Hamid Reza Morady; Hamid Reza Pourghasemi; Majid Mohammdi; Mohammad Reza Mahdavifar
Volume 7, Issue 4 , July 2010
Abstract
Research aimed at showing element weight used fuzzy sets because of the limitation on the use of numbers. The benefit of this theory includes the range of numbers with an accompanying possibility of the degree of landslide that can be used instead of one number. Thus, when the fuzzy collections theory ...
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Research aimed at showing element weight used fuzzy sets because of the limitation on the use of numbers. The benefit of this theory includes the range of numbers with an accompanying possibility of the degree of landslide that can be used instead of one number. Thus, when the fuzzy collections theory is used for presenting weight factor, certainly a number is cannot determined for weight, but the only possible correct numbers provided more than other numbers may be close to correct its intended. The aim of this study was to supply landslide hazard zoning using gamma fuzzy operator in Haraz watershed. To achieve this objective, each factor having an impact on landslide occurrence - such as slope, aspect, elevation, lithology, land use, distance of road, distance of drainage, distance of fault and precipitation – were digitally mapped in a GIS environment. Landslide points were recognized using air photography and extensive field study and the level of correlation between each effective parameter in landslide occurrence with landslide points was determined using the frequency ratio model; fuzzy values were then determined using scientific ideas and a fuzzy membership function was obtained for each effective parameter in an Idrisi software environment. In this research for analysis we used different values of gamma. The results showed a gamma fuzzy operator with value975.0=l had best accuracy in making a landslide hazard susceptibility map in study area.
ohsen Abdollahi; Masuod Faryadi
Volume 7, Issue 4 , July 2010
Abstract
Due to increased environmental problems, most countries in the world charge a specified agency with responsibility for environmental protection. In Iran, this mission has been given to the Department of Environment (DoE). Notwithstanding the silent endeavors of this Department, there are a lot of problems ...
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Due to increased environmental problems, most countries in the world charge a specified agency with responsibility for environmental protection. In Iran, this mission has been given to the Department of Environment (DoE). Notwithstanding the silent endeavors of this Department, there are a lot of problems which are causing a deteriorating environment in Iran, particularly in terms of air, water and biological diversity. Inefficiency in the legislative system alongside the disorganization of the DoE, have led to inadequacy in the Department’s work. This inadequacy can be classed in three categories: law-related inefficiency of the Department; a lack of law governing inter-organizational relations; and, finally, ultra-organizational problems. These inefficiencies, in the absence of any comprehensive sustainable development programme, on the one hand, and the non-existence of any parliamentary supervision on environmental matters, on the other, have led to non-integrated and ineffective management of the environment in Iran. This article considers the integrated management approach as a suggested solution, inter alia by amending and incorporating the environmental laws into a single code and also by integrating environmental related agencies, including the DoE, in the form of a powerful Ministry.
Ali Reza Astaraei; Fereshteh Almasian
Volume 7, Issue 4 , July 2010
Abstract
The amount of municipal waste leachate produced during the process of composting of solid waste refuse is high, due to its higher moisture content. Therefore, improper collection methods and uses can cause environmental problems. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of municipal ...
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The amount of municipal waste leachate produced during the process of composting of solid waste refuse is high, due to its higher moisture content. Therefore, improper collection methods and uses can cause environmental problems. This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of municipal soild waste compost leachate (MSWC leachate) on yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with four irrigation treatments of different leachate-to-water ratios (T0=water, T20=20%,T40=40%, T60=60% V/V basis) in a completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Results obtained indicate the significant effect of different leachate to water ratios on ECe, pH, TN, available P and OC of soil, yield and yield components of wheat. ECe, TN, available P and OC of soil increased, but the soil pH decreased with MSWC leachate concentrations and the maximum was recorded for the T60 treatment. The number of grains per spike (more than 1.4 times), plant height(13.8%), grain weight per spike (more than 1.6 times), grain and straw yields (more than 1.5 and 1.6 times, respectively), and the ratio of grain weight to straw weight in a leachate-to-water ratio of 20/80 (T20) treatment increased when compared to their respective controls and the other treatments (p≤0.05). Spike length and 1000 grain weight in a leachate-to-water ratio of 20/80 (T20) treatment were not significantly different from their respective controls. Increasing the leachate concentrations to more than 20%, reduced yield and yield components of wheat compared to control, probably due to a soil salinity increase and its negative impacts on the parameters studied (p≤0.05).
