Journal of Rangeland Science
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Spring 2018

Ammodendron persicum (Bunge & Boiss.)is a desert shrub specie which grows on some sand dunes and sandy areas of South Khorasan and Sistan-va-Baluchestan provinces in east of Iran. Low distribution and narrow ecological range have put this species under threat. In order to evaluate the possibility of long-term preservation of A. persicum seeds in cryogenic conditions (-196°C), the seeds of species were collected from its natural habitats and three pre-cryopreservation treatments including PVS2, Desiccation, and 30% Glycerol as well as non-treated (Control) were applied before transferring the seeds into Liquid Nitrogen (LN) or at -196°C. The treated seeds were incubated in LN for a period of 1 week. Subsequently, the cryopreserved seeds were removed from the LN and subjected to post-cryopreservation treatment. Seed germination and establishment were evaluated under laboratory, greenhouse and natural conditions. The laboratory results showed that seeds of the A. persicum species can tolerate cryogenic conditions. The effects of the pre-cryopreservation treatments including Desiccation, 30% Glycerol, and PVS2, and non-treated (Control) one on germination of cryopreserved seeds were significantly different. The non-treated (Control) and Desiccation, respectively showed the best effects on the survival rate (51%) and other attributes of the cryopreserved seeds. The results revealed that the cryopreserved seeds were also able to germinate and establish under greenhouse and desert conditions. In this study, the appropriate seeding depth, the seed sowing time and factors affecting the seed germination as well as establishments under natural conditions were evaluated. The results revealed that cryopreservation approach is the most promising method for long-term preservation of the A. persicum seeds. Long-term seed preservation via cryopreservation is an important approach to prevent this species from loss of genetic diversity and risk of extinction

Annual Sainfoin (Onobrychis crista-galli (L.) Lam.) is widely adapted to moderate and cold regions of Iran and naturally grows in pasture and rangelands used for forage in these areas. In order to study the effects of priming on seed germination and seedling growth in O. crista-galli, two factorial experiments were conducted based on a randomized complete design with three replications under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran in 2014-2015. Experimental factors were (A) five conservation methods including medium-term storage (active cold room 4°C for 15 years), long-term storage (basic cold room -18°C for 15 years), regenerated seeds (control) and deteriorated seeds using accelerated ageing techniques )40°C, 98% of RH for 48 and 72h). Levels of factor B were four priming treatments including Control (without priming), two osmopriming (PEG -0.4Mpa and -0.8Mpa), and hydropriming (imbibition with distilled water). Data were collected for germination percent, rate of germination, root length, shoot length, seedling length, vigor index, seedling weight and root/shoot length ratio (R/S). Result of laboratory showed higher mean values of most traits except root length in base store (-18°C). In both experiments, the highest root length was obtained in aged seeds. In greenhouse, higher values of many traits were obtained in osmopriming (PEG -0.4Mpa). In both experiment, higher mean values of many traits were obtained using hydropriming in seeds conserved in both base and active store. In the latter stores, highest root length, seedling length, R/S ratios were obtained by osmopriming (PEG -0.4Mpa and -0.8Mpa). To accelerate aging test, higher mean values of all the traits were obtained by osmopriming (PEG -0.4Mpa). It was concluded that osmopriming could be used as an effective method for the recovery of natural and artificial deteriorated seeds.

Mountain ranges cover around one-half of Iran, and Zagros ecosystem is considered as one of an important biological site in Iran. Physiographic factors such as altitude and aspect have an important role in plant species distribution. This study was conducted in the Nawa mountain ecosystem in the western side of Zagros ranges, located in the western zone of Iran in 2016. The experiment aim was to reveal the influences of altitude and aspect on features of plant biodiversity. Hence in the each main aspect regarding to gradient, transect-lines were established with distance 100 m into another and perpendicular to gradient from the elevation of 1200-2400 m a.s.l. Four plots (1 m²) were randomly located along each transect; generally, 208 plots were drown. The Shannon–Wiener index for α-diversity was calculated, and field data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. There were 158 identified plant species belonging to 104 genus and 27 families based on the results. Altitude and aspect had a significant effect on the plant diversity and species richness (p

Rangelands cover approximately 85% of Kenya’s land mass and is a major resource for livestock farming with a considerable potential to mitigate climate change, yet these lands are stressed differently by various management. Our study aimed at determining the influence of grazing management systems (rotational, continuous and ungrazed) on soil organic carbon stocks in Yoani ranch located in the southern rangelands of Kenya (2016). This research was conducted on a commercial grazing ranch, a section of it was converted from continuous grazing into rotational grazing and has been under rotational grazing for 11 years during the time the research was conducted. Within the same ranch, there was a section with similar geomorphology and soils as the rotationally grazed which was not converted and has been continuously grazed for over 30 years to represent the continuous grazing system. The ungrazed area consists of an abandon section of the ranch for more than 30 years due to a deep gully which was formed by gully erosion creating an isolated area inaccessible by livestock. Soil samples were taken up to a depth of 1.2m, at an interval of 0-10, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm, 30-60 cm, 60-90 cm and 90-120 cm. The difference between soil sampling depths is because the upper layer between 0-30 cm is more dynamic with respect to soil microbial activities which can be influenced by grazing as compared to the deeper depths along the soil profile. The ungrazed site recorded significantly (P

