Ghorbani, M., H. Azarnivand, A. Mehrabi, M. Jafari, H. Nayebi, and K. Seeland. 2013. The role of indigenous ecological knowledge in managing rangelands sustainably in northern Iran. Ecology and Society 18(2): 15.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-05414-180215

Sea-level rise (SLR) is known as a central part of the Earth’s response to human-induced global warming and is projected to continue to rise over the twenty-first century and beyond. The importance of coastal areas for both human and natural systems has led researchers to conduct extensive studies on coastal vulnerability to SLR impacts and develop adaptation options to cope with rising sea level. Investigations to date have focused mostly on developed and highly populated coasts, as well as diverse ecosystems including tidal salt marshes and mangroves. As a result, there is less information on vulnerability and adaptation of less-developed and developing coasts to sea-level rise and its associated impacts. Hence, this research aimed at outlining an appropriate coastal management framework to adapt to SLR on the coasts that are in the early stage of development. A coastal area with a low level of development, located in southern Iran along the Gulf of Oman, was selected as a case study. The types of lands exposed to the high-end estimates of SLR by 2100 were identified and used as the primary criteria in determining the practical adaptation approaches for developing coasts. The result of coastal exposure assessment showed that, of five exposed land cover types, bare land, which is potentially considered for development, has the highest percentage of exposure to future sea-level rise. In order to protect the exposed coastal lands from future development and increase adaptive capacity of coastal systems, we developed a Spatial Integrated SLR Adaptive Management Plan Framework (SISAMP) based on an exposure reduction approach. Spatial land management tools and coastal exposure assessment models along with three other key components were integrated into the proposed conceptual framework to reduce coastal vulnerability through minimizing exposure of coastal communities to SLR-induced impacts. This adaptation plan provides a comprehensive approach for sustainable coastal management in a changing climate, particularly on developing coasts.

One effective way to address fine dust, a significant contributor to soil erosion, is by cultivating plants with high forage quality. The study area is located in Khuzestan province, Iran. All samples were collected in spring 2023 (April 20–30). Plant species, including Atriplex leucoclada, Suaeda fruticosa, Tamarix passerinoides, and Seidlitzia rosmarinus, were sampled during three growth stages: vegetative growth, flowering, and seeding. The data analysis involved sample collection, soil sampling, laboratory measurements, and statistical analysis using ANOVA and Duncan’s test to compare the forage quality of different species collected from various habitats. This study aimed to evaluate the forage quality of four halophytic species at different phenological stages. Sampling was conducted using plots with three replications during three growth stages: vegetative, flowering, and seeding. The data were analyzed as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design, with species (Atriplex leucoclada, Suaeda fruticosa, Tamarix passerinoides, and Seidlitzia rosmarinus), growth stage, and plant organs (leaves and stems) as the factors. The highest crude protein content was found in S. fruticosa (14.4%), while S. rosmarinus exhibited the highest level of water-soluble carbohydrates (12.85%). In contrast, A. leucoclada and T. passerinoides showed the greatest dry matter digestibility and metabolic effects. The analysis revealed that the stems contained higher levels of nitrogen, crude protein, ash, water-soluble carbohydrates, neutral detergent-soluble fibers, and cell wall components lacking hemicellulose compared to the leaves. However, the leaves exhibited greater dry matter digestibility and had more significant metabolic effects than the stems. Overall, all four species studied demonstrated good forage quality due to their high protein content. Moreover, S. rosmarinus emerged as a superior species for foraging, while A. leucoclada and T. passerinoides were notable for their digestibility percentage and metabolic effects. S. rosmarinus may be a promising candidate for future studies aimed at mitigating fine dust.