در این مطالعه غلظت پنج عنصر کم مصرف آهن، مس، روی، کبالت و منگنز در هشت گونه مرتعی پهن برگ علفی Prangus uloptera Medicago sativa, Lotus goeblia, Trifolium montanum, Sanguisorba minor, Stachys inflate, Melilotus officinalis و Ferula ovina اندازه گیری شد. نمونه برداری از گونه های مذکور در سه مرحله فنولوژیک، رویشی، گلدهی و بذر دهی به روش کاملاً تصادفی در مراتع طالقان انجام شد. برای اندازه گیری عناصر کم مصرف از دستگاه جذب اتمی استفاده گردید. برای مقایسه مقادیر عناصر با سطح مورد نیاز قوچ از جدول NRC2007 استفاده شد. میزان عناصر بدست آمده با استفاده از آزمون t با یک مقدار ثابت با سطح نیاز قوچ مقایسه شد. نتایج نشان داد؛ میزان روی اکثر گونه‌ها در تمام مراحل فنولوژیک کمتر از سطح مورد نیاز قوچ است، ولی میزان آهن، کبالت، منگنز و مس همه گونه های مورد مطالعه در هر سه مرحله فنولوژیک بالاتر از نیاز قوچ نژاد فشندی است، و میزان بدست آمده در همه گونه‌ها و مراحل فنولوژیک دارای اختلاف معنی دار در سطوح 99% و 95% با سطح مورد نیاز قوچ است. با توجه به کمبود عنصر روی، استفاده از مکمل‌های معدنی برای حفظ سلامتی دام غالب منطقه و رسیدن به عملکرد دام در سطح مطلوب، ضروری بنظر می رسد Manuscript profile

یکی از مهمترین چالش های زیست محیطی دو دهه گذشته از بین رفتن مراتع کشور است. مراتع از آنجایی قابل اهمیت هستند که بخش مهمی از منابع تجدیدشونده را تشکیل می دهند و هنوز زندگی شمار قابل توجهی از انسان ها و حیوانات به آن وابسته است. از این رو هدف این پژوهش شناسایی پیامدها و پیش آیندهای مشارکت مرتعداران در اجرای طرح های مرتعداری استان گیلان است. جامعه آماری این پژوهش مرتعداران استان گیلان هستند. تعداد کل مراتع استان گیلان که دارای طرح های مرتعداری بودند برابر با 186 مرتع است و تعداد 335 نفر از مرتعداران به عنوان پاسخ دهندگان به پرسشنامه به صورت تصادفی از بین مجریان طرح های مرتعداری در این مناطق انتخاب شدند. ابزار جمع آوری داده ها در این تحقیق پرسشنامه بود و برای بررسی فرضیه های پژوهش از تحلیل عاملی تاییدی و مدل سازی معادلات ساختاری با رویکرد حداقل مربعات جزیی استفاده شد. نتایج حاکی از تاثیر مثبت و معنی دار عوامل اقتصادی، اجتماعی، روان شناختی، نگرشی و آموزشی- ترویجی بر مشارکت مرتعداران در اجرای طرح های مرتعداری بود. همچنین مشارکت مرتعداران در اجرای طرح های مرتعداری بر سلامت مراتع، افزایش تولیدات دامی و رضایت مندی بهره برداران تاثیر مثبت دارد. نتایج بررسی نشان داد که تعادل دام و مرتع یکی از مهمترین عوامل تخریب مراتع گیلان می باشد و مادامی که این مساله برطرف نگردد، تمامی تلاش ها و اقدامات برای مدیریت، اصلاح و احیای مراتع بی فایده و یا بسیار کم اثر است. Manuscript profile

