Identification of Common Medicinal-Industrial Plants in Desert Rangelands and Examination of Local Community Awareness (Case Study: Khaf County, Khorasan Razavi Province)

Medicinal and industrial plants are valuable sources of Iran's natural resources, which can play an important role in the health of the society, employment and increase in exports if they are scientifically recognized and properly exploited. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the medicinal-industrial potential of the rangelands of Khaf County. The main method in this research was based on searching for information in a direct way and collecting data in the form of a local stockholder from Khaf rangelands. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula. In this way, 45 questionnaires were designed. In order to investigate the correlation between social components and the level of awareness and educational programs, it was investigated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The awareness of the users regarding the medicinal and industrial plants of the rangeland is high (47.8%) The level of interest of stockholders to participate in training programs was moderate (30.4%) to high (63.0%). The species identified in the rangelands of Khaf city belong to 21 families, and the most species belong to the Lamiaceae family (19.15%). In general, 47 plant species were identified in the study area. Among these species, Ferula ovina Boiss., Peganum harmala L., Ziziphora persica Bunge., Cuminum cyminum L., Thymus vulgaris L., Mentha pulegium L., Pistacia atlantica Desf subsp. (cabulica (Stocks) Rech.f., Lavandula angustifolia Mill. and Rheum ribes L. are the most widely used in Khaf rangeland among stockholders. In order to manage and generate income from medicinal and industrial plants in the Khaf desert rangelands, it is recommended that decision-making institutions provide the necessary support and cooperation with local communities to develop the habitats of key species and provide basic infrastructure for income generation and sustainable exploitation.