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Coping with climate change (CC) is part of the way to face this phenomenon. This depends on the understanding of CC and the degree of adaptability to it. The research was conducted with the aim of measuring the level of nomads' understanding (NU) of CCe and their adaptation strategies (AS) in the face of CC. The research was descriptive and the data collection tool was a questionnaire whose items were obtained based on interviews. NU of the effects of CC is not the same. According to them, CC has had the most obvious impact on vegetation. The priority of AS is also different in the face of CC. A positive relationship was observed between understanding the effects of CC and the degree of adaptability in facing CC. Nomads who had a better understanding of the effects of CC have used livestock management strategies to adapt to it. Age and history of animal husbandry had a positive relationship with the level of understanding of the effects of CC. A negative and significant relationship was also observed between the number of animals and the degree of compatibility. The NU of CC and its effects on the ecology of the environment is an important starting point in dealing with the negative effects of CC and choosing appropriate strategies to adapt or deal with it. So that the selection of suitable adaptation methods by the nomads reduces the vulnerability of CC on the condition of livestock and rangeland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most basic criteria in documenting rangeland use prospects is the recognition of byproducts and their economic appraisal. The current study was conducted to assess the economic indices of exploiting byproduct production in Shahindej, Northwest Iran. For this purpose, 24 by-product-generating species were selected in 114 locations that belong to 49 rangeland units. The total expected value of 24 by-product generating species yield and forage production was calculated at 44.22 USD ha−1. The results of this study showed that the sustainability of natural resources depends on the effective participation and empowerment of local communities. Furthermore, by-product exploitation contributes significantly to the local economy and employment while also reducing grazing intensity. Overall, the findings of this study show that by-product earnings should be considered in range management schemes and comprehensive natural-area management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The multi-purpose utilization of rangelands is a challenge that can alleviate grazing pressure, enhance rangeland well-being and empowerment, and preserve rangeland ecosystems. This research aimed to assess the suitability of mountain rangelands in the Marghevar region of Urmia for dualpurpose grazing and the exploitation of medicinal plants. Methodology: During the growing season of 2018-2019, vegetation data were collected in 60 plots of two square meters, spaced 10 meters apart along six 100-meter transects. Ecological indicators, including crown cover percentage, species density, forage production by grazed species, and medicinal plant organs used, were measured. Economic indicators, such as economic rent and expected value per hectare, were evaluated for both medicinal plants and forage. Social indicators, including marketability desirability and willingness to harvest medicinal plants, were extracted from questionnaire studies. Physical characteristics of the plant types (PTS) and soil erosion information from previous studies were also considered. Suitability classes (S1, S2, S3, N) for livestock grazing (sheep) and medicinal plant utilization were determined based on the total points of each indicator using the guidelines provided in the Manual of Suitability for Sheep Grazing (MSSG) and Manual of Suitability for Medicinal Plants (MSMP). The priority of dual-purpose use of rangelands was determined by comparing the merit classes of PTS for livestock grazing and medicinal plant utilization. Results: The results revealed that the crown cover percentage of medicinal plants in the composition of each PTS ranged from 5% to 40%. The share of medicinal plants in the habitat's plant composition ranged from 20% to 62%. The composition of medicinal plants and grazed species varied from 3% to 30%. Forage production by grazed species ranged from 65 to 850 kg/ha, while medicinal plant production ranged from 4 to 159 kg/ha during one growing season. The suitability assessment indicated that 77% of the rangeland area in the region had high suitability for dualpurpose use, 10.7% had moderate suitability, 0.9% had low suitability, and 3.3% were unsuitable based on ecological, environmental, economic, and social indicators. The presence and production capacity of medicinal plants were identified as limiting factors for the ability of PTS to exploit medicinal plants. Conclusion: Not all PTS are suitable for the utilization of medicinal plants, emphasizing the need for preserving genetic reserves. The policy regarding medicinal plants should consider this aspect and prioritize multi-purpose rangeland plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining activities can result in a pollution legacy of metal and metalloid containing soils and wastes. In this study concentrations of the metals and metalloids Al, As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn, and the non-metals (P, S) were measured in the shoots of 35 different plant species spontaneously growing at four contaminated sites around the Sungun Copper Mine in East Azerbaijan (Iran) in order to evaluate their potential in phytoremediation of this area. The results show that metal and metalloid accumulation differed between the different species. None of the plant species exceeded the relevant trace element hyperaccumulation thresholds. Plant accumulation of Al was found to be relatively high in Achillea vermicularis (Asteraceae, with up to 5,280 μg g−1) and in Trifolium fragiferum (Fabaceae, with up to 4,895 µg g−1). Papaver dubium (Papaveraceae) had relatively high foliar Cu concentrations (with up to 294 µg g−1) while growing in the waste Rrock dump. Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae) had the highest concentrations of Pb (with up to 62 µg g−1). Most of the native species can be classed as metal-tolerant "excluder"-type species, and may, therefore, be suitable for phytostabilization of the mining wastes around the Sungun Copper Mine. Plants growing on metalliferous soils are threatened by mining and mineral extraction. Identifying the flora in metal-contaminated soils and mineral wastes is of great importance for biodiversity conservation and for their use in future reclamation programs. This study adds valuable information on the potential of native plants for use in the phytoremediation of copper mines in Iran, as well as in other parts of the world with a similar geology and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Climate change has been a serious issue in the last two decades, and many studies have focused on its various aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the habitat of rangeland species both for present and future under climate warning models. It seems necessary to checked whether the increase in temperature will have a positive or negative effect on the species distribution areas. Methodology: For this purpose, 19 bioclimatic and three physiographic variables though a logistic regression model were tested to quantify climate change in the next three decades (year 2050) and investigate its effects on the changes of Ferula ovina rangelands areas. The output maps were created and grouped into four classes with probability of occurrence between zero and one. These groups are unsuitable habitat (0-0.25), almost suitable habitat (0.5-2.5), habitat with high suitability (0.5-0.75) and habitat with very high suitability (0.75-1). Finally, based on the coefficients of climatic and topographical variables in the regression relationships, the effective variables for the current and the future rangelands area of F.ovina species were introduced. Results: Based on the results; among the climatic and topographical variables, only the indicators related to the average temperature of the hottest season (BIO10) and the average temperature of the coldest season (BIO11) were found to be effective on the distribution of F.ovina species. The values of the indicators increase as the climatic conditions become harsher. Over the next three decades, under milder (Rcp4.5) and pessimistic (Rcp8.5) scenarios, the average annual temperature will increase by 2.6 to 0.3°C. The height of suitable habitats will increase from 60 to 162 meters. As a result, the level of suitable habitat decreases in response to climate change. Under climate scenarios, 15% of suitable habitats will be lost in 2050, and current unsuitable habitats will increase by 48%. Overall; climate change and increase in temperature will cause vertical expansion and movement of F.ovina species to higher latitudes. This issue indicates that during the next three decades, the presence of F.ovina species will decrease in the current habitats of the region, and the risk of removing it from the southern Alborz ecosystems is evident. Conclusion: According to the results, large changes in the distribution of this species are expected to occur along with climate changes. These changes can limit the suitable climatic conditions for the life of this species. Therefore, in order to improve the conditions, it is recommended to control the destruction of the habitat of F.ovina species, through livestock grazing management and preventing the change of rangelands. In general, a protective approach should be applied in the mentioned habitats. In such a situation, we can hope that climate change, by itself, cannot eliminate this valuable species too much, weaken or even completely remove it from the flora of the region, and perhaps the physiological, phenological and morphological adaptations of this species will help fight against climate change. Therefore, while protecting it inside the habitat, it is necessary to think of measures to protect it outside the habitat. In this regard, collecting seeds and storing them in the gene bank of natural resources, introducing superior and drought-tolerant ecotypes with better structural and functional traits and preparing full-rooted seeds from them, cultivating them in small plots of one hectare in botanical gardens and plant collections and finally, rangeland seeding them in habitats with a poor condition is one of the basic requirements for protection outside the habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants change their environment's characteristics and specially soil properties to develop plant communities during their growth and adaptation. In this study, effects of halophyte patches surrounding Urmia Lake on chemical and physical properties of soil were investigated. In this regard, a vegetation type of Salsola nitraria and Aeluropus littoralis, which represents a broad area of salty pastures around Urmia Lake was chosen for field experiment, so 4 vegetation patches (ecological) were selected and the distance between them was considered as the bare soil without any cover (inter-patch space). Then along two transects with length of 150 meter which were established in parallel to the direct of slope, vegetation patches were measured and soil samples were taken from them and inter-patch spaces with four replications from two depths of soil profile. Soil samples of surface profile were taken from the soil surface up to 15 centimeter depth and the samples of second profile was taken from the depth of 15 to 30 centimeter. After drying the samples, their physical and chemical properties were measured and using independent T-test, the measured parameters were investigated for comparing the ecological patches and inter-patch spaces. The results showed that vegetation patches had significant effect on increasing soil total phosphorus and decreasing soil acidity, electrical conductivity, and soluble salts including sodium, potassium and calcium in soil samples of surface profile (0-15 cm) in patches and inter-patch areas, while there was not any significant difference in nitrogen and silt content of soil from patches and inter-patches. Moreover, comparing these properties in soil samples of second depth (15-30cm) showed that there weren't any significant differences between patches and inter-patches, and these results indicates the effect of vegetation patches and specially their roots on changing chemical properties of surface soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]