Showing 10 results for karimi
S Karimi, H Varasteh Moradi, Hr Rezaei,
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2012)
Abstract
Investigation of the ecological characteristics of wildlife species and determination of habitat suitability for them is one of the main pillars for wildlife management and protection. In this study, the winter and spring habitat suitability of black woodpecker (Dryocopusmartius) was studied in ShastKalateh forest. Habitat characteristics, including forest vegetationtype, structural characteristics of vegetation and topographic parameters together with presence and absence of woodpeckers were recorded within each of 103 sampling plots with a radius of 25 m. The Results of binary logistic regression showed that forest vegetation type, the number of snags, fallen dead trees and trees with height more than 20 m together with habitat elevation (a.s.l.) were the most important parameters affecting the presence of black woodpecker in spring. Moreover, forest vegetation type, the number of snags, trees with height more than 20 m and trees with dbh more than 20 cm together with the elevation (a.s.l.) and slope of habitat were the most important parameters affecting the presence of black woodpecker in winter. The results indicated that this bird species prefers old forest habitats composed with tall and thick trees specially beech trees. Due to high dependency of species such as black woodpecker on the old and undisturbed forest habitats, controlling severe exploitation of such habitats is therefore essential for the conservation of such bird species.
A. Koocheki, M. Nassiri Mahallati, F. Hassanzadeh Aval, H. Mansoori, S. R. Amiri, H. Zarghani, M. Karimian,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (12-2013)
Abstract
Preservation and increase of biodiversity is one of the main components to achieve sustainability in agricultural systems. In this study, biodiversity evaluation indexes were used to evaluate and compare agrobiodiversity of vegetable crop systems among all provinces of Iran. In this study the biodiversity evaluation indexes included Shannon-Wiener, Simpson and Evenness. In order to compare the alpha and beta biodiversity in different regions of Iran, the country was divided to 5 different weather and geographic regions, then alpha and beta biodiversity were calculated by species – area relationship according to these areas. The results showed nearly 31 vegetable species are cultivated in Iran that the highest planted area after that tomato, potato and onion was related to aubergine with 6.07% of the total vegetable lands of Iran. The whole of vegetable lands area was 495412 ha that the Fars province with 8.83% of the total vegetable lands of the country, was the first and it was the major producer of 9 species of vegetables. The highest vegetable species richness was related to Esfahan and Mazandaran (29 species) and the lowest was for Chaharmahal bakhtiari (5 species). The Shannon index for these species in total vegetable lands (H) was 0.628 besides this index in highest level has been discovered in Yazd (2.70) and the Shannon index for these species of the total arable lands of the country ( ) was 0.210 besides this index in highest level had been discovered in Hormozgan (1.01). The highest (0.459) and lowest (0) of alpha biodiversity was calculated in north and south regions, respectively. In the other hand, the highest (1.41) and lowest (0.375) beta biodiversity was related to south and north regions, respectively.
Z. Pasandidehfard, A. Salman Mahini, S. H. Mirkarimi, , M. Akbari, M. Gholamalifard,
Volume 2, Issue 6 (3-2014)
Abstract
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a major surface water contaminant commonly caused by agricultural runoff. The purpose of this study was to assess seasonal variation in water quality parameters in Gorganrood watershed (Golestan Province, Iran). It also tried to clarify the effects of agricultural practices and NPS pollution on them. Water quality parameters including potassium, sodium, pH, water flow rate, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), hardness, sulfate, bicarbonate, chlorine, magnesium, and calcium ions during 1966-2010 were evaluated using multivariate statistical techniques. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was implemented to determine the significance of differences between mean seasonal values. Discriminant analysis (DA) was also carried out to identify correlations between seasons and the water quality parameters. Parameters of water quality index were measured through principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA). Based on the results of statistical tests, climate (freezing, weathering and rainfall) and human activities such as agriculture had crucial effects on water quality. The most important parameters in differentiation between seasons in descending order were potassium, pH, carbonic acid, calcium, and magnesium. According to load factor analysis, chlorine, calcium, and potassium were the most important parameters in spring and summer, indicating the application of fertilizers (especially potassium chloride fertilizer) and existence of NPS pollution during these seasons. In the next stage, the months during which crops had excessive water requirements were detected using CROPWAT software. Almost all water requirements of the area’s major crops, i.e. cotton, rice, soya, wheat, and oat, happen in the late spring until mid/late summer. According to our findings, agricultural practices had a great impact on water pollution. Results of analysis with CROPWAT software also confirmed this conclusion.
