Journal of Rangeland Science
Volume:6 Issue: 3, Summer 2016

Rangeland rehabilitation and optimum exploitation are the first scientific and technical efforts with various programs in range management plans (RMPs) in Iranian range management sector. The range management plans have important roles in the natural resources conservation and improvement. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of accomplishment of range management plans on vegetation cover of Mazandaran’s summer ranges over the past 22 years. First, twenty range management plans were randomly selected from 320 implemented ones in Manzandaran province, Iran. In order to collect the required data, field study was conducted to evaluate canopy cover percent, available forage, range conditions and trend before and after the implementation of range management plans. The data were analyzed and compared using parametric (t-paired) and non-parametric (Wilcoxon) tests. The results showed that the RMPs have increased the available forage production up to 14.7% (P

Runoff leads to the leaching of soil nutrients, transports the topsoil particles and deposits the sediments in water reservoirs. Recognition of different environmental factors affecting the runoff properties and water infiltration depth has a great importance concerning soil for the integrated management of watershed and the distinguishment of complex hydrological processes. Thus, this research aims to determine the environmental factors related to the infiltration depth (ID) and runoff properties including runoff coefficient (RC), time to runoff (TR) and time to stop runoff (TSR) after stopping rainfall using a rainfall simulator. Three catchments involving Shahrchy, Zanjanrood and Glinak were selected based on the rain intensity in 30 minute duration with a 10 year return period in northwestern rangelands of Iran in 2013. The rainfall simulator was established in the rangeland units of each district to operate regarding 30 mm/h rainfall intensity for 30 minutes. Afterwards, data collection with respect to the environmental factors including vegetation (canopy cover and four species diversity indices), topography (slope, height and direction) and soil factors (from 0-30 cm horizons) was fulfilled. Data analysis (71 samples) was done using Pearson correlation and multivariate stepwise regression method. The validity of regression models (18% gathering data equivalent to 15 samples) was tested by R2 and other statistic indices. Results indicated that 77% variations of RC variable were accounted for canopy cover, sand content, organic carbon, clay content and nitrogen content of soil. Such factors as soil moisture, sand content level, lime content level, species number and Shannon diversity indices explained 73% variations of runoff after rainfall. Similarly, clay content, organic carbon and gypsum content of soil explained 82% variations of time to stop runoff )TSR( and such parameters as slope, latitude, organic carbon and silt content of soil explained 60% variations of infiltration depth )ID.

The introduction of nanoparticles into seed germination and seedling growth of plants might have a significant impact and thus, it can be used for agricultural applications for better growth and yield. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of silica and silver nanoparticles on seed germination and early growth traits as well as percent and rate of germination, root length, shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight and seed vigor index of Thymus kotschyanus. Experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with four replications in winter 2014. Seed sources were from Sabalan rangelands, Ardabil province, Iran. Treatments were control (distilled water) and silica and silvernanoparticles with the concentration of 20 and 60%. Thirty seeds were sown in each Petri dish. Seed germination began from the fourth day after sowing and they were counted every day until germination was stopped. Seed germination was controlled for 14 days. The statistical analyses were conducted using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Duncan test was performed to examine the differences between the treatments. Results showed that the germination of T. kotschyanus was strongly affected by nano-silver treatments in comparison with nano-silica and control treatments. Overall, higher values of seed germination traits were observed in nano-silver (20%). Moreover, increasing silica nanoparticle concentration had enhanced the seed germination. In contrast, the increase of silver nanoparticle concentration had decreased the germination traits.

In most southern provinces of Iran, Soil Salinity is a growing problem particularly in the irrigated agricultural areas and has been found to reduce crop yields. In order to investigate the role of pod removal in seed germination, seedling growth and antioxidant enzymes activity in annual medics (Medicago scutella L.) under salinity stress conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Shiraz University in 2014 based on the completely randomized design with four replications. The factors included: 1) the presence or removal of seed pod, and 2) salinity stress at five levels involving controls 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m-1. The results showed that salinity stress has caused the changes of germination, seedling growth and antioxidant enzymes activity. By increasing salinity stress levels, a significant reduction was observed in speed and percentage of germination as well as rootlet length, shoot length and seedling weight. However, the increased levels of salinity stress caused the increased antioxidant enzymes activity. Germination and seedling growth in seeds with no pod were more than seeds with pod, but about enzyme's activity, no significant difference was observed among seeds with and without pod, except for ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity that was significantly more in seeds without pod as compared to the seeds with pod.

