ECOPERSIA
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Spring 2023

This research aimed to evaluate some phytochemical characteristics of Clematis ispahanica Boiss. in two arid and semi-arid sites.

After studying the climatic conditions in each site, 30plots (6m2) were established randomly– systematically for soil and plant sampling. A total of ten composite soil samples were collected from two depths (0–10 and 10-30 cm), and some of their properties were measured. Three plant samples were obtained and mixed at three Phenological stages in each site, and their secondary metabolites were determined. A comparison of soil properties between the two sites was performed using an independent-sample t-test. Phytochemical comparison of plants between two sites and three Phenological stages was performed using Factorial analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. Correlation between soil properties and phytochemical characteristics was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. 

The results demonstrated that C. ispahanica has higher secondary metabolites (total Phenol, total Flavonoid, and total Alkaloids) in semi–arid climates compared to arid climates. In both sites, the highest content of secondary metabolites was observed at the flowering stage (Phenolic content in Bavanat and Mehriz city’s 184.33 & 115.16 mg GAE.g. DW Ext, Flavonoid content, 32.57 & 28.37 mg QE.g DW Ext, Alkaloids content 12.89 & 5.75 mg Atr.g DW Ext,  respectively). A significant, mostly positive, correlation was observed between the phytochemical characteristics of C. ispahanica and soil pH, EC, and total Nitrogen. 

It was concluded that heavier soil texture, semi-arid climate, and flowering stage are more suitable for C. ispahanica secondary metabolites production.

In this study, the effects of age and cut slope characteristics of forest roads were investigated on the water quality properties of streams in Hyrcanian forest of Darabkola (Mazandaran province).

Twelve points were randomly selected at four stations including road age (15 and 30 years) and cut slope (13, 15, 18 and 20%) and water and soil sampling was performed. Acidity, electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), nitrate, phosphate and ammonium were measured. Comparison of soil properties shows a significant difference at three points on the trench and at each station.

Results showed that the cut slope had a significant effect on all variables of the waterways. Among the studied variables of water quality, although pH and EC showed significant variations considering the utilization and road treatments, as the soil has many daily and temporary variations; definitive decisions cannot be made regarding the impact of utilization and characteristics of forest roads on them.

In conclusion, it can be stated that in the present study, the factors affecting the quality of waterways and the relative impact of anthropogenic and natural factors involved in water quality were determined. So, this study is a good starting point for further research on the details and objectives of forest management in order to preserve this ecosystem.

Ethnobotanical knowledge is widespread and vital among the tribespeople. However, this knowledge is based on experimental findings rather than scientific ones. Apart from this, there is a risk that this ethnobotanical knowledge may disappear and be neglected. One of the endemic plants in Iran is Morina persica L., known in ethno-veterinary and ethnobotany. In this study, the chemical compounds of Morina persica L., an endemic ethnoveterinary plant, were investigated for the first time in Iran using GC/MS.

All M. persica aerial parts were collected during the flowering stage. The extraction of essential oils was performed by a hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger device. Then, the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer device was employed to determine and analyze the essential oil composition. Kovats retention indices (KI=RI) were used to confirm the identification by the mass spectra.

Results showed that the plant has 31 types of compounds constituting 92.7% of the total volatiles identified via GC/MS. The most important compounds are as follows: germacrene d, β-gurjunene, bicyclo germacrene, acetophenone, (2E,6E)-farnesol, δ-cadinene, α-copaene, n-tricosane, α-cardinal, para-methyl-acetophenone, benzyl acetate, and E-caryophyllene.

Some important components of the essential oil were found germacrene d, bicyclo germacrene, acetophenone, and benzyl acetate. Germacrene d and bicyclo germacrene are used in industrial production and transformation. Acetophenone, α-cardinal, and especially benzyl acetate are also utilized in the pharmaceutical industry, perfumery, and the industry for producing plastics, rubber, cellulose acetate, nitrate, varnishes, glaciers, and printing inks. Based on the evidence, this plant can be recommended for medicinal purposes (human and livestock), the chemical and flavoring industries, and the perfume industry.

