Evaluation of structural and functional characteristics of ecological spots using the LFA
Subject Areas : RANGLAND MANAGMENTMaasoumeh Movaghari 1 , Leila Khalasi 2
1 - 1- Faculty of department of nature reclamation engineering of Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Khuzestan, Iran.
2 - Ph.D. in range management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
Keywords: Khuzestan, monitoring range ecosystems, Soil stability, Soil permeability, nutritional cycle of soil elements,
Abstract :
Khuzestan province is one of the provinces that have been struggling with the phenomenon of dust in recent years and has suffered many economic, social and environmental consequences. This research was conducted to identify the ecological components in the sand dunes of Zoeir in Khouzestan province with the aim of evaluating soil level indices by LFA method. This region is located at 48.1 km distance from Ahvaz city. Sampling unit in this research was linear transect. Ecological spots and the spaces between them were determined during each transect and then five repetitions were selected randomly between them. Then, eleven soil indices that determine three functional characteristics (stability, permeability and nutrient cycle of the elements) were scored according to Tongway and Hindly) 2003(. Then, three functional features were determined based on the scores of related indices, Using LFA software. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis and comparison of ecological spots. The result showed that the highest percentage of soil stability is related to tree spots and the smallest percentage refers to the spatial space (bare soil). Also, the highest percent of the nutrient cycle was related to tree and tree trunk spots and the spatial space (bare soil) with the forbs spot had the lowest food cycle. Also, contrary to the research hypotheses, the highest percentage of permeability belonged to the bare soil.
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2-Baruch, Z., 2005. Vegetation environment relationships and classification of the seasonal savannas in Venezuela_flora, Pp:49-64.
3- Bestelmeyer, B.T., Ward, J.P., Herrick, J.E., and Tugel, A.J.(2006) Fragmentation effects on soil aggregate stability in patchy arid grassland. Rangeland Ecol Manage, 59: 406 - 415.
4- Bradshaw A.D. 1984. Ecological principles and land reclamation practice.- Landscape Planning, 11: 35–48.
5- Bran, D.E., Oliva, G.E. Aguiar, M.R. Buono, G.G. Ferrante,D.Nakamatsu, V. Ciari, G. Salomone, J.M. Massara, V. Martínez, G.G. Maestre,F.T. 2018. Aridity and Overgrazing Have Convergent Effects on Ecosystem Structure and Functioning in Patagonian Rangelands, Journal of Land Degradation & Development, Volume 29, Issue2, Pages 210-218.
6- Butterfield, B.J., and Briggs, J.M. (2008) Patch dynamics of soil biotic feedbacks in the Sonorant desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 73: 96–102.
7- DehghaniBidgoli, R. and Keshavarzi, A.2018. Landscape Function Analysis to Assess the Grazing Effect on Some Soil Features in Arid Ecosystem, Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal, 7 (1) 37-42
8- Ghelichnia,H.Heshmati, G.A. and Chaichi, M.R. 2009. The compare of assessment rangeland condition with soil properties method and 4 factors method in shrublands of Golestan National Park. Pajouhesh&Sazandegi No: 78 pp: 41-50.
9-Heshmati, Gh.A. 1997. Plant and soil indicator for detecting zone around water points in arid perennial chenopod shrubland of South Australia. PhD thesis. University of Adelaide, Department of Botany.
10- Heshmati, Gh. A., M. S. Azimi and P.Ashouri. 2010. Assessment of Structural Characteristics of Fertilized Patch in Rangeland Ecosystems (Case Study: GharehGhirand MaravehTapeh Rangelands of Golestan Province). Iranian Journal of Natural Resources, Vol. 63, No. 3. pp.319-329
11- Heshmati, GH.A. and Kamali, P. 2016. Effects of Woody Plants on Rangeland Ecosystems Function. Journal of Natural Ecosystems of Iran, Article 2, Volume 6, Issue 4, Page 12-25.
12- Jafari , F. Bashari , H. and Jafari, R. 2015. Evaluating Structural and Functional Characteristics of Various Ecological Patches in Different Range Conditions (Case Study: Semi -Steppe Rangeland of Aghche-Isfahan). Iran Journal of Applied Ecology, Volume 3, Issue 10, 13-24.
