abstract. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of topographical factors on the classification of grassland plant communities in the rangelands of ghorkhud, northern khorasan province, iran. for sampling, land units were specified. a floristic list was prepared using minimal area method based on the nested plot (braun-blanquet method). 116 10m2 furrows were selected. within e...

natural sites with spiritual values are parts of land or sea that play key role in conserving biodiversity and cultural identity. the aim of this study is prioritizing protected zones with spiritual values. in the first step for this survey, based on literature review and according to multi criteria assessment, convenient conservation criteria were compiled, then for each of criterion, indices ...

the group size and behavior of goitered gazelle was studied over the year 2001 in kalmand-bahadoran protected area. gazelle groups showed no stable organization in kalmand protected area. in spring season, group size was smaller than other seasons and the largest groups were seen in winter. number of solitary gazelles increased during the mating season. adult males were territorial in mating se...

abstract caracal (caracal caracal) is a species of felidae which has a vast distribution in the central area ofiran. in this study, we gathered all records of caracal in yazd province during nine years (2002-2011). we also analyzed the results of intensive camera-trapping in 3 protected areas inyazd province. based on the results of the study 96 records of caracal were obtained in the study are...

brown bear (ursus arctos) is one of the most important carnivores in iran. however, information on its habitat associations is scared. based on ecological niche factor analysis (enfa) method, a summer habitat suitability model was developed for this species in the southern part of alborz protected area. our results showed that, brown bears prefer higher altitudes and northern aspects in their p...

in recent decades, necessity to protect environment has been a serious concern for all people and international communities. in appropriate development of human economic activities, subsistence dependence of the growing world population on nature decreases the natural diversity of ecosystems and habitats day by day and provides additional constraints for life and survival of wildlife. as a resu...