@article{ author = {Attarroshan, S. and Heydari, M.}, title = {Evaluation of understory plant species diversity in relation to n some environmental factors in Imamzadeh Abdollah Baghmalek forests}, abstract ={This study aimed to investigate plant species diversity in the ecological species group in relation to the environmental factors. A study area of 216 ha in the southeast of Baghmalek on which seventy 20×20 m plots were established according to the random-systematic method was selected. Soil properties and physiographic factors were recorded at each plot. Herbaceous species composition was recorded using four 1×1 m subplots around the center of the main plot. A cluster analysis and a CCA analysis were undertaken and three ecological groups were identified. The results showed that pH, Nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon and clay percentage were the most important factors of the first group, and the indicator species were, Agropyrom trichophorum, Hordeum bulbosum, Aegilops triuncialis. The second group with  Bromus tectorum, Salvia macrosiphon, Bromus danthonia as indicator species could be correlated with clay, organic carbon, Potassium, Phosphorous, Nitrogen, values. Lastly, the third group, characterized by Artemisia aucheri, Astragalus gossypinus, Phlomis persica, Artemisia haussknechtii as the indicator species, could be correlated with the elevation percentage of sand, Bulk Density and EC. We also found that species diversity varied significantly among the groups, and it was the highest in the first group and the lowest in the third group. The results could, therefore, contribute to better evaluation of species diversity and management of the biodiversity.}, Keywords = {plant species diversity, ordination, richness, Khuzestan}, volume = {7}, Number = {2}, pages = {1-15}, publisher = {}, doi = {10.29252/ijae.7.2.1}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-823-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-823-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2018} } @article{ author = {daneshmandparsa, R. and Mirzaee, R. and Bihamta, N.}, title = {Land cover change detection of Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari province using landscape metrics (1994-2015)}, abstract ={Due to the importance of accessibility to updated and timely information regarding land cover changes, it is necessary for researchers and managers to assess such provincial level changes to help the planning process and prevent the damages caused in various regions. To this end, the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province land cover changes from 2015-1994 were developed in six main classes using the hybrid method. Then land cover changes were determined by applying “after-classification comparison” and “landscape metric”. Therefore, MPS, LPI, NP and PLAND metrics were calculated at the class level, and SHDI, LPI, CONTAG SPILIT INDEX metrics were calculated to quantify the landscape patterns at the landscape level. Finally, for each land use type, the destruction rates and the human destruction index were calculated separately. The results indicated a sharp decline of %36.67 in pastures and 6.42% in the forests areas, as well as an increase 39.32% in the barren lands. In such a manner, the landscape is more fragmented, disordered (or unsystematic) and discontinuous plus it has become more diverse for the studied time period coverage. So, if the current trend continues, the a sharp decrease in the ecosystem services and functions is likely to occur.}, Keywords = {Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari province, landscape patterns, remote sensing, metrics, hybrid}, volume = {7}, Number = {2}, pages = {17-28}, publisher = {}, doi = {10.29252/ijae.7.2.17}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-782-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-782-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2018} } @article{ author = {karimi, S. and Hemami, M.R. and TarkeshEsfahani, M. and Baltzinger, Ch.}, title = {The Role of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) in the Plant Seed Dispersal of Golestan National Park}, 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.}, Keywords = {Endozoochory, Mammalian omnivores, Growth form, Seed abundance and species richness, temporal and spatial variability}, volume = {7}, Number = {2}, pages = {29-42}, publisher = {}, doi = {10.29252/ijae.7.2.29}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-870-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-870-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2018} } @article{ author = {Panahandeh, M. and Yavari, A.R. and Salehi, E.}, title = {Application of Habitat Suitability and Resistance Surfaces in the Assessment of Habitat Change}, abstract ={Habitats have dramatically destructed worldwide.However a growing trend is emerging for restoring habitatats. One of the most effective approach to revitalize them is to restore the conditions that have lost. Studies indicate high probability of local extinction of Maral (Cervus elaphus maral) in the current habitats of Gilan due to severe habitat destruction. The current study aimed to introduce application of habitat suitability and resistances surfaces, connectivity paths and corridors for analyzing and monitoring changes in habitats as the starting point of their reconstruction. Based on the results, 35% reduction of suitable habitats, 34% increase in the number of patches, 89% in edge density, and 53% reduction in the average size of patches indicate that  occurrence of habitat loss and fragmentation, severely disrupted the integrity of Maral habitats. Increasing cost-weight distance to the Euclidean distance and land cover change of paths and corridors indicate increasing of habitat resistance and reduction of landscape permeability. Results have given a clear picture of the changes in habitat suitability and connectivity of Maral that can play an effective role in restoration process.}, Keywords = {Functional Connectivity, Corridor, Monitoring, Restoring, Habitat,Maral,Lisar Protected Area}, volume = {7}, Number = {2}, pages = {43-54}, publisher = {}, doi = {10.29252/ijae.7.2.43}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-737-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-737-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2018} } @article{ author = {Motamedi, J. and SheidaiKarkaj, E.}, title = {Species Diversity of Ecological Sites of Mountain Rangelands of Cher in Urmia with Emphasis on Numerical and Parametric Indices}, abstract ={Numerical indices of diversity, in their entirety, do not provide a complete description of distribution and richness of species. Therefore, parametric indices should be also considered in studying of plant communities. In this regard, the indices of species richness, evenness and diversity related to the ecological sites of Cher mountainous rangelands of Urmia were calculated. The diversity profiles and rank-abundance species curves related to each of the sites were plotted and finally species diversity distribution models were fitted to each of data set using the Goodness-of-fit test and then best model was selected. There was no significant difference in terms of numerical indices among sites, but each of the indicators showed one of the sites be more diverse and made it difficult to distinguish the ecological site with high diversity. The difficulty of interpreting results considering the curves of diversity profile and rank abundance-species was also observable and the pattern of species distribution could not be understood. Therefore, surveying diversity using speciesabundance distribution models and fitting the data with current species distribution models was carried out. The results indicated that Log-normal model can be fitted to all the types with moderate grazing intensity (sites far from resting points). based on the results considering to the proper grazing intensity could conserve the plant diversity.}, Keywords = {Species diversity, livestock grazing, abundance distribution models, rangelands of Cher}, volume = {7}, Number = {2}, pages = {55-65}, publisher = {}, doi = {10.29252/ijae.7.2.55}, url = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-897-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-897-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology}, issn = {2476-3128}, eissn = {2476-3217}, year = {2018} }