Nepeta species are widely used as medicine plants because of their anti-spasmodic, diuretic, anti-septic, anti asthmatic anti spasmodic, and tonic effects. Nepeta species also have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activities. Germination and seedling growth are two important stages of the plant development and plant survival. Soil texture is one of the environmental factors, which affects the germination mechanism. In order to evaluate the effects of seed source and soil texture on the germination of N. asterotricha as a medicinal plant, an experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized block design with four replications in 2014. The studied factors included different sources of seed collection (Sanij, Dehbala, Dareshir, Tezerjan) and three types of soil texture (Sand, Sandy loam and Silty clay). Results indicated that N. asterotricha germination was affected by the origin of seed source (altitude, direction, and slope). Seeds collected from Sanij and Tezerjan had the highest and lowest germination percent, respectively. Among different soil textures, soils with sand and sandy loam texture had the best performance. Results showed significant effects of seed sources and soil texture interaction affects the seed germination percent and germination rate (p≤0.01). Seed sources had different responses to soil textures indicating that seed collected from different areas may be compatible with specific soil texture. In general, the light soil textures had better effects on seed germination traits of N. asterotricha.

The study of plant under environmental conditions leads to an appreciation of their physical and chemical requirements for growth and reproduction. It contributes to increase the knowledge of where the plants grow. This study was conducted to determine the main autecological characteristics of Salvia hydrangea L. which is an endemic plant distributed in Mazanadarn province, Iran. The habitats of this species (altitude of 1100, 1700 and 2000m) were identified (2014) and then, the climatic and edaphic characteristics of habitats were determined. Surveys of the plant in the habitats were done along the transect (100m) within quadrant (4m2) with a systematically randomized method during major phenological stages of the plant. Phenological stages and some plant characteristics such as density, canopy cover, plant height and root system were studied. Results showed that in lower altitudes, vegetative growth starts in the middle of February and follows the flowering at the end of May whereas in higher altitudes, the plant starts vegetative growth in the early March and reaches fully flowered at the end of June. The mean annual rainfall and temperature of the habitats ranged from 383–540 mm and 21–24°C, respectively. Results showed that the plant density and canopy cover decreased slowly with increasing altitude while reaching the minimum value in the altitude of 2000m. The root depth of plant in the loamy sand soils was deeper than the clay loamy soils. Density and other measured vegetal factors ofplant decreased with decreasing the nutrient content of soil. Loamy sand and clay loamy soils of the habitat had pH near neutral and EC varying from 0.43 to 0.90 dS m-1. It was concluded that the plant generally prefers the climate conditions with high temperature and high rainfall. In lower altitudes with more soil nutrients, there are more optimal conditions for the domestication and harvesting of S. hydrangea L. as a medicinal plant.

Floodwater spreading for the artificial recharge of groundwater (ARG) is a logical alternative to build large dams for water resources management in dry environments so that it not only enhances water security, but also reclaims the degraded land due to the settlement of suspended load on the spreaders. However, translocation of very fine clay minerals existing in floodwater decreases the infiltration capacity of sedimentation basins (SB) and recharge ponds which eventually terminate their useful life. Although root channels facilitate infiltration and particularly percolation, crust formation substantially decreases the infiltration rate. As the role of a sowbug (Hemilepistus shirazi Schuttz) in enhancing the infiltrability has been previously reported, its absence had to be assessed too. Thus, the main objective of this research was to monitor the infiltration rate (IR) changes in the research plots devoid of the sowbug burrows in 3 SBs out of 6 ones in the Bisheh Zard1 ARG system in Gareh Bygone Plain (GBP) located in the southeast of Fars province applying the double ring method at constant hydraulic head during a 15 year operation. Each of those SBs was divided into three equal sections. One raised part in each section which had not been covered by floodwater was selected as the control. Results indicated that infiltrability after 15 years had decreased from 10.33 cm/h to 2.16, 2.49 and 7.47 cm/h in the first, second and third SBs, respectively. The largest decrease in infiltrability occurred in the upstream SB and the lowest one in the downstream SB. The volume of floodwater received by each SB and therefore, the volume of the settled suspended load depend on its location, the flow rate and duration of flooding. The ARG systems in the GBP are still functioning satisfactorily since 1983.