هدف از این تحقیق مقایسة تغییر کاربری اراضی مرتعی به دیم‌زار در دو شهرستان رابر و ارزوئیه در یک دوره 15 ساله است. روند تغییرات کاربری محدودة مطالعاتی (ده سرد و کوه سفید) با استفاده از تصاویر لندست ETM (سال 2000) و OLI (سال 2014) در محیط نرم افزار ENVI®5 با روش طبقه بندی نظارت شده پردازش گردید. در نهایت نقشه طبقه بندی کاربری شامل کاربری مرتع، کشاورزی، اراضی بایر و باغ در منطقه شناسایی شد. دقت نقشه های تولیدی با ضریب کاپا محاسبه شد. برای این منظور از تصاویر نرم افزار گوگل ارتس و بازدید میدانی در تهیه نقاط تعلیمی استفاده شد. در نهایت ماتریس دقت برای هر نقشه تشکیل ‌گردید. برای پی بردن به تغییرات هر یک از کاربری‌ها به سایر کاربری‌ها از روش جدول متعامد (Crosstab) استفاده شد. نتایج تغییرات کاربری اراضی در دو منطقه نشان داد که کاربری اراضی مرتع بیش‌ترین تبدیل و تغییر را داشته است، درصد تغییرات در آبخیز ده سرد 77% و در آبخیز کوه سفید 73% بود. صحت نقشه های طبقه بندی برای هر دو زیر حوزه 98% بدست آمد. نتایج این تحقیق نشان داد که گسترش فعالیت‌های زراعی بر روی اکوسیستم‌های مرتعی موجب تبدیل مراتع به زمین‌های کم بازده می‌شود. نتیجه مطالعه همچنین نشان داد که در منطقه کوه سفید و ده سرد به ترتیب 9% و 20% تغییرات در زمین های کم بازده می باشد. Manuscript profile

تعیین شایستگی مرتع با استفاده از شرایط محدود کننده روش فائو، به لحاظ تعدد عوامل و اینکه در برخی از موارد نیاز به عملیات آزمایشگاهی و تهیه نقشه دارد، زمان بر بوده و امکان قابلیت کاربرد آن توسط تمامی کارشناسان، وجود ندارد. از اینرو دستورالعمل طبقه بندی شایستگی مرتع برای چرای انواع دام در مناطق مختلف آب و هوایی، از طرف دفتر فنی مرتع پیشنهاد شد. بر اساس دستورالعمل پیشنهادی، شایستگی مرتع برای چرای انواع دام، از تلفیق سه معیار پوشش گیاهی (20 امتیاز)، آب (15 امتیاز) و فرسایش خاک (15 امتیاز) حاصل می شود. جهت ارزیابی قابلیت دستورالعمل ذکر شده در منطقه نیمه خشک، پژوهش حاضر در فصل رویش سال 1396 در مراتع کوهستانی امام کندی ارومیه انجام و نتایج حاصل از تعیین شایستگی تیپ های گیاهی بر مبنای دستورالعمل پیشنهادی با نتایج حاصل از روش شرایط محدود کننده فائو، توسط آزمون غیرپارامتری ویلکاکسون، مورد مقایسه قرار گرفت. نتایج نشان داد که در روش شرایط محدود کننده فائو، در 83 درصد موارد، معیار تولید علوفه، در 46 درصد، معیار حساسیت خاک به فرسایش، در 11 درصد، معیار منابع آب، به عنوان معیارهای کاهش دهنده شایستگی تیپ های گیاهی می باشند. ولی در دستورالعمل پیشنهادی، تنها حساسیت خاک به فرسایش، سبب کاهش امتیاز شاخص ها و در نتیجه، طبقات شایستگی شده است. نتایج نشان داد که تفاوت معنی داری بین دو روش از نظر طبقات شایستگی نهایی وجود ندارد (P≤0.05)، و بیش از 85 درصد از مراتع منطقه، در دو روش به صورت یکسان طبقه بندی شدند. بنابراین دستورالعمل پیشنهادی، قادر به شناسایی و تفکیک مناطق مستعد و غیرمستعد از نظر چرای گوسفند می باشد و کارایی آن در مقایسه با روش شرایط محدود کننده فائو، با توجه به صرفه جویی در هزینه و سادگی، قابل توجه است. این دستورالعمل، کارشناسان را قادر خواهد ساخت که در هنگام تهیه طرح های مرتعداری چند منظوره (تلفیقی)، با روشی ساده و کاربردی در عرصه، به تناسب استفاده از مراتع جهت چرای دام پی ببرند. Manuscript profile

