Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Analysis of landings and environmental variables time series from the Caspian Sea111367210.22069/ijerr.2017.12124.1180ENHasanFazliCaspian Sea Ecology Research CenterAbdol-AzimGhanghermehDepartment of Geography, Faculty of Human Science, Golestan University, Gorgan, IranRezaShahifarIranian Fisheries Organization, Tehran, IranJournal Article20161107In the present study, the time series encompassing the years 1950-2011 of commercial landings from the Caspian Sea were analyzed using min/max autocorrelation factor analysis (MAFA) and dynamic factor analysis (DFA). These aim was to identify trends and explore the relationships between the response variables (annual landings of 10 species/groups such as kilkas, kutum, common carp, pike perch, roach, shads, bream, mullets, seal and sturgeons) and explanatory variables (sea level and Volga river water volume). Landings were more highly correlated with environmental variables. Both techniques gave coherent results, indicating that the two most important trends in the response variables are: (i) a decrease in landings during second half of the time-series, and (ii) a fluctuating pattern. The main common trends obtained by MAFA and DFA were positive relation with kilkas, sturgeons, seal and shads. The most significant MAFA axis showed a steady stablility in the first half and a sharp decrease in the second half, which was similar to the most important common trend of the DFA. Species such as kilka, sturgeons, seal, shads, and perch were significantly positively related. On the contrary, landings of two species, mullts and kutum were negatively related to the first trend. Considering our results on the ecological and environmental data, these variables and impacts of human activities should be taken into account when managing coastal environments for the conservation of these species/groups in the Caspian basin.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3672_5ca7de8aacf32cf0483db8ed030d7413.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Efficiency of Canopy Cover Measurement of Artemisia sieberi Stands by Two Sampling Methods in Different Lengths (Case study: Steppe Vegetation of Baft Region, Iran)1323369910.22069/ijerr.2017.12522.1191ENRezaBagheriYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Baft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Baft, IranMohamad AliAlizadehM.Sc. Graduated of range management, Natural resources department, Islamic Azad University, Baft Branch, Baft, Iran.Journal Article20170108This research has been conducted to establish a wheel-point device and evaluate its efficiency (precision, accuracy and time) with respect to the estimation of canopy percent in a pilot Artemisia stand in Khabr region of Baft, Kerman province, Iran in 2015. Several transects with different lengths (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 m) were established using the randomized sampling block with 5 replicates. Measurement of canopy percent of dominant species and the associated ones was done by transects as linear-contact (control treatment) and wheel-point device. Data standard deviation of each treatment, relative error of each treatment to control and time criterion have been considered as precision, accuracy and time indices for sampling and evaluating the efficiency Results indicated that in the sampling by the means of linear-contact method (control method), the optimum sampling length was given as 30 m concerning three statistical states involving the dominant species, associated ones and total species population. Also, results have shown that in sampling by wheel-point device method in order to consider the statistics of dominant species, the optimum transect length was estimated as 60 m; when the statistics of associated species and total species population are regarded, the optimum length was 120 and 150 m, respectively. According to the results of regression model with respect to data given by wheel-point method and transect (control), determination of coefficient was computed as 57 and 67% for the dominant and associated species, respectively.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3699_6c09924882d7d367a98b99075e451835.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Removal of Congo red from aqueous solutions using nano-Chitosan2534370010.22069/ijerr.2017.11962.1172ENHassanRezaeiGorgan Uni.AsiyehRazavi. M.Sc. student of Environmental Sciences, Baharan Institute of Higher Education, Gorgan, IranAliShahbaziHead Department Environmental Sciences, Baharan Institute of Higher Education, Gorgan, IranJournal Article20161010It is now recognized that adsorption using low-cost adsorbents is an effective and economic method for water decontamination. Chitosan is derived by deacetylation of the naturally occurring biopolymer chitin which is the second most abundant polysaccharide in the world after cellulose. In this study, the capacity of the chitosan nanoparticles was studied for the removal of the anionic Congo red from wastewater. The effect of various parameters, such as the initial pH value in range of (2-4), initial dye concentration (3-50 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0.1-1.5 g), contact time (5-40 min) and temperature (20-45 C°) on adsorption process was investigated. The results indicated that chitosan nanoparticles under optimal conditions (pH=7, 5 mg/L-1 concentration of adsorbent, contact time of 15 minutes and a temperature of 30 ° C) is able to remove 99.96% of Congo red from aqueous solutions. Hence, nano-chitosan can be used as an eco-friendly adsorbent for the removal of Congo red from wastewater in terms of lower optimum time and higher adsorption capacity.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3700_3d0f0e2729fe5a38fa3db5a42406b01c.