Investigation of Ecological Characteristics and Forage Quality of Clematis ispahanica in Fars and Yazd Provinces

Clematis ispahanica is a rare, palatable, and endangered species of Iran. In this research, the distribution of this species was investigated in rangelands of Bavanat and Mehriz cities in Fars and Yazd provinces. For vegetation sampling, the study areas were classified and 30 plots (2 × 3 m) were established using random- systematic sampling method in key areas. Soil samples were taken at the depth of 0-30 cm (based on the depth of rooting). Independent t-test was used to compare soil chemical properties of the two regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the most effective factors affecting soil properties of the two regions.The effect of phenological stage, area, and interaction between phenological stage and area on forage quality indices (CP, DMD, ME and ADF) was determined using a General Linear Model (GLM). The interaction of area × phenological stage on forage quality was investigated using a completely randomized design. The results demonstrated that the best spatial distribution pattern of this species was the northern slopes and relatively flat topography. Our results revealed that this species was found in non-saline soil (EC<2), sandy loam, loamy sand and sandy textures with a pH of 8.6-8.9, %0.4-%0.7 organic carbon, %0.09-% 0.13 nitrogen, 13.9-22.1 ppm phosphorus, %42-%59 calcium carbonate, and 2-2.45 mg/lit potassium. The results of PCA indicated that soil organic carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC), and acidity (pH) were the most effective components of the soil in two study areas. The results demonstrated that in the growth and flowering stages, forage quality indices of this species in Bavanat area were significantly higher than those of Mehriz area, but in the seeding stage, the study indices in Mehriz area was higher as compared with Bavanat area. No significant correlation was found between soil chemical properties and forage quality indices. Thus, it can be concluded that the effect of climate on forage quality indices is higher than edaphic factors. In general, it can be stated that the high forage quality of C. isphanica can be one of the reasons putting this species at risk of extinction.