Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
مرتع 2026, 20(1): 0-0 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Investigation of environmental factors affecting the distribution of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. in the rangelands of Khorasan Razavi Province. مرتع 2026; 20 (1)
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1348-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1348-en.html
Abstract: (43 Views)
Background and Purpose: Understanding vegetation cover and the ecological and edaphic characteristics of natural habitats hosting endangered or medicinal species is essential for conservation and restoration planning. The preservation and expansion of plant distribution particularly medicinal species in natural resource areas are also vital from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the environmental factors influencing the distribution of the medicinal plant Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.
Materials and Methods: The habitat conditions of S. lavandulifolia were examined in four regions: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm across 50 plots. Plant traits and habitat characteristics, including altitude, mean annual rainfall, slope, and aspect, were recorded. For each plot, the species list, percentage cover, density, and the proportion of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel were measured. Soil parameters included saturation moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbon, organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, clay, and sand. Climatic, topographic, and soil data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Jamovi and R to determine the relationship between environmental factors and species distribution.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia was found at elevations ranging from 1834 to 2420 m above sea level, in areas with low to moderate slopes and annual rainfall between 250 and 350 mm. The Layen site exhibited the highest density, cover, production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat had higher moisture content and a northeast-facing slope. Based on the A/F ratio, the species showed a tussock-type distribution pattern. Companion species analysis revealed the highest abundance at Layen and the lowest at Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. PCA results indicated that the first two axes explained approximately 89.7% of the total variance. Among the variables, organic matter, sodium, and organic carbon had the strongest positive correlations, while slope had the strongest negative correlation with the first axis.
Conclusion: This study provides detailed insights into the vegetation composition and soil characteristics of habitats containing S. lavandulifolia. The findings support the development of targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies for this endangered species. Identifying key ecological factors governing its growth and distribution can help guide habitat restoration efforts and facilitate the expansion of suitable environments in other regions with comparable ecological conditions.
Background and Purpose: Understanding vegetation cover and the ecological and edaphic characteristics of natural habitats hosting endangered or medicinal species is essential for conservation and restoration planning. The preservation and expansion of plant distribution particularly medicinal species in natural resource areas are also vital from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the environmental factors influencing the distribution of the medicinal plant Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.
Materials and Methods: The habitat conditions of S. lavandulifolia were examined in four regions: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm across 50 plots. Plant traits and habitat characteristics, including altitude, mean annual rainfall, slope, and aspect, were recorded. For each plot, the species list, percentage cover, density, and the proportion of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel were measured. Soil parameters included saturation moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbon, organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, clay, and sand. Climatic, topographic, and soil data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Jamovi and R to determine the relationship between environmental factors and species distribution.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia was found at elevations ranging from 1834 to 2420 m above sea level, in areas with low to moderate slopes and annual rainfall between 250 and 350 mm. The Layen site exhibited the highest density, cover, production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat had higher moisture content and a northeast-facing slope. Based on the A/F ratio, the species showed a tussock-type distribution pattern. Companion species analysis revealed the highest abundance at Layen and the lowest at Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. PCA results indicated that the first two axes explained approximately 89.7% of the total variance. Among the variables, organic matter, sodium, and organic carbon had the strongest positive correlations, while slope had the strongest negative correlation with the first axis.
Conclusion: This study provides detailed insights into the vegetation composition and soil characteristics of habitats containing S. lavandulifolia. The findings support the development of targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies for this endangered species. Identifying key ecological factors governing its growth and distribution can help guide habitat restoration efforts and facilitate the expansion of suitable environments in other regions with comparable ecological conditions.
Materials and Methods: The habitat conditions of S. lavandulifolia were examined in four regions: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm across 50 plots. Plant traits and habitat characteristics, including altitude, mean annual rainfall, slope, and aspect, were recorded. For each plot, the species list, percentage cover, density, and the proportion of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel were measured. Soil parameters included saturation moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbon, organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, clay, and sand. Climatic, topographic, and soil data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Jamovi and R to determine the relationship between environmental factors and species distribution.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia was found at elevations ranging from 1834 to 2420 m above sea level, in areas with low to moderate slopes and annual rainfall between 250 and 350 mm. The Layen site exhibited the highest density, cover, production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat had higher moisture content and a northeast-facing slope. Based on the A/F ratio, the species showed a tussock-type distribution pattern. Companion species analysis revealed the highest abundance at Layen and the lowest at Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. PCA results indicated that the first two axes explained approximately 89.7% of the total variance. Among the variables, organic matter, sodium, and organic carbon had the strongest positive correlations, while slope had the strongest negative correlation with the first axis.
Conclusion: This study provides detailed insights into the vegetation composition and soil characteristics of habitats containing S. lavandulifolia. The findings support the development of targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies for this endangered species. Identifying key ecological factors governing its growth and distribution can help guide habitat restoration efforts and facilitate the expansion of suitable environments in other regions with comparable ecological conditions.
Background and Purpose: Understanding vegetation cover and the ecological and edaphic characteristics of natural habitats hosting endangered or medicinal species is essential for conservation and restoration planning. The preservation and expansion of plant distribution particularly medicinal species in natural resource areas are also vital from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the environmental factors influencing the distribution of the medicinal plant Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl.
Materials and Methods: The habitat conditions of S. lavandulifolia were examined in four regions: Layen, Bajgiran, Zharf, and Baharkish. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm across 50 plots. Plant traits and habitat characteristics, including altitude, mean annual rainfall, slope, and aspect, were recorded. For each plot, the species list, percentage cover, density, and the proportion of bare soil, litter, and rock/gravel were measured. Soil parameters included saturation moisture, pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbon, organic matter, calcium, phosphorus, clay, and sand. Climatic, topographic, and soil data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in Jamovi and R to determine the relationship between environmental factors and species distribution.
Results: Stachys lavandulifolia was found at elevations ranging from 1834 to 2420 m above sea level, in areas with low to moderate slopes and annual rainfall between 250 and 350 mm. The Layen site exhibited the highest density, cover, production, frequency, and abundance. This habitat had higher moisture content and a northeast-facing slope. Based on the A/F ratio, the species showed a tussock-type distribution pattern. Companion species analysis revealed the highest abundance at Layen and the lowest at Baharkish. The dominant companion species were Agropyron trichophorum in Layen and Festuca arundinacea in Baharkish. PCA results indicated that the first two axes explained approximately 89.7% of the total variance. Among the variables, organic matter, sodium, and organic carbon had the strongest positive correlations, while slope had the strongest negative correlation with the first axis.
Conclusion: This study provides detailed insights into the vegetation composition and soil characteristics of habitats containing S. lavandulifolia. The findings support the development of targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies for this endangered species. Identifying key ecological factors governing its growth and distribution can help guide habitat restoration efforts and facilitate the expansion of suitable environments in other regions with comparable ecological conditions.
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
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