Z. Pasandidehfard, A. Salman Mahini, S. H. Mirkarimi, M. Akbari , M. Gholamalifard,
Volume 3, Issue 8 (9-2014)
Abstract
The most important pollutants that cause water pollution are nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff called Non-Point Source Pollution (NPS). To solve this problem, management practices known as BMPs or Best Management Practices are applied. One of the common methods for Non-Point Source Pollution prediction is modeling. By modeling, efficiency of many practices can be tested before application. In this study, land use changes were studied from the years 1984 till 2010 that showed an increase in agricultural lands from 516908.52 to 630737.19 ha and expansion of cities from 5237.87 to 15487.59 ha and roads from 9666.07 to 11430.24 ha. Using L-THIA model (from nonpoint source pollution models) for both land use categories, the amount of pollutant and the volume of runoff were calculated that showed high growth. Then, the seventh sub-basin was recognized as a critical zone in terms of pollution among the sub-basins. In the end, land use change was considered as a BMP using Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) based on which a more suitable land use map was produced. After producing the new land use map, L-THIA model was run again and the result of the model was compared to the actual land use to show the effect of this BMP. Runoff volume decreased from 367.5 to 308.6 M3/ha and nitrogen in runoff was reduced from 3.26 to 1.58 mg/L and water BOD from 3.61 to 2.13 mg/L. Other pollutants also showed high reduction. In the end, land use change is confirmed as an effective BMP for Non-Point Source Pollution reduction.
M. Masoodi, A. R. Salman Mahiny, M. Mohammadzadeh, S. H. Mirkarimi,
Volume 4, Issue 12 (9-2015)
Abstract
Today, ecotourism is a major tourist activity around the world. Ecotourism is one of the strategies for supporting conservation and ensuring income in the protected areas. When implemented within the capabilities of natural systems evaluated based on natural and socio-economic factors, ecotourism can simultaneously lead to regional prosperity and environmental protection. The goal of research is determination of natural potential, recreational opportunity, and effective factors in their choice in natural areas. The area is located south of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces. We used questionnaires and field survey for collecting public opinions. Results indicated the high tendency of visitors for bird watching, swimming, nature photography and filming and boating among all the suggested recreational activities. Also, the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for assessment of the relationships between age, sex and visitor groups and recreational activities. We found significant relationships between the groups in many of recreational activities such as research, resting and photography and filming of nature. The results of this study showed this area lacked sufficient facilities for visitors, therefore planning, preparation and implementation of comprehensive tourism infrastructure are essential to attract more ecotourists that can also reduce negative effects of recreational activities on the environment.
R. Zolfaghari, Kh. Karimi Haji Pomagh, S. M. Zamani, P. Fayyaz,
Volume 4, Issue 13 (12-2015)
Abstract
Analysis of performance and survival rate of different oak species in severe climate of Zagros forests especially under global warming can help with management, conservation and restoration of these species. So, seeds of three oak species of Zagros (Quercus branti, Q. infectoria and Q. libani) were collected from Baneh forests and sown in the common gardens of Yasuj. Then, their growth parameters such as collar diameter, height, trunk volume, height and collar increment, number of leaf and survival rate were measured and recorded during the growing season (June and October) for the first two years. Also, in order to find a relationship between these traits and leaf morphological and qualitative traits of seedlings, some parameters like leaf area, specific leaf area, number of sprout and branch, bending of seedlings were measured and recorded. Results showed that at early growth age, seedlings of Q. branti and Q. infectoria had the largest and smallest size, respectively. Also, Q. libani seedlings showed a lower survival rate in the second year than other studied species due to the larger seeds. Results of correlation showed that seedlings with larger leaf area, higher number of branch and less straightness had higher growth and survival rate. It can be concluded that Q. infectoria is more susceptive to the increasing period and intensity of drought than other oaks of Zagros species.