13- Karimian, V. and G. A. Heshmati. 2018. Evaluation of effects of tree and shrub species (ziziphusspinacristi, ziziphusnumolariaand Astragalusfasciculifolius) on soil surface indices in winter rangelands (case study:Khashab Stream Rangelands, Southern Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad). Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, Vol. 24 No. (4).
14- KhalasiAhwazi, L. and Heshmati, GH.A . 2013. Evaluating Different Patches, Using LFA Method to Control Wind Erosion (Case Study: Hanitiyeh Rangelands of Ahvaz City). Quarterly Journal of Environmental Erosion Researches No. 8, pp: 62-76.
15- Li X.J., Li X.R., Song W.M., Gao Y.P., Zheng J.G., Jia R.L. 2007. Effects of crust and shrub patches on runoff, sedimentation, and related nutrient (C, N) redistribution in the decertified steppe one of the Tengger Desert, Northern China. Geomorphology, 96: 221–232.
16- LotfiAnari, P. and Heshmati, G.A. 2009. Calibration of Landscape Function Analysis method in an arid cold-season rangeland ecosystem in central part of Iran (Case study: Mazraeamin rangeland, Yazd province). Iranian journal of Range and Desert Reseach, Vol. 16 No. (3): 386-400.
17-Ludwig, J.A., J.A. Wiens and D.J. Tongway. 2000. A scaling rule for landscape patches and how it applies to conserving soil resources in savannas. Ecosystems, 3: 84–97.
18- Munro, N.T. Fischer, J., Wood, J., and Lindenmayer, D.B., 2012. Assessing ecosystem function of restoration plantings in south-eastern Australia. Forest Ecology and Management Volume 282, 15 October 2012, Pages 36-45.
19- Nouhi S.N., Mesdaghi, M., Heshmati G. 2000. Investigation of topography effect on vegetation cover and production in rangeland plants of JahannamaregionGorgan, Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Recourses, 4(28): 27-35. (In Persian).
20- NRC (National Research Council). 1994. Rangeland health: new methods to classify, inventory, and monitor rangelands National Academy Press، Washington, D. C.
21- Pyke, D.A., Herrick, H.E., Shaver, P. and Pellant, M., 2002. Rangland health attributes and indicators for qualitative assessment Journal of Range Management, 55: 584-597.
22-Rafigh , E. Naseri, K. Mesdaghi, M. and Melati, F. 2017. An investigation on spacial heterogeneity of rangeland ecosystem function caused by different grazing intensity and geographical aspects. Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, Vol. 24 No. (3). 547-559.
23- Rezaei, S.A. and Arzani, H. 2007. The use of soil surface attributes in rangelands capability assessment. Iranian journal of Range and Desert Reseach, Vol. 14 No. (2),232- 248.
24- Tavili, A. Jafari, M. and Ebadi,O. 2008. . Evaluation of the Effect of Microbiotics on Soil Permeability by LFA Method. Fourth National Conference on Watershed Management and Management of Iran.
25-Tongway, D.J. and N.L. Hindly 1995. Assessment of soil condition of tropical grasslandsmanual. CSRIO, Division of Wildlife and Ecology. Canberra, Australia. 72p.
26-Tongway, D.J., and N.L. Hindly., 2003. Indicators of ecosystem rehabilitation success: stage two, verification of EFA indicators. Final report to the Australian centre for mining environmental research. Produced by the centre for mined Land rehabilitation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, and CSIRO sustainable ecosystems, Canberra, Australia, 66p.
27- Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L., 2004. Landscape Function Analysis: a system for monitoring rangeland function. African Journal of Range and Forest Science, 21: 41-45.
28-Tongway, D. J., and Ludwig, J. A. (1990) Vegetation and soil patterning in semi-arid mulga lands of Eastern Australia. Australian. Journal of Ecology, 15: 23-34.
29- Tongway, D., and Ludwig, J.A., 2006. Resource retention and ecological function as restoration targets in semi-arid Australia. Restoration Ecology 14(3):369-378.
30-Tongway, D.J. and E.L. Smith. 1989. Soil surface features as indicators of rangeland site productivity. J. Aus. Range., 11: 15-20.
31-Whitford, W.G. 2002. Ecology of desert systems. Academic Press. New York, Ny. P. 330.