شتاب در روند تغییرات اقلیمی باعث دگرگونی سریع وضعیت اکوسیستم های مرتعی شده است که یافتن روش های نوین ارزیابی این تغییرات راهی جهت مدیریت پایدار مراتع محسوب می شود. به منظور بررسی روند تغییرات پوشش گیاهی ناشی از اثرات اقلیمی مراتع البرز مرکزی انتخاب شدند. شاخص نرمال‌شده تفاضل پوشش گیاهی (NDVI) با استفاده از تصاویر ماهواره ای لندست، سنجنده +TM، ETMو OLI برای سال های 1366 تا 1395 (30 سال) استخراج گردید. با استفاده از شاخص بارش استاندارد شده (SPI) روند خشکسالی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. جهت پیش بینی تغییرات آتی پوشش گیاهی مراتع از مدل زنجیره مارکوف استفاده شد. نتایج نشان داد که شاخص (NDVI) از سال های گذشته تا حال نوسان داشته است به طوریکه ضمن افزایش موقتی تغییرات در بعضی سال ها 1366 (0.86)، 1381 (0.87)، 1384 (0.87) و 1394 (0.86)؛ اما روند تغییرات کلی به صورت کاهش در میزان این شاخص در سال های 1374 (0.53)، 1376 (0.65)، 1379 (0.62) و 1387 (0.61) به خصوص برای طبقات متوسط تا خیلی فقیر بوده است. همبستگی بالا (5/91%) بین شاخص SPI و NDVI نشان می دهد که تقریباً در تمامی سال های کاهش پوشش گیاهی، خشکسالی شدید تا متوسط رخ داده است. همچنین مدل پیش بینی مارکوف تغییرات کاهشی شدیدی در میزان شاخص پوشش گیاهی برای سال های 2031 و 2045 پیش بینی می کند. بنابراین مدیریت مراتع باید به گونه ای پیش برود که با روند افزایش تدریجی دما و تأثیرات منفی آن بر پوشش گیاهی، از طریق تنظیم ظرفیت چرایی و نیز جایگزینی دام های با عملکرد بالا و تقویت گونه های گیاهی مقاوم به خشکی نسبت به شرایط آینده آمادگی یابند. Manuscript profile

One of the effective ways for reducing atmospheric CO2 is carbon sequestration by plants and soils. Rangelands with an expanded area have a great potential for Carbon (C) Stocks. In this study, C stocks in three treatments including natural rangelands (NR), Pit- seeding by Agropyrum elongatum (PS) and abandoned dry farming (ADF) were examined in Kardeh basin Mashhad, Iran in 2013. In each treatment, ten transects and in each transect, ten plots were established. Percentages of vegetation cover, litter, rock and soil were recorded in each plot. Aerial and root biomasses of dominant species were sampled by the clipping and weighing method. Litters in each plot were collected and weighed, too. Carbon content of biomass and litter were measured by combustion method using Electric Combustion Furnace. Ten soil samples were taken along each transect at two depths of 0-25 and 25-50 cm. The soil organic carbon percent was determined by the Walkley–Black method. Data analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using Duncan test. Results showed significant differences between treatments for total C stocks (soil+biomass+litter). NR and ADF management with the average values of 535.32 and 177.14 (t.ha-1) had the highest and lowest C stocks, respectively. Among the components of the ecosystem, soil had a main role in C sequestration followed by above biomass, roots and litters. PS management had the highest C stocks in plant biomass and litter but its soil C stocks were significantly lower than NR. Perennial grasses, bushes and perennial forbs were dominant in PS and NR management that play the most important role in plant C stocks. In conclusion, proper management of natural rangelands and more attention to vegetation and soil conservation may lead to store a considerable amount of C stocks in these lands. Manuscript profile