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Soil erosion and sediment mapping in Aidoghmoush watershed appling MPSIAC model and GIS and RS technologies3549370310.22069/ijerr.2017.9991.1119ENRasoulDaneshfarazDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, IranMehdiRahmatiDepartment of Soil Science , faculty of Agriculture, Maragheh, IranPouryaAkbari MoghanjiqDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, IAU of Maragheh, Maragheh, IranJournal Article20151102Soil erosion is one of the important and worldwide environmental and economic issues. High amount of sediments accumulations behind the different structures such as dams requires several attempts to minimize their potential risks. Therefore, some quantified data will be needed in order to recognize those critical areas which requires urgent conservation. Since conventional procedures are time consuming and costly and usually provide some point-based data, there is a necessity for applying remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) for quantifying soil erosion at large scales. In this regard, the current research was carried out in Aidoghmoush watershed to map soil erosion and sediment using MPSIAC model and RS and GIS technologies. Therefore, several information layers including geology, lithology, topography, soil, land cover, and land-use maps beside some data acquired from field assessments, prior investigations, and satellite images were applied in ArcGIS to map soil erosion in study area using MPSIAC model. The results showed that 251 million Kg soil per year is washed out form watershed by water erosion. In the other word, 475 tons soil per square kilometers per year got eroded. The results also revealed that slope and land covers were the most important controlling factors for sedimentation in the watershed. HU1 and HU4 hydrological units (sub-watersheds) showing the higher sediment per area were the most critical areas of the watershed. Contrary, HU3 had the lowest sediment per area.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3703_8f8514168f3df3e97d89329cd1bff2da.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Spatial Pattern and Characteristic of Tree-fall Gaps to Approach Ecological Forestry in Northern Iran5161370110.22069/ijerr.2017.10249.1127ENMohamad HadiMoayeriAssociate Professor of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry and wood technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranAlirezaHajivandMs graduate of forestry, Faculty of Forestry and wood technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranShabanShataee JoybariAssociate Professor of Forestry, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranSaeedRahbari Sisakht1- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranJournal Article20151213Gaps created by falling trees (tree-fall gaps) are a natural disturbance in forest ecosystems. Understanding scale, pattern and the effect of gaps on regeneration is important to current and future forest management. The aim of this study was to determine the size, shape and the spatial pattern of tree-fall gaps and of associated regeneration. This study was carried out in three parcels (No.15, 18 and 19) of second District Shastkalateh forest in northern Iran. The size, location and regeneration of all tree-fall gaps were measured in these parcels. One way ANOVA was used to compare gap features and regeneration and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between gap size and regeneration density. The results showed that the total area of gaps created by tree-fall in three parcels was 13.72 ha, or 7.4% of the total area, and on average there were 1.06 gaps per hectare. Gap size ranged from 49 m2 to 1827m2, with mean gap size being 658.2m2. Most (69.2%) gaps were 200 m2 to 1000 m2. Results of spatial pattern analysis showed both uniform and irregular shapes for gaps in three parcels. ANOVA analysis showed a statistically significant difference between gap size and regeneration density and the Spearman rank correlation showed a direct relationship between gap size and the number of seedlings. These results provide information to enable forests to be managed according to ecological principles.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3701_b94698e2ee22892b8e19020c3517ee1d.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101Spatial water management under alternative institutional arrangements (A case study of coastal lands of Yengejeh Dam)6372370510.22069/ijerr.2017.3705ENZahraNoori TupkanlooAssistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, Dept. of Economics, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University,
Neyshabur, IranSaeedYazdaniProfessor of Agricultural Economics, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranRezaMoghadasiAssociate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture,
Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20170923Currently, water demand management and optimal operation of its resources is one of<br />the most important issues in environmental economics and management. Water demand<br />management has been a concern of economic planners as a new approach in environmental<br />economics. This study aims to investigate water demand management in different product<br />markets in downstream of Yengejeh Dam in Neyshabur. This is an exploratory study in<br />nature which was conducted through a questionnaire survey in 2015-2016. The population<br />of this research is composed of all farmers who use water from Yengejeh Dam to irrigate<br />their lands. Using Cochran formula at the level of 6% error, 139 farmers were selected as<br />the sample of this research randomly. A scenario of increasing the elasticity of product<br />demand in resource allocation in the competitive and monopolar water market was<br />developed by assimilation algorithm in the studied region. According to the market<br />situation of water in the region which is almost similar to monopolar water market, the<br />results suggest that if barley farmers replace cultivation of this crop and orient towards<br />exported products instead, the amount of product is reduced and farmers increase their yield<br />per hectare of land while using more water supply and more area under cultivation.