Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Effects of Harvest Intensities on Tragacanth Gum Production and Health of Astragalus Verus
1
13
FA
H.
Azadrooh
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Azadrooh@ymail.com
N
M.
Farzam
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
mjankju@um.ac.ir
Y
M.
Mesdaghi
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
mmesdagh@yahoo.com
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.4535
In recent decades, tragacanth gum extraction from Astragalus verus has dramatically increased across Iranian rangelands. However, little information is available about the best method of gum harvest, which is economically efficient and maintains the health of the plant. This research was conducted as a factorial combination and in a completely randomized design, during spring and summer of 2018-2019, at Baraghban rangeland. Three levels of stem cuts (i.e. 1, 2, and 3 cuts on the main stem of each plant) and four frequencies of gum removals (1 to 4 times) with 10 replications were applied on 120 individual plants. Results indicated that all cut and gum removal levels significantly reduced the vigor of A. verus, but no significant relationship was detected between gum removal levels and plant vigor. There was an increase in the gum yield by increasing the number of gum harvests, but no increase was found by increasing cut numbers. Based on the ecological and economic comparisons (estimating costs and benefits), we suggest one cut and four times of gum removal as the most suitable method.
Plant cuts, Medicinal plant, Harvest frequency, Tragacanth gum
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-969-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-969-en.pdf
Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Assessment and Spatial Planning of Landscape Ecological Connectivity for Biodiversity Management (Case Study: Qazvin Province)
15
29
FA
A.
Darvishi
Shahid Beheshti University
asefdarvishi1980@gmail.com
N
N.
Mobarghaee Dinan
Shahid Beheshti University
n_mobarghei@yahoo.com
Y
Sh.
Barghjelveh
Shahid Beheshti University
s_barghjelveh@sbu.ac.ir
N
M.
Yousefi
Shahid Beheshti University
yousefi.myb@gmail.com
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.4182
Habitat and ecosystem fragmentation and, consequently, the loss of landscape connectivity are major causes of biodiversity destruction, leading to disruption of material, energy, and information flow at the landscape scale. Given the importance of this issue, the current study aimed to evaluate the ecological connectivity and spatial planning of Qazvin Province, in order to re-establish and protect material, energy, and information flow corridors, using a landscape ecology approach. With that in mind, land use/land cover map was used to identify ecologically functional areas and to map barrier effect and ecological connectivity indicies by mathematical modeling techniques using model builder algorithms in Geographic Information System (GIS). Appropriate patches were, then, spatially selected for restoration and conservation across the landscape. The results showed that 90% of the province has the ecological function, but 10% of the area lacks the function. Three percent of the area has lost its ecological function by physical barriers such as road networks and industrial and residential expantions, and 7% of the area lost its functionality due to anthropogenic effects. In this research, four corridors were identified for spatial planning. Results of this study can be used for management of protected areas and land use planning, as well as environmental impact assessment and envuronmental strategic assessment.
Ecology, Landscape, Biodiversity, Matter-Energy and Information Flow, Qazvin Province
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-975-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-975-en.pdf
Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Identifying suitable habitats for brown bear (Ursus arctos) in northern Zagros forests
31
43
FA
A.
lotfi
Isfahan University of Technology
lotfi@cc.iut.ac.ir
Y
Y.
Moradi
Isfahan University of Technology
yasermoradi1372@gmail.com
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.3341
Wildlife is an important biological indicator of viability of ecosystems, therefore, understanding habitat requirements of species is essential for biodiversity conservation. Determining the suitability of habitats for wildlife is important for effective management and conservation of species. The brown bear (Ursus arctos), as the largest carnivorous mammal in Iran, is distributed in most forest and mountain ecosystems and has a high conservation value. In the current study, brown bear habitat suitability modelling, in Kurdistan Province, was performed using maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). After collecting the presence data and environmental variables, and examining the correlation between the variables, the obtained data were entered into the MaxEnt model. Results showed that temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, topography and vegetation are the most important variables in predicting habitat suitability of the brown bear in Kurdistan province. From the total area of Kurdistan Province, 1, 5 and 11 % were respectively accounted for habitats of high, moderate and low suitability, and 83% of the area was clssifed as unsuitable habitats. Based on the results, Chehel Cheshmeh, Shaho and Kosalan protected areas are suitable habitats for the brown bear. Zagros forests are considered as one of the main habitats of brown bear in Iran, consequently, the conservation of these habitats is essential to protect populations of this valuable carnivorous species.
Modeling, Maximum Entropy, Habitat Suitability Map, Kurdistan Province, Brown Bear
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-971-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-971-en.pdf
Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Ecological Assessment of Organic Pollution in the Gorgan Bay, Using Palmer Algal Index
45
59
FA
P.
Maleki
GonbadeKavous university
p.maleki1368@gmail.com
N
R.