Exclusion and not using of rangeland in the long term affects the composition and homogeneity of vegetation and consequently leads to the improvement of plants status. In this study, the characteristics and structural changes of the rangeland of Gonbad, Hamadan province, Iran, in 2014 (after 20 years of enclosure) were evaluated using Braun-Blanquet plot, Phytosociology and multivariate analysis by the software PC-Ord5. According to clustering diagram and Indicator Species Analysis, it was found that the studied region had 10 vegetation types and 17 Indicator Species. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that in the first axis the variables: stone and gravel percentage, Electrical Conductivity (EC), clay, and organic carbon were important and in the second axis canopy cover of grasses, total canopy cover, and pH were important. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed the relationship between plant communities and environmental factors in the enclosure region. It was found that there are correlations between the echo logical units and the factors: stone and gravel (0.25), clay (-0.26), sand (0.28), silt (0.38), slope (-0.36), total neutralizing value (0.34), and plant species indicators that resulted to the separation of the units. The results showed that in the long-term enclosure, plant communities tend towards a uniform and homogeneous composition and consequently led to the improvement of the rangeland vegetation conditions. Therefore the density, composition and the class I plant species have increased. Manuscript profile

The vegetation cover and rangeland production are the most important factors to determine the proper planning system for effective utilization and management of rangelands. In this research, the effect of climatic factors (temperature and rainfall) were studied on vegetation cover and forage production of four species (Festuca ovina, Bromus tomentellus, Dactylis glomerata and Agropyron trichophorum) during 2002-2006 and in 2013 in a semi-steppe area in Polur rangeland, Mazandaran Province, Iran. The climatic factors were annual rainfall, growing season rainfall, growing season plus previous year rainfall, growing season rainfall of March, annual mean temperature and growing season temperature. For this purpose, some plots with a systematic distribution were selected. The vegetation cover and forage production were measured. The relationships between vegetation indices and climatic factors were assessed for each species using stepwise regression. The results demonstrated that the plant species had responded to rainfall and temperature fluctuations. However, the responses were different in various species. Among the important climatic factors, the growing season rainfall of March was the most effective index for B. tomentellus and A. trichophorum vegetation cover and forage production as well as on D. glomerata vegetation cover. The forage production of F ovina was influenced by the growing season plus the previous year rainfall. According to the results, the forage production and vegetation cover of these grass species could be estimated based on rainfall data. Therefore, with the knowledge of the effects of rainfall year fluctuations on vegetation indices over a long period, it is possible to make the necessary predictions for optimizing the management of rangelands. Manuscript profile

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total community and Plant Functional Types (PFTs) Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) with soil variables. Sampling done in two altitude gradients (20-3300m) and 25 sites at the rangelands of the northern Ardabil province in 2016. In each site, PFTs ANPP and soil were sampled. In laboratory soil variables including Soil Texture, Dispersible Clay, Bulk Density, Volumetric Soil Water Content, Saturation Percent, pH, EC, Organic Matter, Particulate Organic Matter, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Sodium, Soluble Potassium, Exchangeable Potassium, Lime and Carbonate were measured. Cluster analysis was used to group sites based on soil variables. ANOVA and Tukey tests were employed to compare the value of ANPP and soil variable at different groups resulting from cluster analysis. Then, linear regression was used to investigate relationship between ANPP and soil variables. Based on cluster analysis, 25 sites were divided in four soil types and results showed that the value of PFTs and total ANPP and 26 soil variables from 37 soil variables had significant differences between grouping sites. Regression model showed that SK and P in first depth of soil were effective on grasses (R2=0.51), VWC and P in the first depth and EK and Mg in the second depth were effective on forbs ANPP (R2=0.61), Clay, VWC, Mg and POM in the second depth were effective on shrubs ANPP (R2=0.71) and pH in the first depth, Sand and POM in the second depth were effective on total ANPP (R2=0.76). According to the obtained models, ANPP changes can be predicted by soil variables. Also, based on the result, PFTs can be a suitable indicator for soil condition of rangeland. So, the results of the present study can be used to refine rangelands in this area and even to extend them to other areas. Manuscript profile

