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Analysis of the environmental gradients in Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori habitat in relation to increasing elevation (A trend and homogeneity based approach)
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Hossein Piri Sahragard *   , Peyman Karami2 |
Rangeland and watershad managment, University of Zabol , hpirys@gmail.com
2- University of Malayer |
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Abstract: (96 Views) |
Altitude is considered an important factor in creating environmental gradients by affecting many components of the ecosystem. In the present study, the effect of altitude on some environmental processes, including habitat suitability, the trend of changes and seasonal fluctuations in land surface temperature (LST), organic carbon density (OCD), and vegetation cover index (NDVI), in areas of Moringa peregrina presence in the south and southeast of Iran, including the provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan, Kerman, and Hormozgan, were evaluated. In this regard, 61 species presence points were collected in the summer season from 2015 to 2020. LST was prepared using the product (MYD11A1) of MODIS from 2003 to 2023, separated by different seasons of the year, and the trend of its changes was also analyzed by the Mann-Kendall (MK) test. LST variability or heterogeneity was calculated using principal component analysis (PCA). Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were extracted from Google Earth Engine (GEE). Then, the 61 presence points were arranged in increasing height, and the gradients in the mentioned criteria for these points were checked using the non-parametric MK test. Using the results of significant gradients of trend analysis, Pettitt's breaking point analysis was performed between the presence points in order to group them. Also, to group the points using all the variables, K-Mean clustering was used. The results showed that habitat suitability in the presence areas does not increase with the increase in altitude; this condition also exists for OCD and NDVI. But the trend of LST in spring and autumn showed a decreasing trend with increasing altitude. Accordingly, with the increase in altitude, the fluctuation in LST increases significantly in each of the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter (p<0.0001). Also, the results showed that the height above 400 meters above sea level is considered the threshold of environmental changes in environmental gradients. Based on the analysis of the breakpoint, the available attendance points were divided into two northern and southern groups according to the fluctuations of the environmental gradients. The spatial distribution of groups based on K-means clustering was also confirmed. Overall, it can be said that elevation, due to its influence on climatic parameters (temperature and precipitation) and edaphic characteristics, has affected the presence and distribution of the M. peregrina in the study area's habitats. Therefore, this factor can be identified as the primary influence in the formation of microclimates and the distribution of the M. peregrina habitats.
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Article number: 14 |
| Keywords: Trend of Changes, Environmental Gradients, Temperature, Vegetation Cover, Moringa peregrina. |
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Full-Text [PDF 1781 kb]
(23 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/09/6 | Accepted: 2024/10/28 | Published: 2025/04/22
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