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3705_78cc402f195c2ddf639660179b52171e.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101The history relating to the changing nature of protected area management objectives: towards reconciliation with surrounding landscape7387370210.22069/ijerr.2017.11079.1149ENHamedMirkarimiCollege of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences
Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, IranColinArrowsmithSchool of Mathematical and Geospatial Science, RMIT University, AustraliaJournal Article20160518Natural areas have been reserved for thousands of years. However, the reasons for reservation have changed with time. Natural areas management objectives have changed from personal/individual human needs to environmental protection. Unlike old protected areas, new protected areas have multiple management objectives. The management objectives changed from protection for now to protection for the future. And it changed from a human benefit perspective to a philanthropic perspective. Through a historical overview, the paper argues that changes in landscape, human needs and awareness are the main driving forces behind changes in management objectives of protected areas through time. By looking at the past and present for protected areas management aims, this paper will argue that the first management aim of protected areas had led to isolating landscape of protected areas from their surrounding areas. However, through time, the aims were changed and therefore, methods of protected areas planning have changed towards reconciliation with surrounding landscape. Though, through a case study approach it is discussed that the purpose of contemporary management plans for protected areas could be different in various countries.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3702_17a8dadabc50486602d24a6d0de3521c.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101The Impacts of Atriplex Plantation from the Viewpoint of Stockholders8999369810.22069/ijerr.2017.12678.1195ENHamidNiknahad GharmakherGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.Gorgan. Iran.AbolfazlSharifiyan BahramanPhD. Student, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranJournal Article20170130Atriplex spp. (Atriplex canescens, A. lentiformis and A. halimus) plantation has been extensively used to reclaim rangeland in Iran for the past several decades. However, the impacts of this practice have been controversial. Due to the increasing adoption of this reclamation technique for degraded rangelands, it is important to investigate its impacts. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of rangeland reclamation practices from the viewpoints of stockholders in two winter rangelands in Golestan province. At first, information obtained from individual interviews was classified using content analysis. Then a questionnaire containing quintuple Likert, nominal and ordinal scale items as well as some open items was prepared and completed by stockholders. The number of samples was determined using the Cochran formula. Data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney test. The results revealed that the rangelands, livestock, and forage production of Atriplex spp. play an important role in the life and livelihood of stockholders of both studied areas. Considering all investigated items, in the majority of cases the desired effects of Atriplex spp. plantation was observed. The results indicated that despite some differences, the stockholders are satisfied with Atriplex spp. plantation in both of the studied areas. More investigation on the effects of Atriplex spp. on the dairy and meat production was proposed.https://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3698_dc6463930913249423dd562be4880628.pdfGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Resources Research2783-48325120170101The influence of environmental parameters on the abundance of monkey goby, Neogobius pallasi (Berg, 1916), in Kaboodval and Shirabad Streams, Golestan Province, Iran101110370410.22069/ijerr.2017.3704ENErfanKarimianDept. of Fisheries, khoramshahr University of Marine Science and TechnologyRasulGhorbaniAssociate Prof., Dept. of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.AbolghasemKamaliFISHERIES DEPARTMENTAbdolrassulSalmanmahinyAssociate Prof., Dept. of Environmental, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.Journal Article20170923The aim of this study was to determine the influence of environmental parameters on<br />the abundance of monkey goby Neogobius pallasi. A total of 526 and 163 individuals of<br />monkey goby specimens were caught by electro-shocker in the Kaboodval and Shirabad Streams, respectively. The ranges of total length of the specimens in Kaboodval and Shirabad Streams were respectively 22-137.55 mm and 32.64-137.97 mm. All the specimens of both streams belonged to the 5th age group (0+-4+). The morphological, hydrological, biological and physicochemical parameters were investigated in both streams. The results showed that the hydrological parameters and vegetation coverage in the Kaboodval Stream and also, water velocity and depth in the Shirabad Stream had significant relationship with the monkey goby abundances (Phttps://ijerr.gau.ac.ir/article_3704_b12fb6f6aefc3a5ac4daa8692ceee311.pdf