In recent decades, the control of floods is an efficient management practice for the rehabilitation of rangelands in most arid and semiarid areas. To evaluate the benefits, we used the Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) method to assess the function of patches and qualitative capability of a rangeland ecosystem in Gareh Bygone region, Fars province, southwestern Iran. Landscape functionality depends on soil, water and nutrient (collectively called "resources") conservation and use within a given ecosystem. Many landscapes are naturally heterogeneous in terms of resource control and possess patches, where resources tend to accumulate, and inter-patches. Assessing rangeland health and function of landscape patches in response to environment and management can give rise to correct management decisions for qualitative improvement of the ecosystem. Therefore, our study area was divided into two parts, i.e. water spreading and control parts, and sampling was done using LFA method in each part separately. Structural parameters, including the number, length and width of patches, and the mean length of inter-patches, were determined by the method to characterize the functional status of the monitoring sites. For each patch/inter-patch type identified in the transect organization log, we recorded its soil surface properties classified according to the Soil Surface Assessment Method. The density, canopy cover and composition of plants were then assessed. The results showed that the number of ecological patches and their dimensions were significantly increased in the water spreading site. Soil stability and the values of nutrient cycling indices were increased but the infiltration values were decreased in the water spreading site. It could be related to the effect of suspended materials transported by floods to the soils in the study area. The improvement of ecological patches and rangeland ecosystem was achieved where water spreading systems were practiced. Therefore it can be concluded that water spreading as a management plan plays an important role in arid land ecosystem functionality.

Introduction: Ethnobutany, as a part of every region's national capital, contains local beliefs and knowledge about plants and their characteristics being the result of centuries of trial and error in the natural environment. Though, it is unwritten and exposed to degeneration. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to acquire and document the culture of traditional use of Zebarkhan rangeland medicinal plants from Neyshabur in Razavi Khorasan province. Method: In this study, the traditional knowledge of the people about the plants was collected in free interviewing and participatory observations. Questions posed about local names, growth form, harvest methods, organ usages and properties of plants. Interviews then went on until the repeated responses confirmed the reliability and validity. Collected Plants were identified by applying valid botanic sources. Conclusion: In this study, 70 medicinal plant species belonging to 29 families were identified. The largest proportion of plant species were respectively related to Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae and Polygonaceae. Among traditional uses, the most belonged to diseases treatment related to digestive, colds, neurological problems and sedation. The most commonly used organs were floral branches, leaves and young stems. Investigating and comparing different uses of plants in the study area as well as the other parts of Iran proves the similarity usage of similar plant species in different regions of the country. Result: The existence of 70 medicinal plants in Neyshabur rangelands confirms the richness of this region, so identification and documentation of their indigenous knowledge can pave the way for a better usage of medicinal plants and their products.

BackgroundIran is of the species-rich areas in diversity of plants, especially medicinal plants being renowned worldwide as crucial for people’s health. Ethnobotany is the information retrieval science of unwritten experiences and is one of the valuable ways to develop the science of medicinal plants and herbal medicine. Objective : This present study aims to identify medicinal plants used widely by local people in Azad Shahr (Golestan province), collect information about diseases treated by using these plants, and boost indigenous knowledge concerning medicinal plants used by local people.MethodsAn ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants uses among local people in Khosh Yeilagh rangelands within 2 years (2018-2020). The data were collected by using field observation, participatory and semi-structured interviews with 41 people (11 male, 30 female). A snowball sampling technique was used to selecte the interviewees. The collected information were categorized based on local names, parts consumed, medicinal properties, consumption habits, and other uses of wild edible plants, WEPs.ResultEighty-four plant species belonging to 27 families were identified in the study area. Most plant species in the region were respectively Lamiaceae (20 species), Compositae (12 species) and Legominaceae (6 species). The results showed that the most frequent medicinal plants were used for gastrointestinal problems (34%), cough and colds (18%), and respiratory disease (13%).ConclusionThe presence of various species of medicinal plants and vast indigenous knowledge in Khoshyilagh rangelands indicate the richness of this area. Research on these plants can pave the way for discovering new medicine in the field of treatment and for preserving these valuable reserves as well as preventing the disappearance and destruction of herbs.

The purpose of this study was an investigation of phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics in aerial parts of Salvia multicaulis Vahl and Salvia sclarea L. and the effect of ecological factors on their distribution in Behshahr Hezarjarib area. Salvia grows wildly in the north of Iran. Literature review has shown that there is no report on phytochemical investigation about aerial parts of Salvia in north of Iran. In order to understand the relationship between vegetation and environmental factors, the PCA (Principle Component Analysis) method has been adopted. Essential oil of the aerial part of Salvia was analyzed by GC/MS. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH test. Thirteen and five components were identified representing 94.01% and 99.9% of the oils, respectively. The main compounds of salvia multicaulis Vahl were α-Pinene (29.82), 1,8-Cineole (23.84) and Camphor (19.93) while 1,6-Cyclodecadiene (41.95) and β-Caryophyllene (36.19) were the major ingredients of Salvia Sclarea L.