As far as Iran is concerned in arid and semi-arid region and amount of water is limited, improvement of water consuming is very important. One of the ways for storing water is to use superabsorbent polymer. So, this research compared normal and deficit irrigation methods by considering the effects of stockosorb (0.1% and 0.3% by volume) and zeolite (10 weight% and 15 weight%) in two sandy soils (70% and 80%) on soil physicochemical characteristics (EC, pH, field capacity, available water, wilting point, bulk density, practical density, porosity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and plant morphological traits (plant height, basal area, large and small diameter of canopy) of Atriplex lentiformis (Torr.) S.Wats. The research was carried out in the field of desert research centre in Semnan Province in 2013. A split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. The result showed that superabsorbent had a significant effect on plant height, large and small diameter of canopy. Also, superabsorbent had a significant effect on EC, pH, field capacity, available water, bulk density, porosity, K. However, they had no significant effect on wilting point, soil particle density, P and N. Also, the result of economical investigation of stockosorb and zeolite showed that using 10 wt% zeolite, 15 wt% zeolite and 0.1% stockosorb with normal irrigation is economical. Manuscript profile

Climate is the most important factor of plants distribution in global and regional scale. Understanding the current distribution of vegetation cover and its interaction with climate regularity is important for predicting its future. In order to determine the effective climate factors in plant life-form in Polour rangelands in the Damavand summit (2400 to 4100 m above sea level), Iran, a study was carried out in May to July 2016. Climatic diagram for the average data of 2006-2016 was obtained by Emberger’s method. Regression method was used for determining the relationships between altitude and climatic factors and the output was employed to draw isothermal and isohyet maps as well as phytoclimatic map using Arc GIS v.10.2 software. One square meter plots were established randomly in the stand area and vegetation cover data were collected. The results showed that the study area has cold arid climate with six months of drought period. The stepwise regression analysis between total vegetation cover and the climate factors showed that minimum temperature was the most effective variable (r=0.875) that may influence the vegetation cover. The plant growth was started when environmental temperature copes with 10oC which was mid-April. Hence, the upland rangeland plants of Polour are grown in severe condition and the most life forms such as grass-shrubs need sufficient climatic components such as precipitation and temperature. Therefore, the range management approach can be achieved by limiting the grazing periods for two months to maintain the current vegetation cover which finds an opportunity to balance themselves with expressive climate changes. Manuscript profile

This study was conducted to prepare a map of multi-hazard (drought, fire, and flood) to manage the rangelands of the Siah Bisheh watershed located in the west of Mazandaran province, Iran, Iran from 2017 to 2018. For drought assessment, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used using the rainfall data of 21 meteorological stations for a period of 30 years. The multi-criteria decision-making method was used to weigh the existing layers and prepare the fire risk map. The results of the drought investigation showed that the study area was in a severe to moderate drought range with an SPI of -2.14 to -0.76, and most of the adjacent areas were also in the normal and near normal drought class. The vegetation types Bromus tomentolus-Festuca ovina and Festuca ovina-Bromus tomentolus were observed in the areas with higher drought susceptibility. The fire investigation showed that distance from the village (0.249), litter (0.166), and rainfall (0.151) were the most effective factors than others, respectively. The fire risk map showed that the northern part of the study area was highly susceptible to fire. Moreover, the rangeland of the study area was not affected by flood risk, and only the areas around the river were affected by floods. The results of the drought, fire, and flood risk maps of the study area showed that the central and northern parts of the watershed were of high and very high susceptibility in terms of multi-hazards. Based on the results obtained from flood modelling using the frequency ratio method, it was determined that this method had an efficiency of 0.98 based on receiver operating characteristic criteria. To determine the final risk map of the Siah Bisheh sub-basin, the drought, fire, and flood risk maps were consolidated. According to the final risk map, generally, the central and northern parts of the basin showed high and very high susceptibility in terms of multi-hazards. This research is useful in areas such as Iran and saves time and cost on studies. Manuscript profile

