Ecological investigation of changes in rangeland condition and its relationship to poisonous plants

Subject Areas : forest

Kourosh Khalatbari ¹ , Mohammad hasan Jouri ² , Hamid reza Mehrabi ³

1 - دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد مرتعداری |دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد بروجرد، بروجرد، ایران
2 - استادیار، گروه منابع طبیعی| دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد نور، نور، ایران
3 - استادیار، گروه منابع طبیعی| دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد بروجرد، بروجرد، ایران

Received: 2013-02-19 Accepted : 2014-05-06 Published : 2014-08-23

Keywords: Javaherdeh, Exclosure, Rangeland condition, Ramsar, Poisonous species, animal grazing,

Abstract :

Severe variations of exploitation structure in rangeland are caused to shakeup of plants vegetation in which invasion of poisonous plants in bare areas is a symbol of this deviation. Inkling of the rangeland condition’s values is brought about accurate decision to exploitation management in the rangeland. In order to investigating of this diversity processes, rangelands of Javaherdeh (Ramsar) under three treatments, include long term exclosure (30 years), short term exclosure (7 years), and grazing area, were selected. Collecting of species was done by patrolling in the sites and recognition of plants was also done by reliable references. Some plots are laid fortuitously down in order to determine the rangeland trend and condition which are settled by Trend Balance and six-factor methods. With a view to determine the utilision rate of poisonous plants by animal, Bit-count method was employed. Results showed that there are 133 species from 19 families and 56 genera in the study area. There are also 39 toxic plants in good (long-term exclosure), fair (7 years exclosure), and poor conditions (grazing area). 46 species are used by animal that 15 species of them were venomous plants. The study of rangeland condition trends, therefore, is shown that because of overgrazing or long term grazing, invader species, include unpalatable and toxic plants, occupy the land where palatable-endemic species depopulate it. Some poisonous species, however, exist in their own ecologic niches that occupy the bare land when there is not any palatable species.

References:

1-Aliha, M., 1995. Introduction of toxic plants of rangelands in Iran. First edition, Publication of Rangelands and Forests institute. 35p.

2-Armién, A.G., C.H. Tokarnia, P. V. Peixoto, J.D. Barbosa & K. Frese, 2011. Clinical and morphologic changes in ewes and fetuses poisoned by Ipomoea carnea subspecies fistulosa. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 23(2): 221-232.

3-Arzani, H., 2009. Forage quality and livestock daily requirement, University of Tehran publication, 345p.

4-Askarizadeh, D., Gh. A. Heshmati & M. Mahdavi, 2009. Studying of diet selection of sheep in upland rangelands of northern Alborz. Iranian Journal of Rangeland, 3(1): 413-427.

5-Askarizadeh, D. & Gh. A. Heshmati, 2011. The effects of some weather conditions on diet selection of goats and sheep. Iranian Journal of Rangeland, 5(1):57-68.

6-Cork, S. 2009. Resilience of ecosystems and social-ecological systems. Pages 63-66 in S. Cork, editor. Brighter prospects: enhancing the resilience of Australia: technical report. Australia 21 Organising Group, Weston, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

7-Cronin, E.  H., P.  Ogden, J. A.  Young & W. Laycock, 1975. The Ecological Niches of Poisonous Plants in Range Communities. Journal of Range Management, 31(5):328-334. 

8-Daubenmire, R., 1959. A Canopy-coverage method of vegetational analysis. Northwest Science, 33: 43-64.

9-Duncan, C.A., J.J. Jachetta, M.L. Brown, V.F. Carrithers, J.K. Clark, J.M. Ditomaso, R. G. Lym, K.C. McDaniel, M.J. Renz & P.M. Rice, 2004. Assessing the Economic, Environmental, and Societal Losses from Invasive Plants on Rangeland and Wildlands. Weed Technology, 18, Invasive Weed Symposium, 1411-1416.

10-Gardner, D.R. & J.A. Pfister. 2000. Late season toxic alkaloid concentrations in tall larkspur (Delphinium  spp.).  J. Range Manage., 53: 331-336.

11-Ghahraman, A., 1879-1998. Coloured flora of Iran. Publication of Research institute of Rangelands and Forests.

12-Gratani, M., J. R. A. Butler, F. Royee, P. Valentine, D. Burrows, W. I. Canendo & A. S. Anderson, 2011. Is validation of indigenous ecological knowledge a disrespectful process? A case study of traditional fishing poisons and invasive fish management from the Wet Tropics, Australia. Ecology and Society 16(3): 25.

13-Holechek, J.L. & D. Galt, 2004. A New Approach to Grazing Management: Using Multi-Herd/Variable Stocking. Rangelands, 26(3):15-18.

14-Jouri, M. H., 1999. An investigation of socio-economic of early grazing in upland rangeland of west Mazandaran. Ms. Thesis of TMU. 86p.

15-Jouri, M. H., B. Tomzad, M. Shokri & B. Banihashemi, 2008. Comparing of diversity and richness indices to evaluating of rangeland health in mountain. Iranian Journal of Rangeland, 2(4):344-356.

16-Jouri, M.H., 2010. Ecological investigation of upland grassland (Alborz) in two phytogeographical regions of Irano-Touranian and Euro-Siberian, Pune University, India. 956p.

