Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area
IntroductionClimate warming, combined with grazing pressures, poses significant challenges to vegetation cover and ecosystem stability. In particular, livestock grazing is a primary factor in vegetation degradation, adversely affecting plant diversity, soil health, and key ecological interactions.Me...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| author | Farid Salmanpour Zahra Shakoori Zahra Shakoori Mostafa Keshtkar Mehdi Kia Romina Sayahnia |
| author_facet | Farid Salmanpour Zahra Shakoori Zahra Shakoori Mostafa Keshtkar Mehdi Kia Romina Sayahnia |
| author_sort | Farid Salmanpour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionClimate warming, combined with grazing pressures, poses significant challenges to vegetation cover and ecosystem stability. In particular, livestock grazing is a primary factor in vegetation degradation, adversely affecting plant diversity, soil health, and key ecological interactions.MethodsThis study investigates the impact of grazing on vegetation in the Alborz region of Iran, focusing on the comparison between native herbivores (Artiodactyla) and livestock in the Central Alborz Protected Area (CAPA). We utilized 30 years of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data from May to June (1994–2024) to assess vegetation dynamics and evaluate the influence of climate and grazing. ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were performed to identify relationships between vegetation cover, climate variables (temperature and rainfall), and grazing intensity.ResultsResults show a significant increase in vegetation cover, with Golestanak (without livestock) exhibiting a stronger positive response to climate variables (R² = 65%), while Zānoos (higher livestock density) showed greater variability (R² = 58%). Vegetation in Golestanak demonstrated a more significant positive correlation with temperature and rainfall, reflecting resilience to climatic stressors and the beneficial effect of moderate grazing by native Artiodactyla. In contrast, Zānoos showed more fluctuation in vegetation trends due to high livestock grazing pressure.DiscussionThis study highlights that while climate warming can positively affect vegetation cover, intensive livestock grazing can impede these gains, underlining the importance of adaptive management strategies for maintaining ecosystem health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-255176f4352b4323b6a58a40d8996245 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-611X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Conservation Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-255176f4352b4323b6a58a40d89962452025-01-28T13:38:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Conservation Science2673-611X2025-01-01610.3389/fcosc.2025.15340341534034Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected AreaFarid Salmanpour0Zahra Shakoori1Zahra Shakoori2Mostafa Keshtkar3Mehdi Kia4Romina Sayahnia5Department of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranDepartments of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Environment, Mazandaran Provincial Office, Nowshahr, Mazandaran, IranDepartments of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranIntroductionClimate warming, combined with grazing pressures, poses significant challenges to vegetation cover and ecosystem stability. In particular, livestock grazing is a primary factor in vegetation degradation, adversely affecting plant diversity, soil health, and key ecological interactions.MethodsThis study investigates the impact of grazing on vegetation in the Alborz region of Iran, focusing on the comparison between native herbivores (Artiodactyla) and livestock in the Central Alborz Protected Area (CAPA). We utilized 30 years of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data from May to June (1994–2024) to assess vegetation dynamics and evaluate the influence of climate and grazing. ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were performed to identify relationships between vegetation cover, climate variables (temperature and rainfall), and grazing intensity.ResultsResults show a significant increase in vegetation cover, with Golestanak (without livestock) exhibiting a stronger positive response to climate variables (R² = 65%), while Zānoos (higher livestock density) showed greater variability (R² = 58%). Vegetation in Golestanak demonstrated a more significant positive correlation with temperature and rainfall, reflecting resilience to climatic stressors and the beneficial effect of moderate grazing by native Artiodactyla. In contrast, Zānoos showed more fluctuation in vegetation trends due to high livestock grazing pressure.DiscussionThis study highlights that while climate warming can positively affect vegetation cover, intensive livestock grazing can impede these gains, underlining the importance of adaptive management strategies for maintaining ecosystem health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1534034/fullecosystem resiliencerestorationbiodiversity conservationecosystem managementtemperaturerainfall |
| spellingShingle | Farid Salmanpour Zahra Shakoori Zahra Shakoori Mostafa Keshtkar Mehdi Kia Romina Sayahnia Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area Frontiers in Conservation Science ecosystem resilience restoration biodiversity conservation ecosystem management temperature rainfall |
| title | Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area |
| title_full | Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area |
| title_fullStr | Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area |
| title_short | Impact of climate warming on vegetation cover: positive effects of native artiodactyla vs. grazing pressure in Alborz Protected Area |
| title_sort | impact of climate warming on vegetation cover positive effects of native artiodactyla vs grazing pressure in alborz protected area |
| topic | ecosystem resilience restoration biodiversity conservation ecosystem management temperature rainfall |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1534034/full |
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