Regardless the crop production, range and livestock management is unlikely to be possible. Considering the range production is essential for efficient and effective range management. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the rate of forage production and the effects of climate variables. For this purpose, forage yield of four range species including Artemisia sieberi, Scariola orientalis, Stipa atriseta, and Stachys inflate regarded as indices species was recorded in Bidalam rangeland, Fars province, Iran in a 10-year period (1998 to 2007) and then, the study continued for another two years (from 2016 to 2017). Forage yield was collected through cutting and weighing method in 60 random 2m2 plots along four 300 m transects during 12 years. Climatic parameters such as rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and sunshine periods were obtained from Abadeh weather station and used for estimation of forage yield in different growth periods of the year. The annual dry matter production of each species and sum of all species were used as dependent variables and climatic parameters were considered as independent ones using multivariate linear regression. The results showed that previous rainfall (rainy of growing season plus last year) had the highest effect on annual forage production of rangelands (R2=0.88). It was concluded that using regression analysis between annual rainfall and forage production in some indices species, the rangeland production of coming years could be estimated with high accuracy. Manuscript profile

Adaptation of plants under drought and salinity stress depends directly on the type of soil texture. Therefore, in this research, the morpho-physiological variations of Stachys multicaulis,an Iranian wild endemic plant species, were investigated in different soil textures under drought and salinity stress. For this purpose, plants were cultivated in three different light, medium and heavy soil textures under pot condition (outside the greenhouse near the plant original habitat) in 2016. Then, a set of drought stress (3 day intervals of irrigation; 3 to 15 days) and salinity stress (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 ds/m- NaCl) was used in two separate factorialexperiments based on a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that both drought and salinity had significant effects on morpho-physiological properties of S. multicaulis (p<0.01) based on type of soil texture. All of traits had higher performance in heavy soil texture except trichome length. For 15 day interval of irrigation, higher values of plant biomass, plant greenness, leaf length/width ratio, leaf angle, and node distance as 8.25g, 28.1%, 4.17, 55°, 1.5cm respectively were obtained in heavy soil texture. Similarly, for salinity of 25 ds/m, higher values of same traits as 7.7g, 25%, 3.9, 50°, and 1.4cm, respectively were obtained in heavy soil texture. Both drought and salinity stress had no significant effect (p<0.01) on leaves trichome number, trichome length, floret number per plant and branch number per plant in all three soil textures. The morphological variations of the plant occurred with greater intensity in salinity stress and it was concluded that plant tolerance to salinity was lower than drought. Manuscript profile

The use of modern methods in the analysis of rangeland ecosystems has received much consideration. The study of the diversity of medicinal and sometimes toxic species in rangelands can be regarded as an indicator of ecological status changes in rangeland ecosystems. In the present study, Javaherdeh mountain rangelands in north of Iran were selected under three sites including long-term exclusion, medium-term exclusion, and grazing during 2018-2019. Sampling was performed in each plant type with 4 transects of 200 meters and a random point every 10 m. Identification of species was carried out using published methods. Shannon’sdiversity,Margalef’srichness, dominance, and evenness indices were determined for each plot. The means comparisons were made for the three study sites using one-way ANOVA in SPSS v.22 software. According to the results, the highest values of diversity and richness indices for medicinal plants (1.817, 2.370) and total plants (2.062, 3.132) were calculated for the long-term exclosure. The evenness index for total species in the medium-term exclosure (0.588) and grazing area (0.620) was almost similar and higher than the amount of the long-term exclosure (0.058). However, the mentioned index for medicinal species in long term exclosure (0.739) was higher than two other sites. The dominance index for total plants in the grazing area (0.260) was higher than two other sites; however, this index of medicinal plants was higher in the grazing (0.355) and medium-term exclosure (0.393) sites as compared with the long-term exclosure (0.224). Overall, species diversity indices of medicinal plants could be a proper tool to interpret the ecological changes in range conditions. Therefore, ecological management of rangelands could be achieved through understanding and knowledge of these changes. Manuscript profile

