Determining potential habitat of Kermani Calligonum and Lentil Bead Salmaki in Sistan region of south eastern Iran

Abstract

In this study, potential habitat of two species, Kermani Calligonum and Lentil Bead Salmaki in Sistan region was determined by using geographic information system and measurements of distance techniques. For intra-regional study, five habitants were randomly selected and in every location, 10 soil profiles were dug to a depth of 45 cm and soil samples were taken. According to samples taken in each profile parameters such as EC, texture, pH and organic matter in soil other physical parameters at each site such as altitude, temperature, evaporation, results show that Lentil Bead Salmaki in comparison with Kermani Calligonum is able to grow in soils with high salinity, less organic matter and soils with light texture and also tends to thrive and grow in acid soils. Finally, by combining different layers of information for each species, it was found that from total study area of 653,345 ha, three regions including 45,896 ha (7.02%) were suitable for growing Kermani Calligonum. 29,446 ha (4.5%) of this area belongs to habitat of Kermani Calligonum. Approximately remaining 16,450 acres (2.25% of the total area), is potential habitat and the results also indicated that three areas consisting of 8223 ha (1.25%) is suitable for Lentil Bead Salmaki growth. 1962 ha (0.3%) of this area belongs to Lentil Bead Salmaki habitat and the remaining 7546 ha (0.95%) is the area of potential habitat. The accuracy of determining the habitat (finding location) of the mentioned species is estimated to be over 95%.