Autecology of the most important rangeplants in rangeland ecosystems of Iran

This national research project was conducted to study the function and behavior of some of the most important range plant species and their relation with biotic and abiotic components of their ecosystems. The study produced some basic ecologic information needed to provide programs for reclamation, rehabilitation, and management of rangelands, as well as for plant species conservation. The project includes a vast spectrum of desirable range plant species in the enormous rangeland ecosystems of the country. Some of the ecosystems that form the major habitat of the species include: a) desert rangelands in provinces of Khorasan, Khozestan, Ghom, Markazi, and Esfahan b) steppe rangelands in provinces of Khorasan, Ghom, Kerman, Esfahan, Khoozestan, and Markazi c) semi steppe ranglands in provinces of Azerbayjan-e-gharbi, Ardabil, Zanjan, Kohgylouyeh-va-Boyrahmad, Tehran, Mazanderan, Golestan, Kerman, and Khorasan d) High mountain rangelands in provinces of Mazanderan and Khorasan. In this study, topographic, climatic, and edaphic characteristics of species habitats, and their ecological amplitudes were determined. Other species accompanied with each of the considered desirable species were identified and listed. Using transects and quadrates in rangeland ecosystems, variables such as canopy cover, density, and frequency were measured for each subject species. Climatic data were collected from meteorological stations with nearest distance, closest elevation, and the most similar aspect with the rangeland in which the subject species grow. Then, germinative capacity and regeneration systems of the species were evaluated. Species phenology and the relation with precipitation and tempreture was assessed. Evaluation of root system for the considered species was one of the major items of the study. Grazing resistance and preference values for different grazing animals (particularly sheep and goat) was investigated. This research ended with results that provide plentiful information on ecologic characteristics and function of a considerable number of desirable range plant species. Separate final report were prepared and presented for each of the species. The reports contain detail information for each range plant species.