Estimation of long-term pasture production using important factors of climate and soil characteristics on forage production is inevitable. Reduced water and precipitation is important factor limiting production of fodder, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Water use efficiency in these areas is the amount of water stored in the root orientation early in the growing season and water spread area of effective rainfall in the growing season that is used for evaporation and transpiration in plants. One of the important sections of the hydrological cycle is evapotranspiration. The transpiration directly affects forage production. The basis of estimating the water requirement of plants is the potential evapotranspiration which can be calculated by different methods. In this study, forage production in steppe rangelands of Dehsir, Yazd province, Iran were estimated using climatic index of potential and actual evapotranspiration and soil characteristics using Penman-Montith (Cropwat 8.0 software). The climatic data were provided from Dehshir Rainfall and Abarkooh Synoptic Station. Soil samples were taken by Auger at the beginning period of the growing season and soil moisture content was obtained weighing the soil before and after drying to constant weight in oven (100°C) in 2013. Then the regression model for estimation of forage production using soil moisture and evapotranspiration as independent variables was developed. The results showed that forage production had a strong correlation with the climatic index of actual evapotranspiration according to the estimation of actual evapotranspiration in a ten-year period, a model was provided for forage production as Ya=194.85+1.132(ETact). It could be said that actual evapotranspiration as an index for climate yield is one of the fundamental factors in estimating forage production. Manuscript profile

Prioritizing the rangeland plants for ecological functions is one of the main concerns in the operation of multifunctional rangelands. Considering that the use of various functions of plant species in rangelands can lead to higher renter's income and change single-livelihoods to multi-livelihoods. This research aims to prioritize the rangeland plants using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and VIKOR software on the basis of indigenous knowledge of ranchers during 2017-2018 in Titoeieh rangelands of Baft Township, Kerman, Iran. The results, based on analyzing the hierarchical method of questionnaires on 29 plant species revealed that the coefficients of importance of plant species for kinds of functions including forage, medicinal, beauty, beekeeping and soil conservation were different. In this regard, there was no unique plant with similar coefficients of importance for all functions. Vikor scenario illustrated that scoring 0.25 coefficients to the forage production function (and giving remain one to others as equal coefficient) resulted in Artemisia aucheri species as the first priority species, priority even when the yield of forage functions scored by 0.25 and o.50 and 0.75 coefficients. Furthermore, by giving these coefficients to other functions, Artemisia aucheri was allocated as the first rank with the exception of scenarios 8 and 13 (scored respectively 0.5 and 0.75 to beauty function associated with the remains to other functions) that resulted in Amygdalus scoparia as the first one. According to indigenous knowledge, ground reality and scenario making results, it can be concluded that since Artemisia aucheri was ranked in the first priority species at almost all scenarios, it can be thinkable and manageable in the multiple use of rangeland. According to extensive habitats of Artemisia aucheri in mountainous rangelands of Iran, this research can be applicable for increasing the income of range holders with holistic view. Manuscript profile