Mohammad Reza Pour Jafar; Ali Reza Sadeghi; Ferial Ahmadi
Volume 7, Issue 4 , July 2010
Abstract
The current research has been designed to revive the natural landscape of Khoshk River as an alive and dynamic ecosystem of Shiraz city. In the revitalization process of this natural landscape, first the current status of the river bed have been studied and analyzed through recognizing its strengths, ...
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The current research has been designed to revive the natural landscape of Khoshk River as an alive and dynamic ecosystem of Shiraz city. In the revitalization process of this natural landscape, first the current status of the river bed have been studied and analyzed through recognizing its strengths, weaknesses, potentials and threats. Then, with an emphasis on sustainable landscape design principles in natural landscapes that emphasize the protection of natural resources, designs that show the ecological, cultural and social beauty of this natural landscape of Khoshk River and suggestions for organizing it have been presented. These suggestions emphasize the importance of protecting the airspace above the river bed in order to promote acceptance by migratory birds, eliminating incompatible developments such as the Namazi Hospital and Shiraz water refinery and constructing a water and soil dam in order to store water in low rainfall seasons and design the margins of the natural landscape of Khoshk River.
Asghar Zarabi; Saeid Movahedi; Hamid-Reza Rakhshaninasab
Volume 7, Issue 4 , July 2010
Abstract
Considering ecotourism as a spatial pattern is common in our contemporary world. From the bioenvironmental point of view, ecotourism maintains the environment and, from the economical viewpoint, it leads to economic dynamism in the local community by providing employment and income. Thus, recognizing ...
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Considering ecotourism as a spatial pattern is common in our contemporary world. From the bioenvironmental point of view, ecotourism maintains the environment and, from the economical viewpoint, it leads to economic dynamism in the local community by providing employment and income. Thus, recognizing the potentials and approaches toward developing natural tourism in different geographical regions is extremely significant. In this regard, the present study deals with assessment of the natural tourism potential of the Sistan area. This research aims at assessing the attractiveness of the ecotourism sites in Sistan, recognizing its ecotourism spatial development potentials, and determining approaches for reinforcing ecotourism at the regional level. This study employs a descriptive, analytical and survey method using 14 indexes, using the "cluster analysis" model. The findings show that the Chahnimeh natural wells of Sistan, Hamoon Lake and Khaje Mountain are the most attractive ones on the basis of attracting ecotourism because of enjoying high potentials (highly attractive). Kuhak dam, the forest Park of Jazinak, Hirmand River, Sistan dam and Zahak dam are all at the second level (middle attractive) because of the lack of cultural capacities, residential facilities, tasty and drinkable water. Finally, the desert landscape of Sistan is at the lowest level (low attractive) due to a lack of natural resources, limited environmental attractiveness, shortage of recreational equipment and the low level of accessibility and security. Therefore, considering developing the potentials of each area and providing appropriate facilities and equipment, the priority of spatial development can be put as low attractive, middle attractive and high attractive, respectively.
Masoud Sheidai; Sodabeh Jaffari; Zahra Noormohammadi
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Morphometric and molecular studies were performed on the three species and two varieties of Alopecurus. Numerical taxonomic studies were performed on 14 populations using 37 morphological characters. Clustering and PCA ordination separated the species studied in different clusters. Factor analysis identified ...
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Morphometric and molecular studies were performed on the three species and two varieties of Alopecurus. Numerical taxonomic studies were performed on 14 populations using 37 morphological characters. Clustering and PCA ordination separated the species studied in different clusters. Factor analysis identified the most variable morphological characteristics to be used in Alopecurus species delimitation. Out of ten RAPD primers used, five primers produce 115 bands. Six bands were common to all three species while the other bands were polymorph. Some bands were specific to A. myosuroides, while some other bands were specific for A. textilis and may be considered as loci for discriminating between these two species. UPGMA clustering and PCO ordination of the Alopecurus species based on RAPD data showed the species distinctiveness supporting the morphological results. A. arundinaceusalso showed greater similarity to A. myosuroides in its molecular characteristics indicating the use of RAPD data in Alopecurus species delimitation.
Sina Razzaghi Asl; Mohsen Faizi; Mostafa Behzadfar
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Urban Design and Landscape Architecture are designated as new arts /sciences that are formed through a combination of different artistic and scientific disciplines. The formal emergence of urban design happened in 1960's while landscape architecture existed from the beginning of 20thcentury. Success ...
