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Heydari Q, Zamani Z. Investigating the effect of small rodent activity on the decline of Astragalus sempervirens L. in the Sangraj rangeland of Savadkuh. مرتع 2025; 19 (1)
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1299-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1299-en.html
Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University
Abstract: (548 Views)
Background and purpose: The presence of plants such as Astragalus in rangelands, especially in highlands, can play an important role in protecting the biodiversity of rangeland plants, and considering the role of rangelands in the country's economy and water and soil conservation, studying the effect of ecological factors on rangeland changes is of great importance. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of small rodent activity on the decline of the Astragalus sempervirens species.
materials and methods: For this purpose, a study was conducted in 2023 in the Sangraj summer rangeland of Savadkuh. Given the presence of the Astragalus species as the dominant vegetation type along the three northern, eastern, and western domains of the region, the present study was conducted in the three mentioned domains. First, the target area was surveyed. Then, along the visible changes and the desired domains, a 100-meter long transect was systematically and randomly placed in plots with dimensions of 2×2 m2, and the number of Astragalus stands and the number of holes created due to the presence of Rodents at the base of the Astragalus stands were recorded. Soil samples were also taken from a depth of 0-50 cm with three repetitions in the mentioned domains and transferred to the laboratory. Rodent activity was also recorded at the base of the drying shrubs and the type of rodent present in the area was identified. The data obtained were evaluated by SPSSver.22 software.
Results: The results showed that the type of rodent found in the area was the Snow Vole with the scientific name Chionomys nivalis, and the domain had a significant effect on the number of Astragalus stands, holes created, and soil indicators. Comparison of the average number of Astragalus stands and holes in the studied domains indicated that the number of Astragalus stands (4533) and holes (3067) was significantly higher in the northern domain of the region. The soil texture of the region was also sandy-loamy in the northern and eastern domains and loamy-sandy in the western domain, and there was a significant difference in terms of soil essential elements and Organic Matter between the domains. So that the amount of Nitrogen (0.25 %), Phosphorus (12.21 mg/g), Potassium (760.43 mg/g), and Organic Matter (6.84 %) was significantly higher in the northern slope. The results of the correlation coefficient between the number of Astragalus stands and the holes created with the domain and soil indices also showed that the number of Astragalus stands has a positive and significant correlation with the parameters of domain, number of holes, Clay, P and K at the 1% level. Also, the most consumed soil nutrients including N, P and K showed a positive and significant correlation with the sampling domain at the 1% level.
Conclusion: The results showed that the increase in the amount of soil macronutrients and Organic Matter in the northern domain has resulted in an increase in the number of Astragalus stands. On the other hand, Astragalus, due to their symbiosis with the bacteria Rhizobium, enrich the soil, which consequently increases the invasion of rodents and their use of Astragalus roots, which has led to the gradual drying and destruction of Astragaluses, and this provides conditions for the establishment of invasive species. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the negative effects of rodent activities around Astragalus roots in order to manage rangeland ecosystems.
materials and methods: For this purpose, a study was conducted in 2023 in the Sangraj summer rangeland of Savadkuh. Given the presence of the Astragalus species as the dominant vegetation type along the three northern, eastern, and western domains of the region, the present study was conducted in the three mentioned domains. First, the target area was surveyed. Then, along the visible changes and the desired domains, a 100-meter long transect was systematically and randomly placed in plots with dimensions of 2×2 m2, and the number of Astragalus stands and the number of holes created due to the presence of Rodents at the base of the Astragalus stands were recorded. Soil samples were also taken from a depth of 0-50 cm with three repetitions in the mentioned domains and transferred to the laboratory. Rodent activity was also recorded at the base of the drying shrubs and the type of rodent present in the area was identified. The data obtained were evaluated by SPSSver.22 software.
Results: The results showed that the type of rodent found in the area was the Snow Vole with the scientific name Chionomys nivalis, and the domain had a significant effect on the number of Astragalus stands, holes created, and soil indicators. Comparison of the average number of Astragalus stands and holes in the studied domains indicated that the number of Astragalus stands (4533) and holes (3067) was significantly higher in the northern domain of the region. The soil texture of the region was also sandy-loamy in the northern and eastern domains and loamy-sandy in the western domain, and there was a significant difference in terms of soil essential elements and Organic Matter between the domains. So that the amount of Nitrogen (0.25 %), Phosphorus (12.21 mg/g), Potassium (760.43 mg/g), and Organic Matter (6.84 %) was significantly higher in the northern slope. The results of the correlation coefficient between the number of Astragalus stands and the holes created with the domain and soil indices also showed that the number of Astragalus stands has a positive and significant correlation with the parameters of domain, number of holes, Clay, P and K at the 1% level. Also, the most consumed soil nutrients including N, P and K showed a positive and significant correlation with the sampling domain at the 1% level.
Conclusion: The results showed that the increase in the amount of soil macronutrients and Organic Matter in the northern domain has resulted in an increase in the number of Astragalus stands. On the other hand, Astragalus, due to their symbiosis with the bacteria Rhizobium, enrich the soil, which consequently increases the invasion of rodents and their use of Astragalus roots, which has led to the gradual drying and destruction of Astragaluses, and this provides conditions for the establishment of invasive species. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the negative effects of rodent activities around Astragalus roots in order to manage rangeland ecosystems.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/12/3 | Accepted: 2025/03/9 | Published: 2025/03/30
Received: 2024/12/3 | Accepted: 2025/03/9 | Published: 2025/03/30
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