Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
مرتع 2026, 20(1): 97-113 |
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Investigation of environmental factors affecting the distribution of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. in the rangelands of Khorasan Razavi Province. مرتع 2026; 20 (1) :97-113
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1348-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1348-en.html
Abstract: (736 Views)
Background and Objective: Understanding vegetation composition and the ecological and edaphic characteristics of natural habitats supporting endangered and medicinal plant species is fundamental for effective conservation and ecological restoration. Conserving and expanding the distribution of medicinal plants in natural ecosystems is also of considerable ecological, economic, and social importance. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the key environmental factors influencing the distribution of the medicinal plant Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.
Methodology: The habitat characteristics of S. lavandulifolia were investigated in four regions of northeastern Iran: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. A total of 50 vegetation plots were established, and soil samples were collected from the 0–30 cm depth. In each plot, vegetation attributes, including species composition, percentage cover, plant density, and the proportions of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel cover, were recorded. Habitat variables, including elevation, slope, aspect, and mean annual precipitation, were also measured. Soil analyses included soil moisture at saturation, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen, organic carbon, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, clay, and sand content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed using Jamovi and R software to evaluate the relationships between environmental variables and the distribution of S. lavandulifolia.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia occurred at elevations ranging from 1,834 to 2,420 m above sea level, primarily on gentle to moderately sloping sites receiving 250–350 mm of annual precipitation. The Layen region exhibited the highest values of plant density, canopy cover, biomass production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat was characterized by higher soil moisture and predominantly northeast-facing slopes. Based on the abundance-to-frequency (A/F) ratio, the species displayed a tussock (clumped) distribution pattern. Analysis of associated vegetation showed the greatest companion species richness in Layen and the lowest in Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. Principal Component Analysis revealed that the first two principal components explained approximately 89.7% of the total variation in environmental variables. Organic matter, sodium, and soil organic carbon showed the strongest positive loadings on the first principal component, whereas slope exhibited the strongest negative loading.
Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the vegetation structure and soil characteristics of habitats supporting Stachys lavandulifolia. The results identify the principal environmental factors governing the species' distribution and offer valuable information for habitat conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable management. These findings can also serve as a scientific basis for identifying and developing suitable habitats for the conservation and potential expansion of this medicinal species in ecologically similar regions.
Methodology: The habitat characteristics of S. lavandulifolia were investigated in four regions of northeastern Iran: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. A total of 50 vegetation plots were established, and soil samples were collected from the 0–30 cm depth. In each plot, vegetation attributes, including species composition, percentage cover, plant density, and the proportions of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel cover, were recorded. Habitat variables, including elevation, slope, aspect, and mean annual precipitation, were also measured. Soil analyses included soil moisture at saturation, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen, organic carbon, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, clay, and sand content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed using Jamovi and R software to evaluate the relationships between environmental variables and the distribution of S. lavandulifolia.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia occurred at elevations ranging from 1,834 to 2,420 m above sea level, primarily on gentle to moderately sloping sites receiving 250–350 mm of annual precipitation. The Layen region exhibited the highest values of plant density, canopy cover, biomass production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat was characterized by higher soil moisture and predominantly northeast-facing slopes. Based on the abundance-to-frequency (A/F) ratio, the species displayed a tussock (clumped) distribution pattern. Analysis of associated vegetation showed the greatest companion species richness in Layen and the lowest in Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. Principal Component Analysis revealed that the first two principal components explained approximately 89.7% of the total variation in environmental variables. Organic matter, sodium, and soil organic carbon showed the strongest positive loadings on the first principal component, whereas slope exhibited the strongest negative loading.
Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the vegetation structure and soil characteristics of habitats supporting Stachys lavandulifolia. The results identify the principal environmental factors governing the species' distribution and offer valuable information for habitat conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable management. These findings can also serve as a scientific basis for identifying and developing suitable habitats for the conservation and potential expansion of this medicinal species in ecologically similar regions.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/09/22 | Accepted: 2026/02/25 | Published: 2026/04/4
Received: 2025/09/22 | Accepted: 2026/02/25 | Published: 2026/04/4
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