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Urban Design and Landscape Architecture are designated as new arts /sciences that are formed through a combination of different artistic and scientific disciplines. The formal emergence of urban design happened in 1960's while landscape architecture existed from the beginning of 20thcentury. Success of these fields even after a century can mainly attributed to their focus on environmental quality of public realms in cities. The modernity of these two fields and activities regarding their goal and their view towards the aspects of the public domain, have resulted in ambiguous definitions which have made distinguishing them difficult. This article reviews the background features of the two fields such as definitions and approaches to understanding concepts and signifies the separating and identification points with suitable suggestions at the end. The results of this work show that the differences of the two fields, are related to the "scale and functional domain", "intrinsic emphases on particular environmental variables" and their "backgrounds". The identification points also depend on their association with architecture, urbanism and environmental design and management as the most important task.
Leyla Gheyrati Arani; Venkat Gunale
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Soil pollution is receiving greater and greater attention due to its direct impact on soil, water and public health. Remediation of soil is an important means of restoring soil back to natural condition. The present work was aimed to examining a method of soil decontamination by means of biodegradation ...
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Soil pollution is receiving greater and greater attention due to its direct impact on soil, water and public health. Remediation of soil is an important means of restoring soil back to natural condition. The present work was aimed to examining a method of soil decontamination by means of biodegradation which is of crucial ecological significance as its basic mechanisms are based on natural processes. A high percentage of hydrocarbon reduction was obtained during nutrient and bulking agent stimulation. During the first 30 days, the first-orderTPH degradation rate constant (k1) was lower for thetreatment without nutrients (natural attenuation) followed by the augmentation, augmentation plus stimulation and stimulation treatments respectively.
Naser Baghestani Maybodi; Mehdi Farahpour; Mohammad Taghi Zare
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
The effectiveness of prescribed fire as a range management tool was examined in this study in the Yazd province of Iran. One hectare of land was divided into four 20 x 125 m blocks. Blocks were split into five 20 x 25 m experimental plots. Seasonal burning was randomly applied on each plot in 2004. One ...
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The effectiveness of prescribed fire as a range management tool was examined in this study in the Yazd province of Iran. One hectare of land was divided into four 20 x 125 m blocks. Blocks were split into five 20 x 25 m experimental plots. Seasonal burning was randomly applied on each plot in 2004. One plot was also left unburnt as a control. Data were collected in 2005 and 2006 and analyzed. The results show that the response of species to fire varies within the season as well as among seasons. The minimum burning effect on vegetation cover was observed for the most desirable plant (Salsola rigida) in response to winter fire treatment. Fire eliminated both Artemisia sieberi and Stipa barbata, the two other important species found on the range. Reduction of undesirable species, such as Noaea mucronataand Cousinia deserti was also considerable. The percentage cover of other undesirable species, i.e. Scariola orientalis, did not change significantly (p < 0.05). We concluded that, although it burning eliminated some species, it could not eradicate all undesirable species. It also failed to promote the desired species in terms of vegetation cover. So, at least in the short term, burning is not considered a range improvement tool for steppe rangelands in Iran.
Alireza Farsi Mohammadi Pour
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Achieving sustainable architecture may be feasible by using renewable energies. Solar power can be exploited in building via photovoltaic and collectors to produce electricity and heat and it will lead to GHG reduction. Building integrated photovoltaic (BiPV) systems can form a cohesive design, construction, ...
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Achieving sustainable architecture may be feasible by using renewable energies. Solar power can be exploited in building via photovoltaic and collectors to produce electricity and heat and it will lead to GHG reduction. Building integrated photovoltaic (BiPV) systems can form a cohesive design, construction, and energy solution for the built environment. PVs produce electricity and have special aspects that can be utilized. The expressive and impressive aspect of a photovoltaic system designed and applied on the envelope of the buildings can not be ignored and the architect should appreciate PV's abilities to perform as an exterior material as well. Designing a BiPV needs a team in which everyone plays his/her own role to reach the maximum output through the system. This paper will analyze the best architectural form and specification of a BiPV in Tehran. In this research diagrams of annual and seasonal total of global radiation in Tehran will be produced. With regard to diagrams the best tilt angle will be discussed. Finally, some basic forms such as cube, prism and box will be analyzed to receive the maximum solar radiation and an isosceles triangle for the best choice.
