Nitraria in the heart of the hot desert of Miqan, Markazi Province, needs attention and reclamation

Document Type : Scientific Letters

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

3 Senior Research Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

4 - Department of Agricultural Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran

5 Head of the Department of Conservation and Protection, Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Markazi province, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran.

6 Head of the Department of Desert Affairs, Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Markazi province, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran.

10.22092/irn.2023.359865.1476

Abstract

In recent years, decreased rainfall and droughts have created wind erosion in Iran. Mighan desert is one of the critical centers of wind erosion in Markazi province. Nitraria schoberi L. is one of the most effective plants for stabilizing sand dunes. In recent years, Nitraria decline in the Mighan desert has been quite noticeable. It is necessary to establish investigations regarding the identification of causal agents in the decline of the Nitraria plant. To identify biotic and abiotic factors causing damage, Nitraria schoberi pests and diseases were assessed in the Mighan desert from 2018 to 2022. This research revealed that the most critical factor in the decline of Nitraria is the region's underground water decrease. Other factors such as pests (wood boring beetles, mice, true cicadas, and new emerging pests) and off-road driving damages are at the next level of importance.

Keywords

References

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Iran Nature
Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 40
July and August 2023
Pages 43-51

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