@article{ author = {Mohamadi, A. and Matinkhah, S. H. and Khajeddin, S. J.}, title = {A Phenological Study on Zygophyllum atriplicoides in Mouteh, Isfahan Province}, abstract ={Phenology refers to the study of natural cyclic events in the life of plants and animals. Phenophasis variations are the most sensitive responses to the climate changes. Knowledge of phenology is also important for rehabilitation and nursery management. In this study, phenology of Zygophyllum atriplicoides was observed in Mouteh area, Isfahan province. At first, 20 shrubs were randomly selected and then vital phenological events, such as bud developing, leaf emerging, flowering, fruiting, leaf shedding, seed formation, seed scattering and plant latent state were recorded monthly during a year. Then, pictorial time series of the plant was developed. The percentage of the three color channels (red - green - blue) (RGB) were extracted in every picture and for every part of the plant, such as leaves, stems and fruits. Next, they were separately analyzed. The phenological records revealed that the plant buds start to grow from late March until September. Moreover, flowering occurs in April, and peak fruiting follows in May. Seeds appear in June and scatter in July. There is a clear correlation between notable phenophasis of the plant and climatic factors such as rainfall and temperature.}, Keywords = {Quantification, Phenology, Zygophyllum atriplicoides, Color channels (RGB), Isfahan province.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {1-12}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-588-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-588-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Jafari, F. and Bashari, H. and Jafari, R.}, title = {Evaluating Structural and Functional Characteristics of Various Ecological Patches in Different Range Conditions (Case Study: Semi -Steppe Rangeland of Aghche-Isfahan)}, abstract ={Rangeland condition assessment plays an important role in determining range health and applying appropriate management programs. This study aimed to evaluate the structure and function of a semi-steppe rangeland using Landscape Function Analysis technique (LFA) in different land conditions in western Isfahan province, Iran. For this purpose, 4, 3 and 7 sites in different rangeland condition classes including very poor, poor, and moderate were selected respectively. In each site, a 30-meter transect was established and all kinds of patches and inter patches were identified and their lengths and widths were recorded. Also, in each ecological patch, 11 indicators of soil surface characteristics with three replications were measured, and their status was scored according to LFA method. The functionality indices of all the sites including soil stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling were measured. According to the statistical analysis results, most of the structural characteristics (number of patches, patch length, patch area index, landscape organization index) and functional indices (infiltration, stability and nutrient cycling status) varied significantly (α= 5%) between rangeland sites with moderate and very poor condition. The changes of these structural and functional characteristics were not significant between range sites with moderate and poor, and also poor and very poor range conditions. According to the findings of this study, patch types' functionalities did not vary significantly in both rangeland sites with moderate and very poor conditions. The nutrient cycling index in patches formed by ‘forb, shrub and grass’ with poor range condition was significantly more than ‘forb’ and ‘grass’ patches. The study of range site functionality can assist managers in identifying possible ecological thresholds and prioritizing the sub-catchments and vegetation types for implementing range improvement practices.}, Keywords = {Function, Semi-Steppe, Landscape function analysis, Condition, Life form.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {13-25}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-589-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-589-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Jabbari, S. and Khajeddin, S. J. and Jafari, R. and Soltani, S.}, title = {Investigation of the Pasture Vegetation Changes Using Satellite Data in Semirom, Isfahan}, abstract ={The objective of the present study was to investigate the pasture vegetation changes using satellite data in Semirom, Isfahan province. This study was conducted in 2004 as a wet year and 2009 as a dry year. The WiFS and AWiFS satellite images were acquired and used for the year 2004 and 2009, respectively. First, the vegetation percentage was simultaneously measured in the two years. Then, considering the environmental factors such as elevation, slope, and slope direction, climatic factors and vegetation indices were derived from the above satellite data and multiple regression equations were prepared using step-wise regression analysis. The intended regression model for each year was used to produce percentage of vegetation cover of the study area. For a suitable pasture vegetation map interpretation, the reclassification technique was used to separate the rangeland use from other land uses, and then the density slicing method was applied. Using suitable thresholds, the rangeland vegetation cover classes including 0-20, 20-30 and 30-40 percent canopy covers were determined. Results showed that the changes in vegetation classes were related to each other and by increasing the area of one class the other one decreased. It was found that the 30-40% and 20-30% classes changed most, and the maximum increase was observed in the 0-20% vegetation cover class due to the area degradation in the other two classes.}, Keywords = {Percentage vegetation cover, Satellite data, Semirom, WiFS, AWiFS.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {27-39}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-590-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-590-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Khazaee, M. and Hamidian, A. H. and Alizadeh, A. and Ashrafi, S. and Mirjalili, A. A and Esmaeelzadeh, E. and Zare, M.}, title = {Investigation of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Different Tissues of Persian Jird as Bioindicator Species in Darreh Zereshk, Yazd}, abstract ={In this study, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Sr and Mg in hair, lung and femur tissues of Persian Jird as bioindicator species in different regions of Darreh Zereshk copper mine were investigated. In summer of 2012, a systematic random sampling was performed by using snap trap in different parts of the copper mine. Wet digestion method and ICP-OES instrument were applied for measurement of metal concentrations in different tissues. The concentrationS of Cd and Pb were reported below the detection limit of instrument. Results indicated that Ni and Cu in hair tissue and Mg and Sr in femur tissue of Persian Jird accumulate significantly more than in other tissues (PSr>Cr>Cu>Ni in different tissues. Generally, the female of Persian Jirds accumulate more heavy metals than males. The concentration of Cu in hair tissue of the first three regions and the concentration of Ni, Sr and Cr in the fourth region showed a significant difference compared with other regions.