مراتع آلپی دامنه های سبلان به لحاظ برخورداری از جریان های اقلیمی مرطوب سرد سیبری، هیرکانی و مدیترانه ای، تیپ های گیاهی و عناصر رویشی متنوعی برخوردار است که در این تحقیق عمده ترین تیپ های گیاهی و شکل های زیستی گیاهان تشریح گردیده است. تفکیک تیپ های گیاهی بر اساس ریختار ظاهری گونه های شاخص، اسامی تیپ‌ها بر اساس گونه‌ غالب مشخص شده است و سطح تیپ‌ها به تفکیک بر حسب هکتار برآورد گردیده است. در مجموع پنج تیپ عمده گیاهی شامل: Astragalus aureus- Alopecurus textilis - Festuca ovina ، در حدود ارتفاعی2500تا3350 متری دامنه های شمالی سبلان. Astragalus cardachrum- Alopecurus textilis -Festuca ovina در حدود ارتفاعی 2800 تا 3750 متری در دامنه های جنوبی سبلان، Astragalus sp- Festuca ovina - Trifolium repens در حدود ارتفاعی 2600 تا 3300 متری، Festuca sulcata - Alopecurus textiles - Carex sp. در حدود ارتفاعی 3200 تا 3700 متری از دامنه‌های مشرف به کوه هرم به خود اختصاص داده است و تیپ گیاهی Festuca ovina - Carex sp. در ارتفاع 3220 تا 3450 متر از سطح آب های آزاد در دامنه‌های شرقی سبلان واقع شده است. از نظر شکل زیستی گیاهان، همی کریپتوفیت ها و ژئوفیت ها،بترتیپ فراوانترین شکل زیستی گیاهان منطقه می باشد. پر واضح است که با بررسی و شناخت گروه های اکولوژیک گیاهی در مناطق آلپی سبلان، توان اکولوژیک این رویشگاهها بهتر توصیف شده و نتایج حاصله، به واقعیت موجود در رویشگاهها عینیت بیشتری خواهد بخشید و در حفظ و نگهداری آنها موثر خواهد بود. Manuscript profile

Rangeland vegetation dynamics can be affected by various natural and unnatural factors over time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of vegetation under the climatic conditions and soil properties. Accordingly, data collection for evaluating vegetation dynamics in rangeland ecosystems of Ardabil province was conducted at three research sites including Moqan winter rangeland, and Nour and Aqdagh Khalkhal summer rangelands in 2009 followed for four years. Vegetation variables were measured using transects and sampling plots. Meanwhile, at the location of each plot, soil moisture was measured at two or three depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm using a Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR). According to the results, in the Nour site, the changes recorded for shrubs such as Onobrychis cornuta L. and forbs were significant (P<0.01). However, the changes recorded for the perennial grasses including Alopecurus aucheri L., Bromus tomentellus Boiss. Festuca ovina and Koeleria caucasica Trin. Ex Domin were not significant. In the Aqdagh site, the changes of perennial grasses including Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina L. and Koeleria caucasica as well as forbs were significant (P<0.05). The changes of annuals were found significant (P<0.01). No significant differences were recorded for the shrubs such as Onobrychis cornuta and Thymus kotschyanus. In the Moqan site, the changes of dominant shrub (Artemisia fragrans) and annuals were significant (P<0.01). Soil moistures during the growing season and over the years were varied; however, the trend of changes in soil organic carbon was slow. Accordingly, the results of this monitoring process from year to year changes in the main species of vegetation, soil, and soil erosion can be useful as a guide to correct the current methods used for the management of rangelands. Manuscript profile

Choosing the suitable species, sowing method and sowing season are three important factors for the success of rangeland restoration. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of sowing season and sowing methods on vegetative growth and establishment of Astragalus lilacinus in rangelands of Ardabil province during 2014-2015. Seeds of Astragalus lilacinus collected from its natural habitats and after its viability testing, it sown in a split-plot design based on randomized complete block with three replications. Factor A was sowing season at two levels (autumn and spring) and Factor B, was sowing method at two level (Scatter seeding and row seeding). The seeds were sown under dryland farming conditions. Data collected for establishment rate, canopy cover, plant height, and the flowering stems number over two years. The data were analyzed of variance and the mean comparison was performed using Duncan's method. The results showed that the seedling establishment rate was 28.5% under rainfed conditions. The higher establishment percentage with an average value of 33.6% obtained in the scatter seeding that was significantly higher than row seeding (23.6%). The sowing season by sowing method interaction effect was significant for canopy cover (P<0.05) and the higher value of canopy cover (2398cm2) was obtained in autumn season using scatter seeding method. Manuscript profile