Karl Hammer; Korous Khoshbakht
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Species richness in relation to crop plants is analyzed within the families of higher plants. Three groups have been made: (1) more than 10.000 species (5 families), (2) 1.000 to 10.000 species (50 families), (3) less than 1.000 species (20 families). Thus about 224.000 species from the estimated 250.000 ...
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Species richness in relation to crop plants is analyzed within the families of higher plants. Three groups have been made: (1) more than 10.000 species (5 families), (2) 1.000 to 10.000 species (50 families), (3) less than 1.000 species (20 families). Thus about 224.000 species from the estimated 250.000 species of higher plants have been included in this study. According to Hanelt and IPK (2001), altogether 7,000 species of crop plants exist. There is a positive correlation (r = + 0.56) between the number of crop plants and species diversity of the families. Important crop species within the selected families are indicated.
Mojtaba Rafieian; Esmaile Shieh; Ayoobb Sharifi
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Cities are complex and dynamic entities which are the main habitat of mankind. Nowadays cities are facing various challenges that threaten their quality and consequently that of urban residential areas. Developing relevant indicators is a vital step toward assessing these environments’ quality ...
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Cities are complex and dynamic entities which are the main habitat of mankind. Nowadays cities are facing various challenges that threaten their quality and consequently that of urban residential areas. Developing relevant indicators is a vital step toward assessing these environments’ quality and can led to better decision making. The aim of this paper is to develop a tool comprising relevant indicators and to assess their relative importance for measuring the environmental quality of dwellings and urban neighborhoods. Impetus for the research was a need to inform planning and policy decisions in the Tehran metropolitan area. Residents of two Tehran neighborhoods participated in this study. During interviews, respondents were presented with five tasks: an inventory task, an importance selection task, a grouping task, a ranking and rating task for groups of attributes, and finally, a ranking and rating task for attributes within each group. After acquiring the needed data, attribute weights were calculated using four weight estimation methods. Next, the effects of neighborhood, sex, and age on the observed differences in attribute weights were examined, and a Comparison between the methods of attributes weight calculation was conducted. Based on two cluster solution methods, attributes were assigned to different clusters. These resulting clusters were then used to design the empirical model of urban environmental quality. In the end, after comparing the results of current study with those of previous studies, some amendments are suggested to be incorporated in revision of Iranian urban planning process, and some implications are presented for urban development policy.
Faezeh Zaefarian; Mohammad Rezvani; Farhad Rejali; Mohammad Reza Ardakani; Ghorban Noormohammadi
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted to determine the phytoextractive ability of alfalfa plants both inoculated (I) and non-inoculated (I0) with Glomus mosseae under different combinations of heavy metal pollution. Alfalfa inoculated and non-inoculated plants were exposed to Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Cobalt ...
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A pot experiment was conducted to determine the phytoextractive ability of alfalfa plants both inoculated (I) and non-inoculated (I0) with Glomus mosseae under different combinations of heavy metal pollution. Alfalfa inoculated and non-inoculated plants were exposed to Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Cd*Co, Cd*Pb, Pb*Co and Cd*Pb*Co in a factorial experiment. The heavy metal concentrations in the leaves, stems, shoots and roots were measured. In inoculated and non-inoculated plants, contamination concentration in shoots was higher than in root. Findings indicated that in the triple metal treatment (Cd*Pb*Co) inoculated plants were preferred. This showed that G. mosseae tolerated intensive contamination and transferred contaminants to alfalfa shoots. These results suggest that alfalfa inoculated plants are potentially suitable for phytoextraction of heavy metals in multiple heavy metal stress
Yousef Filizadeh
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Flooding due to Caspian Sea level rise (CSLR) resulting from climate change may have serious ecological and socio-economic consequences. According to estimates from the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP), global warming until 2016 may cause a relative CSLR in Iranian coastal area of 20–120 cm. ...
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Flooding due to Caspian Sea level rise (CSLR) resulting from climate change may have serious ecological and socio-economic consequences. According to estimates from the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP), global warming until 2016 may cause a relative CSLR in Iranian coastal area of 20–120 cm. Rising the Caspian Sea level will not only inundate low-lying coastal regions, but it will also contribute to the redistribution of sediment along sandy coasts. In the present paper the possible impact of a CSLR of this magnitude on coastal habitat types is discussed based on topography at the Anzali Lagoon area in the North of Iran. Coastal marshes are susceptible to accelerated CSLR because their vertical accretion rates are limited and they may drown. As the Anzali Lagoon convert to the Caspian Sea, tidal exchange through inlets increases, which leads to sand sequestration on tidal deltas, erosion of adjacent barrier shorelines, and change the ecological conditions. The CSLR is expected to cause a change in groundwater level, a horizontal displacement of vegetation zones and a reduction in area, depending on accretion rate (sedimentation), local topography and inland land-use.