Tourism can significantly contribute to protecting and developing the environment and national parks as essential sites. Ecotourism, one sustainable tourism form, is based on natural attractions. This study aims to identify and prioritize appropriate ecotourism sites in Sarigol National Park and Protected Area.

To this end, some criteria, including landform, climate, wildlife habitats, vegetation type and density, and soil of the area, were investigated. Elevation, slope, aspect, precitipation, sunny days in month, soil erosion, soil depth, vegetation type, vegetation density, animal type were assessed as sub-criteria, too. The potential ecological map was drawn using the Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy-AHP) based on the criteria and sub-criteria. Also, its regional attractiveness map was identified by field investigation with Global Positioning System (GPS) and weighting via a questionnaire and Geographic Information System (GIS), then was compared with the potential ecological map. Finally, appropriate and potential tourism and ecotourism sites were identified.

The results indicated that northern parts of the area, Izi Waterfall, and some parts of the National Park enjoy capabilities of ecotourism development; these sites enjoy both ecological capabilities and attractions to attract tourists.

Identifying ecotourism sites in the present study contributes to better management, tourism development, and protection of the study area.

Plant functional groups are categories of species that exhibit similar responses to environmental parameters. The current research was carried out to evaluate factors that describe the distribution of plant functional groups in mountainous rangelands of Chaharbagh, Golestan.

Three transects of 300 meters were considered in the representative area of each plant type. Along each transect, 10 plots were considered in dimensions of 2 x 2 meters. The names of species, the percentage of vegetation, and the number of species were determined. Six soil samples were collected for each plant type. The biological form of each plant species was determined. Plants were classified based on edibility, vegetative form, biological form, and life span. To evaluate the relationship between environmental factors and plant functional groups, Redundancy Detrended Analysis (RDA) was applied.

The results showed that the occurrence of phanerophytes was affected by electrical conductivity and lime. With an increase in potassium, the frequency of camophytes increased. Palatability values of the first class were affected by direction, saturated moisture content, and organic carbon. Values of tree-type growth were affected by electrical conductivity and lime. Forb vegetation increased in correlation with clay percentage. Grass and pseudo-grass vegetative forms were affected by direction factors, soil saturated moisture content, and organic carbon.

Overall, a precise study of differences in plant functional groups can be an important approach for monitoring changes in rangeland under management strategies which require further attention in future research.

Assessing tree crown traits are the important character in forest which can be considered for the management of silvicultural practices. The main purpose of this study was to investigate tree crown traits and carbon storage as well as to determine the interactions among them for Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) in an unmanaged and temperate forest in Hyrcanain region, northern Iran.

Data were collected from 90 one-stemmed and healthy beech trees in unlogged forest in Hyrcanian forest and crown dimensions were measured.

The study revealed significant difference between crown tree traits as well as carbon storage in terms of height and DBH classes. Correlation analysis indicated that some tree traits correlated significantly with the crown productivity, crown length, crown width and crown ratio for beech trees (P< 0.05, P< 0.01). There was a strong positive correlation between the carbon storage and most beech tree traits in research site (p < 0.01).

In general, the main tree crown size disparities and significant interactions among features of beech trees in unlogged forest suggest the ability of these trees to modify the morphological traits within stand. It is essential to consider these variables of beech trees in the future forest management in Hyrcanian temperate region.

The objective of this study was to compare growth parameters and phenol content of different safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars and one wild species of safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha) under urea fertilizer and vermicompost treatments, to distinguish can we use vermicompost instead of urea fertilizer.

The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. A factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications was used. Experimental treatments were three vermicompost rate; three levels of nitrogen fertilizer; and three types of safflower.

The number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass weights significantly increased with vermicompost application. Urea fertilizer only increased the plant height. The interaction between plant cultivars and vermicompost was significant for phenol content. All growth parameters of safflower except dry biomass weight were significantly different between cultivars.

Wild safflower responded more than other cultivars to treatments so it can be used in plant breeding programs. Vermicompost treatment act better than urea fertilizer for growing of safflower, so it can be used instead of chemical fertilizer.