The present study was conducted to identify nutritional value of Rumex obtusifolius in three phenological stages (vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity). Samples were randomly taken in pastures of Saravan in Rasht, Iran in 2015. After drying and grinding, the chemical compositions of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF), Ether Extract (EE), Total Ash (ASH), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) were measured based on standard methods. Gas production (in vitro) and Dry Matter (DM) degradability (in sacco) were determined. Phenological stage effects were studied using a completely randomized design in three replications and data were analyzed using SAS software. In phenological stages of the plant with the progress of maturity, the amounts of CP, ASH, Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE), and Non Fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC) decreased while the CF, NDF, and ADF contents increased. CP had the highest value (23.92%) in the vegetative growth and lowest value (6.11%) in maturity stage. The gas production in 96 hours of vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 37.68, 40.76, and 26.69 ml/0.2g of dry matter. The DM degradability in 96 hours for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 80.25, 70.42, and 40.43%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between gas production method and DM degradability methods were 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97 for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages, respectively. Therefore, the gas production method due to its lower cost was suggested for measuring nutritive value of this plant. The results showed that considering higher or equal protein content of this plant during the vegetative growth and flowering stages as compared to alfalfa, it can be used for ruminant animal diet. Using this wild source is possible to significantly decrease the expenses involved in animal nourishment.

Degradation of plant patches is considered as one of the indices for rangeland degrading health condition. Investigating the accuracy of triple indices (infiltration, stability and soil nutrient cycle) presented by LFA method seems necessary to determine its efficiency in semi-arid areas with the least cost. This study aims to investigate the role of vegetative species and growing forms on soil surface characteristics in Dehbar semi-steppe rangelands, Iran in 2014. So, eleven soil surface characteristics in different vegetative types each of 3 replicates were measured using landscape functional analysis (LFA). Then, the measured parameters were classified based on their sustainability, permeability and food chain continuum for each plant species. According to the results obtained from various analytical investigations, the ecological patches consisting of Artemisia aucheri (46.83%) and complex of Artemisia aucheri and Agropyron intermedium (with the amount of 41.7%) were higher than other forms of vegetative growth for soil sustainability. The complex of Acantholimon sp., Artemisia aucheri and Astragalus commixtus had the lowest amount in terms of soil sustainability (38%). The comparison of soil permeability indices for different types of plant covers showed that the percentage of Artemisia aucheri (32.06%) and complex of Artemisia aucheri and Agropyron intermedium (33.5%) had the highest amount while all other patches were equal and had the lowest amount. In terms of food chain, the ecological patches such as Artemisia aucheri (25.63%) and complex of Artemisia aucheri and Agropyron intermedium (27.66%) had the highest amount. The complex of Artemisia aucheri and Astragalus commixtus (16.36%), the complex of Acantholimon sp., Artemisia aucheri and Astragalus commixtus (13.63%) and the complex of Acantholimon sp. and Agropyron intermedium (15.36%) had the lowest values (p≤0.01). Therefore, Artemisia aucheri (shrub) and a complex of Artemisia aucheri and Agropyron intermedium (grass) patches, introduced as ecological indicators for the study area, are suggested for rangelands restoration.

Persian juniper and Pistachio are grown in low density in the rangelands of North-East of Iran. These rangelands are populated by evergreen conifers, which are widespread and present at low-density and sparse shrub of pistachio in Iran, that are not only environmentally but also genetically essential as seed sources for pistachio improvement in orchards. Rangelands offer excellent opportunities for remote-sensing-based inventories; detection of each shrub using very high-resolution satellite data is typically easier in sparse rangelands where the distance between shrubs exceeds the height of trees. In this study, the densities of juniper and natural pistachio shrubs were estimated using remote sensing to help the sustainable management and production of pistachio in this rangeland. Satellite imagery was acquired in July 2008 by Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). A vegetation index including Total Ratio Vegetation Index (TRVI) was introduced for these rangelands with sparse shrub cover, and the relationship between the new index and shrub density was investigated by the data of ALOS using 3×3 and 5×5 maximum filtering algorithms in the summer of 2011. The results showed that the distinguishing and estimating of tree density in such an open woodland using maximum filtering 3×3 filtering algorithms were more effective than filtering on ALOS satellite imageries.

Rangeland ecosystems provide a wide range of services such as gas regulation function whose economic value has not been understood. The present study aimed to estimate the economic value of CO2 absorption and oxygen generation services using unit price in Sheikh Musa Rangeland, Mazandaran Province, Iran. In the study area, clipping and weight and photosynthesis methods were applied to estimate dry matter production, CO2 absorption, and oxygen production. Also, Shadow price, Replacement cost, and Social cost methods priced the economic value of gas regulation function differently. Finally, their means were compared and their geometric mean was used as the unit price; then, the economic value of the function was estimated in 2016. Results showed that Sheikh Musa Rangeland ecosystem annually produces 2081.4 t dry matters and 2454 t oxygen and absorbs 7294.15 t CO2. Given the estimated price, the value of CO2 absorption function was found to be 7264.6 million IRR and the economic value of oxygen production was calculated as 3,852 million IRR per year. In overall, the economic value of Sheikh Musa ecosystem was estimated as 11117.4 million IRR (318364 US $) per year and 1.06 million IRR per ha. Given the valuation that shows the minimum value of Sheikh Musa ecosystem and high importance of its gas regulation function, it is recommended to conduct further studies on pricing models for Rangeland ecosystems and to apply environmental management practices for the sake of Rangeland and local health.