Presence of opportunistic plant species in Bidzard rangeland of Behbahan using multivariate modeling approach

This study was conducted to identify and analyze the effects of some invasive/undesirable plants on rangeland ecosystems. To analyze the risk of invasive species presence, on livelihood of the local people, a hierarchical analysis method was used. Factors used included 3 main criteria, 8 sub-criteria and 5 options. The main criteria were impact, invasion and growth potential. A linguistic scale was used to weight the criteria and options using the hierarchical analysis process. Questionnaires distributed among rangeland experts to express the degree of importance of the factors for evaluation. To check the accuracy of the criteria, compatibility ratio of each criterion was calculated in Expert Choice software. The results showed that Stipa capensis, Echinops dichrous, Alhaji mannifera, Peganum harmala and Carthamus lanatus had more destructive effects, respectively. The results of this study may be used for the control of invasive plants in rangeland ecosystems.