Homa Irani Behbahani; Behrang Bahrami; Firoozeh Agha Ebrahimi Samani
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
Parse (Persepolis) in Farvardin plain and Pasargadae in Marghab plain (two ancient cities in Fars Province) are well-known World Heritage archeological sites dating back to the Achaemenid period (560-330 BC), located in South-Central Iran. The present protective buffers for each site have been defined ...
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Parse (Persepolis) in Farvardin plain and Pasargadae in Marghab plain (two ancient cities in Fars Province) are well-known World Heritage archeological sites dating back to the Achaemenid period (560-330 BC), located in South-Central Iran. The present protective buffers for each site have been defined without any consideration of the natural and cultural landscapes that are the major criteria playing unique roles in their development. The area between Parse and Pasargadae along the Sivand River and Tang-e Bolaghi valley hosts significant natural, cultural and historical landscapes in which the above mentioned two sites are only two small representative heritages among the vast integrated landscape indicatinga spatial-temporal-cultural association .The results of this study are: (1) By studying the historical, natural and cultural context and consistency of Parse- Pasargadae region, the identification of a more suitable protective margin for Parse- Pasargadae, cultural landscape as a unified concept and also to prevent its destruction. (2) Identifying criteria for the cultural landscape (3) Recognition that the Qashqa'i pastoralists are a special Persian cultural index that has preserved this culture for thousands of years.
Nasserali Azimi; Janet Blake; Seyed Mohammad Mojabi
Volume 7, Issue 3 , April 2010
Abstract
A high priority has been placed in Iran in recent years on developing non-oil sources of income and tourism has been identified as one important area of the economy for development. The development of niche types of tourism such as ecotourism or cultural tourism – both the subject of this paper ...
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A high priority has been placed in Iran in recent years on developing non-oil sources of income and tourism has been identified as one important area of the economy for development. The development of niche types of tourism such as ecotourism or cultural tourism – both the subject of this paper -is clearly in line with the public policy objective of developing non-oil sources of income. Environmental protection is an obligation on the government under Principle 50 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic. It is therefore appropriate to consider what role the country’s vast cultural heritage resource can play in ensuring more environmentally sustainable forms of tourism development. Since even ecotourism developments can have negative environmental consequences by development of other forms of low intensity tourism (including cultural tourism) must be an important element in Iran’s policy agenda in this area. The promotion of cultural tourism in Iran should aim therefore to build on the positive impacts while minimising the negative ones. Policies for development of cultural tourism should also take into account the principles and objectives of sustainable development which are set out here within the context of tourism projects. A further reason to look at the role of cultural heritage in this respect is its intricate relationship with the natural environment, as evidenced by the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Environment of UNESCO. It should be remembered that heritage is a very broad concept that encompasses within its scope landscapes, archaeological sites and built environments as well as cultural practices and knowledge. All of these are relevant to the sustainable development and management of tourism. It also has a potential for contributing to sustainability in itself. This article will therefore consider the cultural heritage – as a tourism resource base - from all of these dimensions.
Mehran Loghmani; Ahmad Savari; Haji Gholi Kami; Parvin Sadeghi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
During the reproductive season from mid-March to June 2006 the biological importance of reproductive aspects of 41 individuals e.g. straight carapace length and width, weight, carapace curve length and width, plastron length, tail length, number of eggs, number of normal and abnormal egg, weight and ...
