The Effect of Conservation Rate and Types of Utilization on Species diversity and Flora Composition of Medicinal Plants in protected areas close to Golestan National Park

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Graduate student of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

3 invited Professor at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

4 Assistant Professor, Institute of Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Management methods and utilization levels may significantly affect species diversity in the protected regions. Therefore in this research, 3 protected sites were selected in the marginal rural areas at the eastern edge of Golestan National Park, Iran. Dasht, Chashmehkhan and Robat Gharebill villages were respectively under use by human, livestock and wildlife. In May 2018, 3 modified Whitaker plots were established. Each plot included 3 quadrates of 100 m2, 6 quadrates of 10 m2 and 30 quadrates of 1 m2. Total plant diversity and diversity of medicinal plants were highest in Dasht and lowest in Chshmehkhan sites. Intense livestock grazing in Cheshmehkhan led to higher (27%) proportion of medicinal plants, but the plant species were mainly annuals and spiny with low medicinal values. In contrast, highest number of valuable medicinal plants and high number of endemic species were in Dasht site, where slight utilization were done by local inhabitants. In conclusion, livestock grazing may lead to the highest negative impacts on reducing diversity of total plants and medicinal plants as compared to the wildlife and human use.

Keywords

Abbasi,SH.,Afsharzadeh,S., A review of biodiversity measurement method in  vegetation covers of Iran, Student National Conservation Ecology Conference.pp.44-51.(in Persian)
 Akhani ,H.2000.species diversity in Golestan National Park, Collection of paleoecology and biodiversity articles.Pp 217-237.
Baghani,M.2007, Determination  of suitable species diversity model for plant communities (a Case study: mountainous rangeland Ziarat Basin Gorgan, Iran).thesis M.Sc.Degree in Rangland Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resource.110p.
Bagheri,A.,Ghorbani,R.,Bananian aval,M.,Shafner,A.,2012. Effect of different levels of environmental protection on plant species diversity. Agricultural Ecology Journal1,60-69. (In Persian)
Behmanesh,B.,Heshmati,GH.,Baghani,M.,2008. Determination of species diversity of medicinal plants in mountainous rangelands of Chaharbagh in Golestan province. Scientific Journal of Rangeland2,141-150. (in Persian)
Faryabi,N.,Mesdaghi,M.,Bagheri,R.2011. Comparison of species diversity and richness in three levels of rangeland exploitation of  Khabar National Park and neighboring areas. Scientific Journal of Rangeland.171-180.(in Persian)
Hosseini,S., Abarsegi,GH, Hosseini,S.,2008. Medicinal Plants of Golestan Province. Medicinal and aromatic plants of Iran4,472-498.(in Persian)
Krebs, C. J., 1998. Ecological methodology. 2nd Ed. Addison Wesley Longman, Menlo Park, California. 620p. Mesdaghi,M.2005.Plant Ecology. Publications University of Mashhad.187p
Metzger, K.L., Coughenour, M.B., Reich, R.M., and Boone, R.B. 2005. Effects of seasonal grazing on plant species diversity and vegetation structure in a semi-arid ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 61: 147-160.
Mohebbi,A., Mirzaie,M.2013.compersion indexes of diversity,dominance,richness and evenness in condition of protected and unprotected. Jurnal of forest and rangland97,33-39.
 Mozafarian,V.2012. Recognition of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Iran. Computer Unit and Contemporary Culture Printing.1444p.
 Nemati peykani,M.,Jalilian,N.2012. Medicinal plants of  Kermanshah province. Taxonomy and Biosystematics Journal11,69-78. (In Persian)
Nikan,M.,Ejtehadi,H.,Jangju,M.,Memariani,F.,Hassanpour,H.,Nodost,F.2011. Floristic study and comparison of plant biodiversity in different grazing intensities in Baharkish  Ghoochan rangelands. Journal of Range and Desert Research of Iran19.306-320.(in  Persian)
Nodehi,N.,Akbarlo,M.2015. Investigating the diversity of plant species in Asadali-Polymes summer rangelands in North Khorasan Province, Journal of Environmental Science and Technology5,535-547.(in Persian)
Olszewski, T.D. 2004. A unified mathematical framework for the measurement of richness and evenness within and among multiple communities. Oikos 104: 377-387.
Pueyoa, Y., Aladosa, C.L., and Ferrer-Benimeli, C. 2006. Is the analysis of plant community structure better than common species-diversity indices for assessing the effects of livestock grazing on a Mediterranean arid ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 64: 698-712
Rassam, Gh., Gholami, M., Assadi, Gh., Dadkhah, A. 2009. Extinction of plant species, serious threat of biodiversity in natural ecosystems (case study, pharmaceutical flora of Shirvan area. Second National Conference on Ecological Agriculture of Iran, 10-17.(in Persian)
Van der Maarel,E.1988. species diversity in plant communities in relation tostructure and dynamics in: During, H.J., M.J.A. Werger & H.J. Willems, editors. Diversity and pattern in plant communities. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, the  Netherlands.Pp:1-14