This study aimed to investigate the main autecological characteristics of Desmostachya bipinnata L. (Poaceae) in a hyper-arid region. The study was carried out on Sistan plain, south-eastern Iran. The habitats of D. bipinnata were identified and then the climatic and edaphic characteristics of habitats were determined. | Research Article Turk J Bot 36 (2012) 690-696 © TÜBİTAK doi: The autecological characteristics of Desmostachya bipinnata in hyper-arid regions Akbar FAKHIREH, Majid AJORLO*, Alireza SHAHRYARI, Shahram MANSOURI, Soheila NOURI, Ahmad PAHLAVANRAVI Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, 98615, Zabol - IRAN Received: ● Accepted: Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the main autecological characteristics of Desmostachya bipinnata L. (Poaceae) in a hyper-arid region. The study was carried out on Sistan plain, south-eastern Iran. The habitats of D. bipinnata were identified and then the climatic and edaphic characteristics of habitats were determined. Phenological stages, reproduction, root system, and nutritive and preference values of D. bipinnata were also studied. One single habitat of D. bipinnata was identified on Sistan plain. Average annual rainfall and temperature of the habitat were 60 mm and °C, respectively. Loamy and loamy sand soils of the habitat had EC and pH values of 10-60 DS/m and , respectively. Secondary roots of D. bipinnata penetrated up to 2 m depth in soil. Mean canopy cover was in the habitat. Vegetative growth started in the middle of February followed by flowering in May and seed ripening in July. Crude protein content of leaves and stems was and during vegetative growth, respectively. For both sheep and goats, D. bipinnata had a similar preference value of 25%. This species, with high resistance to unfavourable conditions, can be used for rehabilitation of desertified rangeland in hyper-arid regions. Key words: Autecology, Desmostachya bipinnata, habitat, Iran, rangeland, Sistan Introduction Recently, interest in the ecology of plants in desert areas has increased (Abdel-Ghani et al., 2011). Knowledge of ecological factors such as soil, topography, climate, and disturbance influencing plant species .
