negative effect. Organic carbon is effective in the species distribution in this habitat. Altitude and rainfall are effective in the distribution of wild almond in Qaen. In general, clay, calcium, slope, sand, and maximum temperature play the biggest role in the distribution of the species in all the studied areas. There are many variations in the soil properties of the habitats. The two habitats of Khaf and Bardaskan are similar to each other in terms of soil characteristics, and wild almond is distributed in these habitats with high slopes and a high percentage of sand and calcium. In general, considering all the climatic, soil, and altitude characteristics, wild almond habitats are placed in three clusters. Khaf and Bardaskan habitats were in the first group, Sarayan and Bajestan habitats were in the second group, and Qaen and Ferdows habitats were in the third group.Conclusion: The range of distribution of wild almond in the studied areas was around 1480 to 1700 meters above sea level, generally in southern directions, with slopes ranging from 10% to 66%, and annual rainfall between 130 to 187 mm. The soil texture of the habitats is loamy to sandy-loam, and the soil is non-saline. Among the studied factors, soil calcium, soil texture, slope percentage, and maximum temperature had the most significant effects on the distribution of wild almond in the studied areas. Considering the distribution of this plant in a wide range of environmental conditions, including climate, physiography, and soil, and its positive effect on controlling soil erosion on slopes, it is recommended to cultivate this species in degraded mountainous areas. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Edaphic factors; environmental conditions; Principal Component Analysis; species distribution | ||
| References | ||
|
- Azizi, N., Yari, R. and Mirmiran, S.M., 2022. Investigating the habitat conditions of Prunus chorassanica (Pojark.) A.E.Murray in the natural habitats of the Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 30(3): 277-287 (In Persian with English summary).- Abasi, M., Bagheri, H., Abasi, A. and Zare Chahouki, M., 2021. Astragalus gossypinus habitat suitability assessment with ENFA model in middle Taleghan Rangelands. Journal of Rangeland, 15(3): 434-447 (In Persian with English summary).- Austin, M.P., 2002. Spatial prediction of species distribution: an interface between ecological theory and statistical modelling. Ecological Modelling, 157(2-3): 101-118.- Azarnivand, H. and Zare Chahouki, M.A., 2012. Range Improvement. University of Tehran Press, Tehran, Iran, 354p (In Persian).- Batooli, H., 2020. The use of several species of native plants in the Iranian-Turani vegetation zone for cultivation in the green spaces of hot and dry regions of Iran. Technical instruction, Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 59p (In Persian).- Enright, N., Millere, B.P. and Akter, R., 2005. Desert vegetation and vegetation-environment relationships in Kirthar National Park, Sindh, Pakistan. Journal of Arid Environment, 61: 397-418.- Fayyaz, M., Tavakkoli, H., Tabatabaei, M., Pezhman, H. and Hosseini Bamrod, Gh.R., 2013. The Ecological Regions of Iran (Khorasan). Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 181p (In Persian).- Gheisari, Y., Heshmati, Gh.A. and Niknahad Ghermaker, H., 2022. Investigation of some ecological factors affecting habitat distribution Sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) in rangeland ecosystems (Case study: Kalat rangelands of Gonabad). Journal of Plant Ecosystem Conservation, 10(20): 225-252 (In Persian with English summary).- Ghelichnia, H., Mirdavoodi, H. and Cherati, A., 2023. Ecological factors and response pattern of Astragalus retamocarpus Boissier & Hohen. in Mazandaran Province rangelands. Journal of Rangeland, 17(2): 216-231 (In Persian with English summary).- Goodarzi, Gh.R., Sagheb-Talebi, Kh. and Ahmadloo, F., 2012. The study of effective factors on almond (Amygdalus scoparia Spach.) distribation in Markazi province. Iranian Journal of Forest, 4(3): 209-220 (In Persian with English summary).- Haidarian Aghakhani, M., Tamartash, R., Jafarian, Z., Tarkesh Esfahani, M. and Tatian, M.R., 2017. Forecasts of climate change effects on Amygdalus scoparia potential distribution by using ensemble modeling in Central Zagros. Journal of RS and GIS for Natural Resources, 8(3): 1-14 (In Persian with English summary).- Hajebi, A.H., Mirdavoodi, H.R. and Soltanipoor, M.A., 2022. Investigation of soil characteristics and physiographic factors affecting the establishment of the exclusive species of Platychaete aucheri (Boiss.) Boiss. in Hormozgan Province. Journal of Rangeland, 16(1): 284-298 (In Persian with English summary).
- Jafareiyan, N., Mirzaei, J., Moradi, M. and Heydari, M., 2017. Environmental characteristics and ordination of woody plant species and their relation with environmental factors in Ilam forest. Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology, 24(3): 81-94 (In Persian with English summary).
