The Role of Environmental Factors in Sustainable Management's Strategy of Jashirzaran according to Soil and Topographic factors, Case study: In the North of Fars province

Most species of Umbelliferae have medicinal and industrial values and also are used for forage production and soil conservation in Iran. Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindly from Umbelliferae is the dominant species of Iranian Jashirzar. In local knowledge it is known as the best rangeland plant which aware of its qualitative changes. Jashir is collected by traditional rangeland managers when it is green and toxic for livestock and then dry them to feed livestock. This caused a disturbance on its reproduction and also the degradation of its habitats by ranchers. Therefore, conservation and sustainable use of this species depends on knowledge of environmental factors influencing its natural habitat and also utilization according to the ecological aspects. This study aimed to assess soil and topographic factors using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) on five Jashir habitats (Timargon, Asopas, Khoram Bid, Simakan and Koh Bel) in summer rangeland of northern part of Fars province. Percentages of canopy cover and species frequency in key areas have been recorded and soil sampled in two depths (0-10 cm and 10-50 cm). Data were analysed using CCA in PC-ORDversion 4.17 package. Results showed that the distribution pattern of Jashir was correlated with some edaphical factors such as the amount of N, P and soil texture as well as with some topographic factors including slope and elevation from sea level. Management and sustainable utilization of these habitats are possible under grazing systems compatible with ecological and climatic conditions and considering scientific framework of rangeland management.