Patimar
GonbadeKavous university
rpatimar@gmail.com
Y
H.
Jafariyan
GonbadeKavous university
hojat.jafaryan@gmail.com
N
A.
Salman mahiny
Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
rassoulmahiny@gmail.com
N
R.
Ghorbani
Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
rasulghorbani@gmail.com
N
M.
Gholizadeh
GonbadeKavous university
gholizade_mohammad@yahoo.com
N
M.
Harsij
GonbadeKavous university
m_harsij80@yahoo.com
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.12111
The problem of pollution in the Caspian sea has attracted increasing scientific concerns in recent years, but still, there is limited data relevant to the Gorgan bay. The current study aimed to evaluate the organic pollution of the Gorgan Bay, using Palmer Algal Index. Sampling was conducted seasonally in triplicate from summer 2017 to spring 2018. Phytoplankton samples were collected from surface water (maximum depth of 50cm), using a one-liter sampling bottle and fixed in 2.5% formaldehyde buffer solution. A total of 23 stations were selected including, seven stations in the eastern areas, eight stations in the centre, and eight stations in the western part of the bay. The Palmer Index indicated that all parts of the bay are highly polluted, in the four seasons. Comparison of the index among the three parts of the bay indicated that the central areas are more polluted than other areas in the three seasons, from summer to winter, while only in the spring, the western area of the bay showed the highest value of the index. The predominance of the pollution resistant Phyto-genera such as Oscillatoria, Euglena, Cyclotella, Navicula, Nitzschia, and Synedra supports the classification of the bay as eutrophic. Generally, the results of the algal index revealed that the water quality of the bay has reached a critical level.
Phytoplankton, Palmer Index, Gorgan Bay, Organic Pollution
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-985-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-985-en.pdf
Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Ecopark Site Selection in the Central Cities of Ardabil Province, Using Multi-Criteria Analysis Models
61
79
FA
S.
Asghari saraskanroud
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
s.asghari@uma.ac.ir
Y
M.
Faal naziri
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
mehdifn1373@gmail.com
N
E.
Pirouzi
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
piroozielnaz@gmail.com
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.12341
Today, due to industrial advances and the expansion of urban environments, it is essential to create ecoparks as places that can provide natural environments for human. The current study performed a comparative ecopark site selection across Ardabil, Meshkinshahr, Sarein, Nir and Namin, using multi-criteria analysis models. To achieve the research objective, four criteria and 15 sub-criteria were identified, as effective factors on ecopark site selection in the region. The analytic network process (ANP) was used to weigh the factors and ordered weighted average (OWA) was employed, as a multi-criteria decision making method, to analyse the final model. Results of the weighting approach showed that distance from rivers accounted for the highest weight coefficient. To select suitable places for ecopark, the study area was classified into four groups of high to low land suitability, including 130815 hectares of high and 167213 hectares of moderate suitability. Lands with high suitablity were mainly located in forests, fair rangelands and orchards. In addition, suitable areas were mostly located near one of the large and permanent rivers of the province. Based on the results, southern parts of Meshkinshahr and the north of Sabalan Mountain were selected as the most suitable areas for ecopark, due to the existence of various natural and human attractions and having a pristine environment.
Site selection, Ecopark, Multi-criteria analysis, Object-oriented classification, Ardabil province
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-976-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-976-en.pdf
Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology
2476-3128
2476-3217
9
1
2020
5
1
Evaluation and Prioritization of Criteria Affecting the Selection of Landscape Species, Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Systems
81
96
FA
R.
Khosravi
Shiraz University
r-khosravi@shirazu.ac.ir
Y
M. R.
Hemami
Isfahan University of Technology
mrhemami@cc.iut.ac.ir
N
10.47176/ijae.9.1.831
It is impractical to implement conservation efforts for all species due to complexity of natural systems, large scale of biodiversity issues, and budget limitations. Prioritizing species of conservation importance can alleviate this issue. Multiple interrelated criteria may be used for conservation prioritization of species. Therefore, the accurate evaluation of criteria is a multi-criteria decision-making problem. In the current paper, which is a complementary study to our previous work on identifying landscape species in central Iran, we aimed to provide more details about the integrated DEMATEL Analytical Network Process (DANP) for evaluating the criteria used for the process of selecting landscape species. The impact-relation map implied that home range size had the greatest effect on other criteria and the feasibility of monitoring received the most impact from other criteria. Also, conflict with human, vulnerability to climate change, and extent of occurrence have the highest priorities for selecting landscape species. Based on our findings, multi-criteria decision making systems effectively evaluate the interrelationships between the criteria affecting the selection process of species and rank the criteria according to their impacts. This framework can be used as a guideline for prioritizing species to increase the efficiency of site-based conservation efforts.
Multi-criteria decision-making, Analytic network process (ANP), Carnivores, Landscape species, DANP, DEMATEL
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-973-en.html
http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-973-en.pdf