32- Yari, R. Ahmadpoor, A. Heshmati, GH.A. and Beiki, S. 2015. Investigating the Effect of Plant Growth Form on Soil Functional Properties including Soil Stability, Permeability and Soil Food Cycle (Case Study: Ferdows Rangelands). National Conference on Watershed Management Sciences and Engineering.
33-Yari, R. and Heshmati, GH.A. 2016. Investigating the effect of rangelands structure on the surface indicators and soil functional attributes in arid and semi-arid areas. Journal of plant Ecosystem Conservation, 3 (7):29-39.
_||_- Alemzadehgorji , A. and Heshmati, GH.A. 2015. Functional aspects of plant structure impacts on ecosystems Bungalow pastures in Western Azerbaijan. Journal of Natural Ecosystems of Iran, Article 3, Volume 6, Issue 3, Page 29-39.
2-Baruch, Z., 2005. Vegetation environment relationships and classification of the seasonal savannas in Venezuela_flora, Pp:49-64.
3- Bestelmeyer, B.T., Ward, J.P., Herrick, J.E., and Tugel, A.J.(2006) Fragmentation effects on soil aggregate stability in patchy arid grassland. Rangeland Ecol Manage, 59: 406 - 415.
4- Bradshaw A.D. 1984. Ecological principles and land reclamation practice.- Landscape Planning, 11: 35–48.
5- Bran, D.E., Oliva, G.E. Aguiar, M.R. Buono, G.G. Ferrante,D.Nakamatsu, V. Ciari, G. Salomone, J.M. Massara, V. Martínez, G.G. Maestre,F.T. 2018. Aridity and Overgrazing Have Convergent Effects on Ecosystem Structure and Functioning in Patagonian Rangelands, Journal of Land Degradation & Development, Volume 29, Issue2, Pages 210-218.
6- Butterfield, B.J., and Briggs, J.M. (2008) Patch dynamics of soil biotic feedbacks in the Sonorant desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 73: 96–102.
7- DehghaniBidgoli, R. and Keshavarzi, A.2018. Landscape Function Analysis to Assess the Grazing Effect on Some Soil Features in Arid Ecosystem, Desert Ecosystem Engineering Journal, 7 (1) 37-42
8- Ghelichnia,H.Heshmati, G.A. and Chaichi, M.R. 2009. The compare of assessment rangeland condition with soil properties method and 4 factors method in shrublands of Golestan National Park. Pajouhesh&Sazandegi No: 78 pp: 41-50.
9-Heshmati, Gh.A. 1997. Plant and soil indicator for detecting zone around water points in arid perennial chenopod shrubland of South Australia. PhD thesis. University of Adelaide, Department of Botany.
10- Heshmati, Gh. A., M. S. Azimi and P.Ashouri. 2010. Assessment of Structural Characteristics of Fertilized Patch in Rangeland Ecosystems (Case Study: GharehGhirand MaravehTapeh Rangelands of Golestan Province). Iranian Journal of Natural Resources, Vol. 63, No. 3. pp.319-329
11- Heshmati, GH.A. and Kamali, P. 2016. Effects of Woody Plants on Rangeland Ecosystems Function. Journal of Natural Ecosystems of Iran, Article 2, Volume 6, Issue 4, Page 12-25.
12- Jafari , F. Bashari , H. and Jafari, R. 2015. Evaluating Structural and Functional Characteristics of Various Ecological Patches in Different Range Conditions (Case Study: Semi -Steppe Rangeland of Aghche-Isfahan). Iran Journal of Applied Ecology, Volume 3, Issue 10, 13-24.
13- Karimian, V. and G. A. Heshmati. 2018. Evaluation of effects of tree and shrub species (ziziphusspinacristi, ziziphusnumolariaand Astragalusfasciculifolius) on soil surface indices in winter rangelands (case study:Khashab Stream Rangelands, Southern Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad). Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, Vol. 24 No. (4).
14- KhalasiAhwazi, L. and Heshmati, GH.A . 2013. Evaluating Different Patches, Using LFA Method to Control Wind Erosion (Case Study: Hanitiyeh Rangelands of Ahvaz City). Quarterly Journal of Environmental Erosion Researches No. 8, pp: 62-76.