- Jafari, M. and Rostampour, M., 2019. Soil-Plant Relationships: Ecology, Statistics and Analysis, Vol. 1. University of Tehran Press, Tehran, Iran, 468p (In Persian).
- Javidfar, A., Rouhi-Moghaddam, E. and Ebrahimi, M., 2017. Some ecological conditions of Amygdalus scoparia Spach in Nehbandan, Eastern Iran. Ecopersia, 5(1): 1655-1667.
- Jozi, S.A. and Moradi Majd, N., 2020. Evaluation of ecological capability of Amygdalus scoparia habitat in south Zagros region by using of MCDM method. Environmental Researches, 11(21): 73-84 (In Persian with English summary).
- Karamian, M., Mirzaei, J., Heydari, M., Kooch, Y. and Labelle, E.R., 2023. Seasonal effects of native and non-native woody species on soil chemical and biological properties in semi-arid forests, western Iran. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23: 4474-4490.
- Khajei, N., Etemad, V. and Bazrafshan, J., 2024. Predicting climate change impacts on distribution of Brant's oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl.) in the Zagros forests, Fars Province. Iranian Journal of Forest, 15(4): 393-409 (In Persian with English summary).
- Kharazmi, H., Kalantari, S., Sadeghinia, M. and Ghaneei Bafghi, M.J., 2023. Investigation of environmental factors affecting the distribution of Calligonum bungei species in rangelands of Kerman Province. Journal of Rangeland, 17(2): 285-298 (In Persian with English Summary).- Legendre, P. and Legendre, L., 2012. Numerical Ecology, 3rd Edition. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 990p.- Momeni Damaneh, J., Tajbakhsh, S.M., Ahmadi, J. and Safdari, A.A., 2023. Comparison of species distribution models in determining the habitat landscape of Pistacia vera L. specie in Razavi Khorasan province. Water and Soil Management and Modeling, 3(4): 77-92 (In Persian with English summary).- Moridpour, A., Namiranian, M., Alavi, S.J. and Etemad, V., 2023. Identifying the most important factors affecting the distribution of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and detect potential habitats areas in Kherudkanar Nowshahr forest. Iranian Journal of Forest, 15(1): 69-85 (In Persian with English summary).- Mozaffarian, V., 2005. Trees and Shrubs of Iran. Farhang Moaser, Tehran, Iran, 1082p (In Persian).
- Piri Sahragard, H. and Ajorlo, M., 2016. Predicting the distribution of plant species habitats using maximum entropy model (A case study in rangelands of western Taftan, Southeastern Iran). Soil and Environment, 35(2): 224-234.
- Piri Sahragard, H., Zare Chahouki, M.A., Ajorlo, M. and Nohtani, M., 2017. Predictive habitat distribution modeling of Amygdalus scoparia Spach in Moshakieh rangelands of Qom Province. Journal of Forest and Wood Product, 69(4): 725-734 (In Persian with English Summary).
- Sagheb-Talebi, Kh., Ramezani, M.F., Momeni, T., and Khosrojerdi, A., 2012. Investigating the habitat requirements of some Iranian forest trees (Amygdalus scoparia) in Razavi Khorasan province. Final report of research project, Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 45p (In Persian).- Sharifian Bahraman, A., Sepehry, A. and Barani, H., 2022. Soil physiochemical characteristics of Lycium depressum Stocks. habitat in saline and alkaline rangelands in north of Golestan Province, Iran. Journal of Plant Ecosystem Conservation, 9(19): 47-62 (In Persian with English Summary).
- Shirzadi, I., Yavari, A. and Hadadinejad, M., 2023. Evaluation of morphological diversity of different ecotypes of Amygdalus scoparia Spach: A medicinal plant resistant to hard environmental conditions. Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-products, 12(2): 125-133.
- Tavakoli Neko, H., Pourmeydani, A., Adnani, S.M. and Sagheb-Talebi, Kh., 2011. Impact of some important ecological factors on presence of Mountain Almond (Amygdalus scoparia Spach.) in Qom province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 19(4): 523-542 (In Persian with English summary).
- Thimonier, A., Kull, P., Keller, W., Moser, B. and Wohlgemuth, T., 2011. Ground vegetation monitoring in Swiss forests: comparison of survey methods and implications for trend assessments. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 174: 47-63.
- Wildi, O., 2017. Data Analysis in Vegetation Ecology. CABI, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England, 306p.
- Yilmaz, H., Yilmaz, O.Y. and Akyuz, Y.F., 2017. Determining the factors affecting the distribution of Muscari latifolium, an endemic plant of Turkey, and a mapping species distribution model. Ecology and Evolution, 7(4): 1112-1124.
| ||
|
Statistics Article View: 707 PDF Download: 505 |
||
Journal management system. designed by sinaweb