17-Jouri, M. H., & M. Mahdavi, 2011. Applied identification of rangeland plants. Aeig press. Ketabiran publication. 434p.

18-Jouri, M. H., D. N. Patil & R. S. Gavali, 2011. Bioclimatic study in upland rangeland ecosystems of northern Alborz using clustering methods. Iranian Journal of Rangeland, 5(1): 10-18.

19-Launchbaugh, K.L., F.D. Provenza & J.A. Pfister, 2001. Herbivore response to anti-quality factors in forages, J. Range Manage, 54: 431-440.

20-Laufenberg, S.M., R.L. Sheley, J.S. Jacobs & J. Borkowski, 2005. Herbicide effects on density and biomass of russian knapweed (acroptilon repens) and associated plant species. Weed Technology, 19(1): 62-72.

21-Litten, S. & A. Ou, 2010. Poisonous Rangeland Plants in San Luis Obispo County. California Polytechnic State University, SLO. 47p.

22-Mesdaghi, M., 2004. Range and Range Management. Publication of Astane Ghodse Razavi, 333p.

23-Negi, G.C.S., H.C. Rikhari, J. Ram & S. P. Singh, 1993. Foraging Niche Characteristics of Horses, Sheep and Goats in an Alpine Meadow of the Indian Central Himalaya, J. Appl. Ecol., 30(3):383-394.

24-Ngwa, A.T., Pone, D.K., Mafeni, & J.M. 2000. Feed selection and dietary preferences of forage by small ruminants grazing natural pastures in the Sahalian zone of Cameroon. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 88:253-266

25-Panter, K.E., R.F.  Keeler, L.F.  James & T.D. Bunch, 1992.  Impact of plant toxins on fetal and neonatal development:  a review.  J.  Range  Manage., 45:52-62.

26-Panter, K.E., L.F.  James, D.R.  Gardner, M.H.  Ralphs, J.A.  Pfister, B.L. Stegelmeier & S.T. Lee. 2002.  Influence of management strategies on reproductive losses to poisonous plants. J.  Range  Manage., 55:301-308.

27-Papachristou, T.G., Dziba, L.E., and Provenza, F.D. 2005. Botanical composition determination of range herbivore diets: a review. J. Small Rumin Res. 59: 141-156.

28-Pfister, J.A., C.D. Cheney & F.D. Provenza, 1992. Behavioral Toxicology of Livestock Ingesting Plant Toxins. Journal of Range Management, 45(1): 30-36.

29-Pfister, J.A., G.D.  Manners, D.R.  Gardner & M.H.  Ralphs, 1994.  Toxic alkaloid levels in tall larkspur (Dephinium  barbeyi)  in western  Colorado.  J.  Range Manage., 47: 355-358.

30-Pfister, J.A., M. H.  Ralphs, G.D. Manners, D.R.  Gardner, K.W Price & L.F. James, 1997. Early season grazing by cattle of tall larkspur (Delphinium spp.)  Infested rangeland.  J.  Range Manage., 50(4): 391-398.

31-Pfister, J. A., F.D.  Provenza, K.E.  Panter, B.L.  Stegelmeier & K.L. launchbaugh, 2002. Risk management to reduce livestock losses from toxic plants. J.  Range Manage., 55: 291-300.

32-Ralphs, M.H., 2002. Ecological  relationships  between  poisonous  plants  and rangeland condition: A  Review,  J.  Range  Manage. 55: 285-290.

33-Ralphs, M.H., M.M. Kothmann & Ch.A. Taylor, 1990. Vegetation Response to Increased Stocking Rates in Short-Duration Grazing. Journal of Range Management, 43(2):104-108.

34-Rechinger , K , H., 1963 – 2001; Flora Iranica. Vols: 1 – 171.Graz – Austria.

35-Samsam Shariat, H. & F. Moatar, 1992. Toxic and Poisonous Plants, their signs and treatment. Esteghlal Press.

36-Sanon, H.O., C. Kabor´e-Zoungrana & I. Ledin, 2007. Behaviors of goats, sheep and cattle and their selection of browse species on natural pasture in a Sahelian area. Small Ruminant Research, 67: 64-74.

37-Shoma, M. & H. Saedi, 1977. Toxic plants & their venenation impacts on livestock. Publication of Tehran University. Second ed. 236p.

38-Taylor Jr., C. A., M. H. Ralphs & M. M. Kothmann, 1997. Vegetation Response to Increasing Stocking Rate under Rotational Stocking. Journal of Range Management, 50(4):439-442.

39-Turnbull, D.  2009.  Futures for indigenous knowledge. Futures 41:1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.10 16/j.futures.2008.07.002.

40-Williams, M. C. & L.F. James, 1975. Toxicity of Nitro-Containing Astragalus to Sheep and Chicks. Journal of Range Management, 28(4):260-263.

41-Young, J. A. & C.D. Clements, 2005. Exotic and Invasive Herbaceous Range Weeds. Rangelands, 27(5):10-16.

42-Zaki, M.M., S. A. El-Midany, H.M. Shaheen & L. Rizz, 2012. Mycotoxins in animals: Occurrence, effects, prevention and management. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 4(1):13-28.