15- Li X.J., Li X.R., Song W.M., Gao Y.P., Zheng J.G., Jia R.L. 2007. Effects of crust and shrub patches on runoff, sedimentation, and related nutrient (C, N) redistribution in the decertified steppe one of the Tengger Desert, Northern China. Geomorphology, 96: 221–232.
16- LotfiAnari, P. and Heshmati, G.A. 2009. Calibration of Landscape Function Analysis method in an arid cold-season rangeland ecosystem in central part of Iran (Case study: Mazraeamin rangeland, Yazd province). Iranian journal of Range and Desert Reseach, Vol. 16 No. (3): 386-400.
17-Ludwig, J.A., J.A. Wiens and D.J. Tongway. 2000. A scaling rule for landscape patches and how it applies to conserving soil resources in savannas. Ecosystems, 3: 84–97.
18- Munro, N.T. Fischer, J., Wood, J., and Lindenmayer, D.B., 2012. Assessing ecosystem function of restoration plantings in south-eastern Australia. Forest Ecology and Management Volume 282, 15 October 2012, Pages 36-45.
19- Nouhi S.N., Mesdaghi, M., Heshmati G. 2000. Investigation of topography effect on vegetation cover and production in rangeland plants of JahannamaregionGorgan, Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Recourses, 4(28): 27-35. (In Persian).
20- NRC (National Research Council). 1994. Rangeland health: new methods to classify, inventory, and monitor rangelands National Academy Press، Washington, D. C.
21- Pyke, D.A., Herrick, H.E., Shaver, P. and Pellant, M., 2002. Rangland health attributes and indicators for qualitative assessment Journal of Range Management, 55: 584-597.
22-Rafigh , E. Naseri, K. Mesdaghi, M. and Melati, F. 2017. An investigation on spacial heterogeneity of rangeland ecosystem function caused by different grazing intensity and geographical aspects. Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, Vol. 24 No. (3). 547-559.
23- Rezaei, S.A. and Arzani, H. 2007. The use of soil surface attributes in rangelands capability assessment. Iranian journal of Range and Desert Reseach, Vol. 14 No. (2),232- 248.
24- Tavili, A. Jafari, M. and Ebadi,O. 2008. . Evaluation of the Effect of Microbiotics on Soil Permeability by LFA Method. Fourth National Conference on Watershed Management and Management of Iran.
25-Tongway, D.J. and N.L. Hindly 1995. Assessment of soil condition of tropical grasslandsmanual. CSRIO, Division of Wildlife and Ecology. Canberra, Australia. 72p.
26-Tongway, D.J., and N.L. Hindly., 2003. Indicators of ecosystem rehabilitation success: stage two, verification of EFA indicators. Final report to the Australian centre for mining environmental research. Produced by the centre for mined Land rehabilitation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, and CSIRO sustainable ecosystems, Canberra, Australia, 66p.
27- Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L., 2004. Landscape Function Analysis: a system for monitoring rangeland function. African Journal of Range and Forest Science, 21: 41-45.
28-Tongway, D. J., and Ludwig, J. A. (1990) Vegetation and soil patterning in semi-arid mulga lands of Eastern Australia. Australian. Journal of Ecology, 15: 23-34.
29- Tongway, D., and Ludwig, J.A., 2006. Resource retention and ecological function as restoration targets in semi-arid Australia. Restoration Ecology 14(3):369-378.
30-Tongway, D.J. and E.L. Smith. 1989. Soil surface features as indicators of rangeland site productivity. J. Aus. Range., 11: 15-20.
31-Whitford, W.G. 2002. Ecology of desert systems. Academic Press. New York, Ny. P. 330.
32- Yari, R. Ahmadpoor, A. Heshmati, GH.A. and Beiki, S. 2015. Investigating the Effect of Plant Growth Form on Soil Functional Properties including Soil Stability, Permeability and Soil Food Cycle (Case Study: Ferdows Rangelands). National Conference on Watershed Management Sciences and Engineering.
33-Yari, R. and Heshmati, GH.A. 2016. Investigating the effect of rangelands structure on the surface indicators and soil functional attributes in arid and semi-arid areas. Journal of plant Ecosystem Conservation, 3 (7):29-39.