Endozoochorous seed dispersal by domestic and wild animals inTang e Sayad Protected areas

Seed dispersal by large herbivores (Endozoochory) provides a possible aid for ecological restoration of plant communities. In order to investigate the potential of Endozoochory in domestic (Ovis aries and Capra aegagrus hircus) and wild (Ovis orientalis and Capra aegagrus) herbivores under different managements tacktic, eight sites in Tang e Sayad region of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province were selected (National Park, Protected area and Free grazing). From July to October 2016, dung samples of wild and domesticate herbivores were collected in four stages. Dung samples were stored for 72 hours at 4 °C, and then 250 gr of them were kept on the surface of the each trays in the greenhouse until full germination of the seeds. The results showed that 1732 seeds identified in 54 cultivated trays belonged to 28 species. In August and September, the highest and lowest number of seeds were observed in dung. Transferred species in National Park with 26 species were more than other regions. Wild goats (39.6) compared to wild sheeps (36.9) and domestic (20.1) transferred more seeds. DCA indicated dissimilarity behavior among herbivores, differences in species composition of seeds identified in dung samples of each herbivore and seed composition transferred between management zones. If the management of protected areas is aimed at development of plant communities and the dynamics of rangeland ecosystems, the transfer of plant seeds by domestic and wild livestock should be considered as an important factor in the plant distribution.