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During the reproductive season from mid-March to June 2006 the biological importance of reproductive aspects of 41 individuals e.g. straight carapace length and width, weight, carapace curve length and width, plastron length, tail length, number of eggs, number of normal and abnormal egg, weight and diameter of egg were recorded. Only 49% of individuals’ biometry leads to successful nesting. Grain size analysis in the egg laying area is between 2 to 0.063 mm and in some areas with maximum successful nesting it reaches 0.25 to 0.125mm. The average weight and straight length of hawksbill turtles were 44.45 kg and 65.22 cm in comparison with other Iranian Islands and the Persian Gulf which have a similar average rate and, when compared with other parts of the world, have the minimum length and maximum weight. The length and weight distribution showed that hawksbill turtles that are coming to these shores are of a different age group. Out of 41 hawksbill turtles, the average egg diameter and weight were 30.45g; similar measurements have been shown in other parts of the Iranian Islands and Persian Gulf but, in comparison with other parts of the world, it represents a minimum of total eggs that have a maximum average diameter and weight. Finally, in conclusion, the turtles of Hormoz Island and the Persian Gulf region have shown a smaller body size and the minimum number of eggs compared with other parts of the world. But the egg size was bigger and this could influence the survival rate for hatchlings.
Roshana Behbash; Ardeshir Amini; Rahim Alvandi; Khadijeh Khakjaste
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
The Khoramshahr (Naseri) marsh is a manmade wetland that lies about 17 Km North of Khoramshahr created in 2000 by discharged sugarcane waste water. Results of the direct census conducted (by total count) during 2002–2008 shows the number of species, population size and density of birds in this ...
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The Khoramshahr (Naseri) marsh is a manmade wetland that lies about 17 Km North of Khoramshahr created in 2000 by discharged sugarcane waste water. Results of the direct census conducted (by total count) during 2002–2008 shows the number of species, population size and density of birds in this wetland to have increased. The coot (Fulica atra), with population of 75,000 in 2008, had the highest population size. The highest population size and number of species were 194,464 birds in 2008 and 32 species in 2007, respectively. The Shannon diversity index was the highest in 2008 (H'=2.27). This shows that the distribution of bird populations was more homogeneous in this than in other years. The Khoramshahr Marsh conforms with some of Ramsar Convention criteria and with some criteria of IBA (special second criteria in second category). By the application of 5 criteria (birds, fishes, threats, socio-economic criteria and conservation status) determined that, among 75 important wetlands in Iran, the Khoramshahr Marsh is in the 63rd rank after Khoram wetland .
Elham Ghasemi Ziarani; Shahrzad Faryadi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Karaj dam watershed which is the main source of drinking water for the city of Tehran and the surrounding area has been confronted with a reduction of water quality in the recent years. Ecological land use evaluation using GIS aimed to determining suitability of existent land uses, analysis of 10 years’ ...
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Karaj dam watershed which is the main source of drinking water for the city of Tehran and the surrounding area has been confronted with a reduction of water quality in the recent years. Ecological land use evaluation using GIS aimed to determining suitability of existent land uses, analysis of 10 years’ (1998-2007) water pollutant averages for determining the river quality and SWOT analysis for recognizing weakness and threats of water quality and strengths and opportunities for its improvement have all been used in this research. The results of these 3 methods have been integrated into a hierarchical process for the zoning of Karaj dam watershed’s polluting potentials. As a result five zones - very few, few, average, high and very high pollution potentials - have been identified. The decision making process for reducing the pollution potential of basin zones may be facilitated by taking into consideration the zoning and the time/budget constraints. Keywords: Zoning, Karaj dam, Polluting potential, Ecological land use evaluation, SWOT.
Omid Esmailzadeh; Seyyed Mohsen Hosseini; Mansour Mesdaghi; Masoud Tabari; ahangard Mohammadi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
The objective of this research was to classify Darkola oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) plant communities in Pol-sefid in Mazandaran Province on the basis of the above ground vegetation and soil seed bank floristic dataset. We also tested whether above ground plant communities can be recognized ...