M. Heydari, H. Karimikia, A. A. Jafarzadeh, M. Naderi,
Volume 5, Issue 17 (12-2016)
Abstract
The key factor in understanding the forest ecosystems is forest structure. Spatial arrangement and location of trees are both one of the main components of forest stand structure. This study was carried out in Manesht protected area, Ilam province. In order to determine the ecological groups and spatial patterns of indicator species, we used fixed-area plots method. For data collection, 125 square sampling plots with an area of 400 m2 were selected based on a systematically random method. The plants were classified using TWINSPAN analysis and then spatial pattern was analyzed by indices of ratio of average to variance, Morisata and standardized Morisata. Four ecological groups were specified and all dispersion indices showed clumped pattern for indicator species of the ecological groups. The results of this study could provide useful information to describe the sustainability of this valuable ecosystem and monitoring protective and rehabilitative practices.
S. Karimi, M.r. Hemami, M. Tarkesh Esfahani, Ch. Baltzinger,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the largest carnivore species in Iran which can be found in large parts of the Alborz and the Zagros mountain ranges but reaches remarkable densities in northern forest, ranging from Golestan National Park to western Gilan. We investigated the potential of brown bear for endozoochory in Golestan National Park through greenhouse experiment. In order to detect temporal and spatial variability of emerged seedlings, abundance, species richness and composition of germinated seeds from faecal samples collected in different habitats and across seasons were analyzed. A total of 268 seedlings belonging to 33 plant taxa, 25 genera and 19 families germinated from 64 brown bear faecal samples. Based on the obtained results we show seasonal variability in the numbers (p=0.003) and composition (p=0.001) of the dispersed seeds, which can be attributed to plant species phenology. There were no significant differences for seed abundance and composition between the two types of habitats. Similarly, seed species richness did not significantly differ among seasons and habitats. Herbaceous growth form (24 taxa) represented the highest species richness in the germinated plants, while shrub plants were the most abundant germinated species (76% of the total germinated seeds). Fleshy fruits are the principal source of energy during the hyperphagia phase prior to hibernation. In contrast, seeds from dry fruits were observed in lower densities in the faeces, especially during spring and early summer. This result is in line with opportunistic feeding behavior of the brown bear.
Considering that co-occurring ungulates in Golestan National Park rather disperse annual species, we highlight the role of brown bear in specifically dispersing shrub and tree species.
M. Karimian, O. Beyraghdar Kashkooli, R. Modares, S. Pourmanafi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2023)
Abstract
Chlorophyll-a concentration is among the most important parameters used to investigate the primary production in marine ecosystems. Chlorophyll-a concentration is influenced by climatic/environmental factors, including Sea Surface Temperature (SST). Satellite sensors are able to provide reliable products of chlorophyll-a concentration and SST data with an adequate spatiotemporal resolution. In this study, level 3 (resolution 4 km) MODIS monthly products of chlorophyll-a concentration and SST from year 2003 to 2018 of the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea were used. The data were transformed into a raster format and the values of each pixel were extracted. Several gaps were observed in MODIS products of chlorophyll-a concentration. The Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF) algorithm was used to reconstruct these gaps. Pearson correlation procedure was applied to analyze the correlation between chlorophyll-a concentration and SST. Results showed that during the study period, the correlation between the two parameters was negative (-0.44 to -0.67) and significant in the most part of the study area. The correlation coefficients in December were negative (-0.67 to -0.05) and significant in the Oman Sea and the most areas of the Persian Gulf, while in July those relationships were mostly positive (0.13 to 0.64) and significant.
F. Rafiee, A. Karimi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
The natural environment provides ecosystem goods and services, and humans benefit from these goods and ecosystem services by being and living around them. The existence of these ecosystem services guarantees a good and healthy life for humans. Understanding of these benefits by people is very important. Therefore, in this research, an attempt has been made to evaluate the relationship between demographic factors and the understanding of ecosystem services by local people in the southern parts of Mashhad city. In this research, the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test was used to investigate the significant difference between gender, age, education, income, and occupation groups and the understanding of ecosystem services. The results obtained from this statistical test showed that age has the greatest effect on eight ecosystem services, and gender has the least effect on the understanding of ecosystem services. The results of this research can help urban authorities pursue participatory urban planning and management processes that incorporate people’s interests and concerns..