}, Keywords = {Persian jird, Heavy metals, Copper mine, Tissue, Bioindicator species.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {41-52}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-591-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-591-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Abbasi, N. and Soltani, S. and Jafari, R.}, title = {Rangeland and Forest Fire Risk Mapping Using KBDI Drought Index (Case Study: Isfahan Province)}, abstract ={Drought is one of the main and significant factors that increase the potential risk of fire in forests and rangelands. This study was conducted to assess the potential of a soil-moisture index called Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for mapping fire risk in the forests and rangelands of Isfahan province using daily climate data in 2006- 2010 period. KBDI is a drought/fire index that ranges from 0 to 800, with 0 being no moisture deficiency and low fire risk and 800 being the maximum possible moisture deficiency and high fire risk. Results showed that western parts of the province and Semirom weather station in the south of Isfahan had the minimum risk of fire. According to the climatic classification, the humidity of these regions was higher and mainly included semi-humid and semi-arid classes. Because of high density of vegetation cover in these parts of Isfahan, the potential risk of fire can be higher in drought conditions. In the Khansar, Semirom, Fereydoonshahr and Daran stations, the lowest KBDI values were observed. Overall, the results indicated that KBDI was not a suitable fire risk mapping technique in arid and semi-arid environments of Isfahan, but it can be recommended for the grasslands of semi-arid and semi- humid climate regions.}, Keywords = {Fire risk mapping, Keetch- Byram, Drought, Climatic classification, Isfahan province.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {53-63}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-592-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-592-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Kazemi, M. and Mirhashemi, S. M. and HassanzadehAval, F. and Bannayan, M.}, title = {Ecological Intensification by Increasing Radiation Use Efficiency in a Low Input Agro-Ecosystem of Fenugreek}, abstract ={In ecological or sustainable intensification, increasing the agricultural productivity and enhancing ecosystem services is possible through improving resource and input-use efficiency. In order to estimate the radiation use efficiency and radiation interception of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) under different treatments of animal manure, a completely randomized block design with three replications and four treatments was conducted on the research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Treatments at four levels including 15, 20, 25 and 30 tons of animal manure per hectare were designed. The results showed that the growing season of Fenugreek was coincident with absorbed radiation by canopy, so the time to reach the maximum leaf area index was in accordance with the time to reach the maximum incident radiation by canopy of Fenugreek. The lowest leaf area index (0.22) and radiation use efficiency (1.42 g Mj-1) was obtained with the application of 15 ton ha-1 animal manure and highest leaf area index (0.30). And radiation use efficiency (1.74 g Mj-1) was obtained with the application of 25 ton ha-1 animal manure. The results also indicated that increasing the animal manure enhanced leaf area index and consequently radiation use efficiency, but this advantage was seen only up to a certain level of animal manure application (25 ton ha-1). Thus, sustainable intensification is attainable in a low input agro-ecosystem by improving radiation use efficiency as an appropriate indicator and without any application of additive manure.}, Keywords = {Animal manure, Leaf area index, Light absorption, Radiation.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {65-75}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-593-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-593-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} } @article{ author = {Bai, M. and Sadoddin, A. and SalmanMahini, A.}, title = {Uncertainty Analysis in Predicting Ecological Impacts of Management Scenarios in the Chehl-Chai Watershed, Gorganrood River Basin}, abstract ={Implementing watershed management without considering all aspects may lead to instability, exacerbating unfavorable conditions. Adopting an integrated management approach is necessary for any watershed system. An important consideration in decision making and planning process is to quantify ecological impacts of management using landscape ecology framework. In this regard, uncertainty quantification is of great significance. This paper presents the concept of uncertainty and also the implication of uncertainty analysis for landscape ecology structure indices and also for weights assigned to the indices in a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique in the Chehel-Chai Watershed. This watershed with an area of 256 km2 is located in the east of Golestan Province and in the upstream of the Gorganrood River Basin. The watershed is one of the most affected areas due to the land use change in the north of Iran. That is why it was chosen as the study the area. Based on the analysis, the highest and lowest uncertainty levels were identified for Edge Density (ED) and Riparian Proportion Index (RPI), respectively. In addition, the uncertainty analysis suggests that the weight assigned to Weighted Land Cover Area Index (WLCAI) has the highest uncertainty while the weight assigned to ED shows the lowest uncertainty. It is necessary to identify and quantify uncertainty so that more accurate and applicable inferences from research findings can be drawn.}, Keywords = {Uncertainty analysis, Landscape structure, Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), The Chehel-Chai Watershed.}, volume = {3}, Number = {10}, pages = {77-89}, publisher = {}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-594-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-594-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2015} }