Rangeland production is especially important in meeting food requirement of rangeland societies. Sometimes, historical data are required for long-term grazing capacity estimation. Regression equations that are reasonably reliable for predicting forage production from precipitation characteristics have been developed for rangeland yield estimation. In this research, the relationship between forage production and meteorological factors was evaluated with six-year data for Pashaylogh and Incheboron rangelands (2003 to 2007 and 2017- Golestan province, Iran) and eleven-year data for Nemati rangeland (1998 to 2007 and 2017- Markazi province, Iran). For sampling, four parallel transects with a length of 300 m and at a distance of 100 m from each other were established in the steppe area (Nemati) and six 200-m transects were created in the semi-steppe area (Pashaylogh and Incheboron) and they were located parallel and at a distance of 100 m from each other. Due to the need for uniformity in the data of the rangelands of different provinces and their comparison, plot size of 1×2 m was selected in steppe site, and 1×1 m for semi-steppe sites. Data analysis was done through regression models. The results showed that forage production was related to temperature and precipitation rather than other meteorological factors (temperature, precipitation, sunlight hours, relative humidity, evapotranspiration and average wind speed). The best equation that can predict the relationship between meteorological data and forage production was August precipitation and temperature (R2=0.88) in Pashaylogh, the precipitation of June (R2=0.88) in Incheboron rangelands. There was a relationship between forage production (R2=0.79) with precipitation and temperature in July and in Nemati rangeland. The forage production index was determined based on effective meteorological factors and The Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration (SPEI) drought index. According to meteorological data, a coefficient could be obtained to estimate long-term rangeland production and prevent from forage loss. Manuscript profile

Economic, social, and ecological factors in rangelands affect range management. By integrating and studying these factors, a more appropriate method can be applied to assess the sustainability of rangelands. In the present study, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as well as the experiences and views of rangeland exploiters and nomadic and natural resources experts in Kerman province were used to compare and prioritize the economic, social, and ecological factors affecting sustainable range management in semi-arid rangelands of Kerman province in 2017. Then, the means comparisons were made between priorities of rangeland exploiters and experts. Using AHP weight data, our results showed that ecological capital had the most impact of 0.71 and 0.61 from the viewpoints of rangeland exploiters and experts, on sustainable range management in the study area, and the two other factors including economic ones with 0.17 and 0.19 and social ones with 0.09 and 0.19 capital were ranked, respectively. Furthermore, according to the results of comparing the views of rangeland exploiters and experts, significant differences were found between the views of the two mentioned groups for 14 indicators including plant species diversity, soil erosion, groundwater, unity and solidarity at the range allotment level, trusting the experts and promoters, the presence of people in decision making and planning, the presence and role of women in livestock and non-livestock products, living cost, and livestock number. Overall, the results indicate the inconsistency between the views of these two groups. Therefore, prior to policy making for sustainable range management, more consistency is required between the views of rangeland exploiters and experts in each of the related organizations for greater participation of range managers. Manuscript profile

Information on quality characteristics of forage species help the range managers to select a suitable grazing program that minimizes the damages to vegetation. Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) -the main photosynthetic products- are stored in various plant parts and are more likely to be consumed when plants require them. In order to investigate the changes of WSC in distinguishable organs in three phenological stages, samples were taken from Bromus tomentellus and Festuca ovina in three phenological stages (vegetation, flowering and maturity). Samples of roots and aerial parts were taken for both species using a completely randomized factorial arrangement-based design with the phenological stages regarded as the first factor and herbage parts as the second factor with 5 replications. Higher WSC values were observed in the leaves of B. tomentellus (4.6%) and F. ovina (4.5%) in maturity and flowering stages, respectively. Maximum WSC values of roots were obtained in B. tomentellus (3.2%) and F. ovina (3.5%) at vegetation and maturity stages, respectively. It was suggested that range utilization in a phenological stage might be managed in which forage species can withstand the defoliation without severe reserve depletion. Results indicate that except flowering stage in B. tomentellus, WSC was increased with the increase of panicle weight in the maturity stage and there was an inverse relationship between plant components and WSC content percent in the other phenological stages. Manuscript profile