Wild einkorn wheat (Triticum boeoticum); a forgotten rangeland plant

Rangelands, especially mountainous areas, are among the most valuable natural habitats. Rangeland plants, as one of the most important resources of each ecosystem, play an important role in the life of each organisms, protecting nature and maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Each of the plant species has an important and fundamental role in the food chain of ecosystems so that the balance of life in nature may be disturbed by destroying only one species. Wild einkorn wheat (Triticum boeoticum) is one of the most important rangeland species in the world. To study wild einkorn, Lorestan province was selected. The species samples were collected from the rangelands and croplands and determined by the flora of Ilam. Occurrence of wild einkorn was recorded by GPS. The field studies indicated that wild einkorn is a weedy plant growing in rainfed farming and roadsides in relatively cold climate. But, there are many field evidences that the species grow in natural habitats. One of the most important stands of wild einkorn is located at Zaqeh exclosure, Lorestan provice. The dense stands of wild einkorn in this site refer to thousands years ago that food gatherers and collectors would surely have been attracted to them. It seems that long term overgrazing and land use change have profound effect on wild einkorn stands. The studies also show that if grazing is controlled, wild einkorn is likely to dominate in abandoned rainfed lands in cold regions.

Keywords:

Zaqeh exclosure , rainfed farming , wild stands , overgrazing