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The objective of this research was to classify Darkola oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) plant communities in Pol-sefid in Mazandaran Province on the basis of the above ground vegetation and soil seed bank floristic dataset. We also tested whether above ground plant communities can be recognized by a soil seed bank dataset. For this purpose 52 releves with an area 400 m2 were made at the peak of the growing season during June 2006 by a systematic-selective method and by consideration of the indicator stands concept. Vegetation data were recorded separately for each life form. In each releve, soil samples were also collected using 20 cm × 20 cm square metal frame in six repetitions at the beginning of the 2007 growth season. The metal frame was hammered into the soil to a depth 10 cm. This study used the seedling emergence approach to recognize the size and richness of species composition in the seed bank. By using two way indicator species analysis, TWINSPAN, four plant communities were separately recognized in two series as above ground plant communities and underground (soil seed bank) plant communities based on the relative density of total plant species identified in the soil seed bank and the percentage cover of each species in above ground vegetation dataset matrices surveyed, respectively. Above ground and underground plant communities’ fitness was estimated at 68% based on similar membership of releves in each plant community, when they were separately classified from the soil seed bank and above ground vegetation points of view. Results of discriminant analysis and detrended analysis revealed that classification of plant communities on the basis of the above ground vegetation dataset led to forming distinguishable and separate groups whereas the soil seed bank dataset, since it was generally composed of pioneer plant species, could not display distinct plant communities. As a result, we concluded that soil seed bank floristic data were not suitable for plant community classification even though they were related to some physiographical properties. The results of indicator species analysis (IV) approved that there are four groups of indicator plants which characterized Darkola oriental beech forest into four distanced above ground plant communities including: Fagus orientalis with Danae racemosaunderstory type, Fagus orientalis- Acer velutinum types, Fagus orientalis with Mercurialis perennis understory and Fagus orientalis with Vaccinium arctostaphylos understory.
Maryam Pezhmanmehr; Mohammad Esmail Hassani; Mohammad Fakhre Tabatabaie; Javad Hadian
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Bunium persicum (Boiss) is a valuable medicinal plant native to Iran which grows wild in various parts of Iran. In the present study, genetic diversity was investigated within and among some populations of B. persicum collected from the main growing areas of this plant in Iran using RAPD markers. Fifteen ...
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Bunium persicum (Boiss) is a valuable medicinal plant native to Iran which grows wild in various parts of Iran. In the present study, genetic diversity was investigated within and among some populations of B. persicum collected from the main growing areas of this plant in Iran using RAPD markers. Fifteen RAPD primers produced a total of two hundred and twenty-nine bands, with two hundred and sixteen (94%) polymorphic bands between single plants of six investigated populations. Popgene softwarewas used to describe population structure thought calculation of Shannon's information index and Nei's gene diversity analysis. Genetic diversity within a population from Ghazvin Province was more than other populations and, within it, the population of Saghafy was less than others. Calculation of the ratio of the effective number of alleles to observed number of alleles within each population showed that the populations had equal distributions in agreement with the Hardy-Wienberg equilibrium. Also, a high Fst index derived by this study showed that the populations investigated were completely different from each other and had independent evolution. In UPGMA derived dendrogram based on the Jaccard similarity matrix, in most cases different individuals belonging to the same population were represented in different groups, showing a high level of genetic variation within all populations. The available genetic diversity of B. persicum must be considered in domestication, breeding and conservation programs.
Mohammad Hossein Ramazani Ghavamabadi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Environmental components, including animal species, simply cross political boundaries and, in other words, animal species do not recognize borders. For this reason, the most important methods applied by international instruments to protect these species and their habitats are reviewed in this article. ...
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Environmental components, including animal species, simply cross political boundaries and, in other words, animal species do not recognize borders. For this reason, the most important methods applied by international instruments to protect these species and their habitats are reviewed in this article. In the second half of the 20th century, numerous international texts have been adopted, especially aimed at ensuring the protection of species and habitat of wildlife. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora or CITES (also known as the Washington Convention) of1973 is one of the most important international conventions on the protection of animal species. In parallel with these international developments, various national legislative systems have been adopted different regulations for the protection of animal species. The diversity of rules in different countries clearly shows the approach of each State with regard to infringements committed against animals. In Iranian law, as many other countries, several legislative provisions in respect of animal species have been adopted. In this work, we will only address the criminal law as it relates to the Iranian Law of Hunting and Fishing as lex specialis and the Iranian Penal Code as lex generalis. The choice of the provisions mentioned is not by chance since not only are they relatively broad in scope but also they are the laws in force in this area.
Omid Bahmani; Saeed Broomand Nasab; Majid Behzad; Abd Ali Naseri
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3-N) and ammonium (NH4-N) leaching from agricultural soils can represent substantial losses of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, but a large variation in N losses has been reported. The objectives of this study were to assess the accumulation and movement of nitrate and ammonium in the soil profile ...
