Research Achievements of the Rangeland Research Division
The Rangeland Research Department has significantly contributed to the field through extensive research and publications. Key accomplishments include:
- Comprehensive rangeland assessments: A five-year nationwide assessment of 88 sites across 31 provinces to evaluate vegetation, soil, and ecological factors.
- Climate change analysis: Detailed analysis of long-term climate trends, including temperature and precipitation patterns, across Iran.
- Species distribution modelling: Modeling the shifts in distribution ranges of key rangeland species in response to climate change.
- Economic and ecological assessments: Evaluating the economic and environmental benefits of multiple-use rangelands, focusing on medicinal plants and forage production.
- Carbon sequestration modelling: Using satellite imagery to develop models to estimate soil organic carbon in rangeland vegetation types.
- Extensive data and mapping:
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- Compilation and publication of 1308 research reports.
- Development of 1:250,000 scale digital vegetation maps for the entire country.
- Identification and classification of 3029 plant communities.
- Publication of 119 volumes on plant community types.
- Production of distribution maps for 15 provinces, highlighting medicinal and industrial plants.
- Rangeland management:
- Determination of reference values and allowable utilization levels for key rangeland species.
- Assessment of seasonal production and consumption of dominant rangeland plants.
- Establishment of optimal grazing seasons for different regions.
- Classification of rangeland plants based on monthly production and consumption rates.
- Publication of 16 volumes on rangeland production, utilization, reference values, and allowable utilization levels.
- Forage species evaluation:
- Evaluation of morphological traits, forage production, and adaptability of 26 perennial grasses, 41 perennial forbs, and 11 shrub species.
- Development of seeding techniques for 58 forb species.
- Introduction of 23 alfalfa cultivars for degraded rangelands and low-productivity rainfed areas.
- Assessment of the growth behaviour and ecological characteristics of 60 key rangeland species.
- Identification of effective seed priming treatments for enhancing germination and establishment of five important rangeland species.