One of the most important micro engineers of the terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the arid areas is the harvester ants due to their activity in the soil through nest building; they can make major changes while influencing the surface and subsurface in the rangeland soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of harvester ants (Messor spp.) on some soil properties in Roodshoor Steppe rangeland in Saveh, Iran. Soil samples in four depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm) were taken in three treatments of active and non-active nests and control area. Soil infiltration test was carried out over ant's nest and control site in dry and wet seasons by double rings method. The results showed that the Messor spp. soils had lower pH and higher concentration of organic matter, total carbon, N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Ec and sand percent in comparison with the control site. The soil infiltration rate regarding the nests was significantly higher than the control area in both dry and wet seasons. In the same habitat, nutrient concentrations did not change along the vertical gradient in contrast to control plots where soil nutrients decreased with depth. This showed homogeneity of different soil layers by ants. On the other hand, investigating the chemical and physical properties of soil did not show a significant difference between the dead nests and the control area. This can be the expression of effects created as the result of the presence of ants in modifying soil in the active nests. These effects disappeared with the passage of time after they left their nests. Therefore, the role of the ants in changing soil properties should be considered, especially in the arid and semi-arid area in which the soil is poor. The presence of ant colonies and their activity in this climate can improve soil conditions and increase soil fertility in most parts of the ground.

Natural resources play a fundamental role in the economy of country and create the situation to achieve the goals of sustainable society, these valuable resources have to be conserved and used with care. Destroying the forests and rangelands will lead to a dark future full of poverty, starvation and environmental pollution. Forests and rangelands play a considerable role in reducing air pollution, minimizing soil erosion, protect against destructive floods, creating a pleasant place of recreation and relaxation while also allowing recharge of underground water resources. In short, ensure the preservation of resources essential for life on the earth. This is Part 3 of a comprehensive review of the impact of dust particles and aerosols. Part 1 (Squires, 2016a) examined the mechanisms by which dust particles and aerosols become airborne and the effect of particle size on deposition patterns. Part 2 (Squires, 2016b) focussed on the impact of particulates on the physiology, and productivity of plants. In this paper, attention is directed to the impact on human health of dust and aerosols generated from dust storms and from industrial sites (mines, factories and from roadside dust generated by passing vehicles). Effects of such dust range from nuisance (that arises from loss of visibility) to increased costs of clean-up of premises, through to serious health problems generated by inhalation of dust particles and aerosols.

The book written by seventeen experts in the field of rangeland management, this compilation of essays brings to light the latent issues concerning this subject to readers all over the globe. Though technical approaches can address some issues, social processes ultimately prevent the balancing of these matters. Socio-economic and political institutions are often a stumbling block for improving rangeland management. Human intervention (such as burning and grazing) have been used as rehabilitation efforts to address reverse land degradation problems. It is also hoped that these methods will bring about ecological restoration for more than 30 percent of the world’s land mass and provide living conditions for 1 billion people across every inhabited continent. Multiple-use has become an important factor in the last few decades, especially when discussing global climate change. The extensive bibliography provided will give researchers, members of academia and policy makers contemplative subject matter; they may access multi-lingual literature that give insight into the issues concerning rangeland situations.
The book has some useful information such as:Part 1 Rangeland Ecology: The Underpinnings
1. Sustainable Rangeland Management: An Ecological and Economic Imperative
(V. R. Squires, Visiting Professor in Rangeland Ecology and Management, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou. China)
2. On the Failure to Control Overgrazing and Land Degradation in China’s Pastoral Lands: Implications for Policy and for the Research Agenda
(V.R. Squires and Hua Limin, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou China)
3. Small Holders, the Key to Successful Implementation of Integrated Ecosystem Management: A Case Study from North West China's Pastoral Zone
(Hua Limin and V.R. Squires, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China)
Part 2 Rangeland Management in Practice

Prof. Nosrat Safaeian from Sari, Australia received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Stewardship from the Iranian Society for Range Management at the 5th National Conference held in Boroujerd, Lorestan, Iran. He was born in Khorramabad and graduated in Ecology and Range Management from Montpellier, Science and Technique University, French in 1979. I am honoured to introduce Prof. Nosrat Safaeian as an Outstanding Achievement Award for your journal. Dr Safaeian from University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural resources, Sari received the best lecturer award from the University of Mazandaran. He has had a proactive career including Head of Department of Natural resources in University of Mazandaran for more than 20 years. He was an academic member of Education and Research Council of Faculty for several years. Dr Safaeian has taught several subjects in different universities in Mazandaran and Tehran for over 30 years. He also was supervisor and co-supervisor to several Master and PhD students. He was a founding member of the Iranian Society for Range Management. After being retired from university, Nosrat has worked as a founder of Rangeland National Society, Desert Improvement Network Society and Environmental Evaluation Society in Iran. He also was the member of Journal of Agricultural Sciences in University of Tehran and International Journal of Environmental Studies during 2000-2010. Dr Safaeian has published about 26 research papers in ISI and national journals, many books about ecology and environment and several symposium proceedings. He has made significant contributions through research, teaching, published books and consulting to enhance our universities, rangelands and environmental organizations in Iran. Dr Safaeian is the great honoured editor of the Society for Range Management and is going to be a candidate for 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award for Stewardship by Dr Nasser Abdi from Australia.