Management of Natural Ecosystems

Management of Natural Ecosystems

Facilitative effect of nurse species on functional diversity in the gradient of climate change and animal grazing

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zeinab Mirshekari 1
Esmaeil Asadi Boroujeni 2
Pejman Tahmasebi Kahyani 2
Elham Ghehsareh Ardestani 2
1 Ph.D student in Rangeland Science and Engineering, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
10.22034/emj.2025.732759
Abstract
Plant-plant interactions play a key role in structuring plant communities, but their effects in relation to factors such as livestock grazing and climate have been less studied. Most studies have focused on species diversity, and functional diversity has been less studied. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectsof nurse species on functional diversity under different grazing intensities across four climatic regions of Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces (SangSefid: semi- desert, Mouteh: steppe, TangSayad and Sabzkouh: semi-steppe). In each region, seven sites different levels of light and heavy grazingwere selected and at each site, three 30 m² macroplots, each containing four 2 m² microplots (three nurse species and one control), were assessed. Information on Plant presence, abundance, and functional traits) specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf length, leaf area, and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content (were measured. Data were analyzed using R and SPSS, and repeated measures analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed.The competitive or facilitative role of nurse species was calculated using the Relative Interaction Index (RII). The results showed that the mechanisms of influence of nurse species depend on climatic conditions. In arid regions like SangSefid, species such as (Anabasis aphylla L. and Artemisia sieberi Besser) acted predominantly competitively, whereas in more humid regions like Sabzkouh, species of (Astragalus brachycalyx Boiss. and Astragalus susianus Boiss.) showed greater facilitation by creating a microclimate and improving soil conditions. Heavy grazing in dry regions reduced nurse density thereby decreasing competition, while in humid regions, resistant Astragalus species with thorny and cushion-like structures both remained protected from degradation and had their facilitative role enhanced. Additionally, understory plants exhibited adaptive responses, including altered leaf traits (reduced leaf area, leaf length, and specific leaf area, increased leaf dry matter content) and nutrient uptake (nitrogen and phosphorus). This study emphasizes the importance of conserving nurse species for sustainable rangeland management.
Keywords
Plant-Plant interactions
Competition
Biological indicator
Rangeland management
Functional Traits
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 20 November 2025
  • Revise Date 16 December 2025
  • Accept Date 18 December 2025