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Nitrate (NO3-N) and ammonium (NH4-N) leaching from agricultural soils can represent substantial losses of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, but a large variation in N losses has been reported. The objectives of this study were to assess the accumulation and movement of nitrate and ammonium in the soil profile over the study period under different irrigation and fertilizer conditions. So, N concentration and its leaching were studied under three N fertilizer and three irrigation treatments during 2007 Khuzestan Province, Iran. The irrigation treatments consisted of full irrigation (I1) and 85 (I2) and 70 (I3) percent of I1. Also, the N treatments were 150 (N1), 250 (N2) and 350 (N3) kg/ha. Soil sampling was conducted in June, July, August and September from the soil surface to 1.2 m depth at intervals of 0.3 m depth. We used the LEACHM model for nitrate (NO3-N) and ammonium (NH4-N) simulation, and their comparison with measured data. The amount of application of nitrogen and irrigation treatments indicated their important role in the accumulation of nitrate and ammonium in the soil profile. In this study, a high concentration of NO3-N was observed in I3N3 and also a high concentration of NH4-N accrued in the I3N3 and I3N2 treatment. After some time, Nitrate leached to subsurface depths and by the end of sampling (September) the concentration at the 0-30 cm depth was zero. The model was calibrated with a change in nitrification, denitrification and N volatilization for the three N treatments and model accuracy was increased after calibration so that Willmott's index for NO3-N and NH4-N after calibration was 0.56 to 0.98 and 0.76 to 0.96, respectively.
Mohammad Javad Amiri; Abdolrasoul Salman Mahini; Seyed Gholamali Jalali; Seyyed Mohsen Hosseini; Froad Azari Dehkordi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
In this research, two methods were utilized for assessing the ecological capability of forestry: the overlay maps systemic and Boolean-Fuzzy Logic (BFL) methods. To assess the ecological capability of forest land, it is essential to deploy precise ecological factors of a forest ecosystem such as its ...
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In this research, two methods were utilized for assessing the ecological capability of forestry: the overlay maps systemic and Boolean-Fuzzy Logic (BFL) methods. To assess the ecological capability of forest land, it is essential to deploy precise ecological factors of a forest ecosystem such as its physiography, topography, altitude, slope, soil, bedrock, precipitation, temperature, and natural factors like vegetation density, annual increment, and the special value of plant species. Therefore, overlay methodology and Boolean logic were used to evaluate the ecological capability of sub watersheds Nos. 33 and 34 that cover an area of 32,526 ha near Tonekabon in Mazandaran Province of Iran. Our findings after using the conventional Boolean Model revealed that there are categories 3, 5, 6, and 7 of forest capability in the area, although the category 3 area was dominant. On the other hand, when the same methodology was used but, instead of the Boolean-Logic (BL) the ‘Boolean-Fuzzy-Logic’ (BFL) was deployed and after weighting of parameters by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the seven complete categories for forest layers have been detected in the Geographic Information System (GIS) layers. These findings can emphasize the improvement of BFL methodology against the conventional BL for assessment of the ecological capability of forests in the northern part of Iran.
Ehsan Parvane Aval; Maede Dehghani Tafti; Bahram Kiab
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
This survey was undertaken during seven months (March – October) in 2007 in the Sabzevar region.The lizards were captured on seven one-ha plots (100m×100m), based on vegetation change. The lizards were sampled using two methods: the first consisted of padding and the second sampling method ...
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This survey was undertaken during seven months (March – October) in 2007 in the Sabzevar region.The lizards were captured on seven one-ha plots (100m×100m), based on vegetation change. The lizards were sampled using two methods: the first consisted of padding and the second sampling method was accomplished using pitfall trapping. For the latter, twenty pitfall traps were established in each plot and were placed in a random-systematic design within a plot. Overall, we captured 151 specimens belonging of four familes, eight genera and 12 species. For measuring the diversity we used the Shannon-Wiener,N1, Simpson andHill indices and, for measuring evenness, we used theCamargo,Simpson and Smith and Wilson indices. In addition, we used the Rarefaction Method for equating data and measuring species richness. Finally, with regard to the results obtained by the different indices we found that, the relationship between crown coverage and species diversity, evenness, richness and abundance has a positive correlation. For the diversity indices, these were: Shannon-Wiener (r=0.84, R2=0.70), N1(r=0.65, R2=0.42), Hill (r=0.81, R2=0.65), Simpson (r=0.82, R2=0.67). For the evenness indices: Simpson(r=0.3, R2=0.01), Smith and Wilson (r=0.5, R2=0.25) and Camargo (r=0.36, R2=0.13). In addition, another positive correlation was shown between crown coverage and species abundance (r=0.97, R2=0.93) and species richness (r=0.77, R2=0.6).
