Reza Erfanzadeh; Mohammad Jafari; Misagh Ghasempour
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of Juniperus sabina (evergreen) and Berberis integerrima (deciduous) and herbaceous patches on some soil properties (pH, EC, aggregate stability, microbial respiration, organic carbon and nitrogen) in their habitats. In June, when maximum growth of the dominant ...
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This study aimed to investigate the effect of Juniperus sabina (evergreen) and Berberis integerrima (deciduous) and herbaceous patches on some soil properties (pH, EC, aggregate stability, microbial respiration, organic carbon and nitrogen) in their habitats. In June, when maximum growth of the dominant plant species in rangelands of central Alborz was occurred, of each plant patch, 10 patches were randomly selected and soil were collected beneath of the canopy species in each from two depths: 10-0 and 20-10 cm (in total 60 soil samples). Then, soil physico-chemical characteristics were measured in the laboratory. In order to examine the differences between each soil characteristics associated with patches and depths, two-way ANOVA using GLM was applied. In addition, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests were used to compare soil characteristics between patches, in each depth separately. The results showed different effect of different patches on the soil characteristics. In upper soil layer, the highest contents of organic matter (4.62%) and aggregate stability (36.08) were observed under J. sabina, while the highest total nitrogen was found under B. integerrima. In deeper soil layer, the highest content of organic matter (5.19%) was found under J. sabina. The highest microbial respiration contents in both depths were observed under herbaceous patch. The variation of other soil characteristics were less pronounced by type of patches. In general, the results of this study cleared that different woody plant species have different effects on soil characteristics, should be mentioned in the rangeland development and improvement projects.
moslem yazdani; reza erfanzadeh; Asghar Mosleh Arani
Abstract
Study of the effect of woody plant species on the production, diversity and richness of substratum herbaceous species, especially in the arid and semiarid regions, is essential for the proper management of these ecosystems. Therefore, the rangelands of Chenarnaz region in Khatam city in Yazd province ...
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Study of the effect of woody plant species on the production, diversity and richness of substratum herbaceous species, especially in the arid and semiarid regions, is essential for the proper management of these ecosystems. Therefore, the rangelands of Chenarnaz region in Khatam city in Yazd province were selected and then, using 0.5m×0.5m quadrats, vegetation sampling was performed under the selected 15 sites from Daphne mezerum, Amygdalus scoparia and Ebenus stellate (growing in equal topographical conditions) canopies, and outside of the canopies (as control). In each quadrat, the cover percentage of each plant species was visually estimated and the productions were measured by clipping and weighing method. The species diversity and richness indices were calculated using Past software through introducing the plant covers into the software. The results showed that the most values of Shannon-Weaner and Simpson diversity indices were found under A. scoparia (2.07 and 0.80, respectively) and the lowest values were found under E. stellata (1.010 and 055, respectively). In addition, the highest values of Menhinik and Margalef richness indices were found under A. scoparia (4.90 and 3.43, respectively) and D. mezerum (4.25 and 3.12, respectively), while the highest production was found under E. stellata (64.76 g/m2). The results of this study showed that different woody species had the desired but different effects on the herbaceous species, in such, A. scoparia and D. mezerum had significant positive effects on species diversity and E. stellata increased significantly species production; therefore, conservation of all woody species is emphasized in the region.
leila avazpour; mahdi ghorbani; reza erfanzadeh
Abstract
Social capital is the prerequisite of co_management. Evaluation of social capital for achieving community-based management is therefore of capital importance. Detection of key actors in local communities for co_management of natural eco_systems is as well quite important. These people are generally regarded ...
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Social capital is the prerequisite of co_management. Evaluation of social capital for achieving community-based management is therefore of capital importance. Detection of key actors in local communities for co_management of natural eco_systems is as well quite important. These people are generally regarded as local leaders and they have the potential to play a key role in co_management. Social Network Analysis method was applied and macro level and micro level indexes of rangeland users’ network in traditional boundary of Hagh-ol-Khaje in Mayamey District were analyzed as a way for measuring the social capital and recognizing influencial local leaders. It was found out that the level of social capital of beneficiaries based on trust tie was moderate and based on collaboration tie it was low. Sustainability of ties and network balance were as well weak and trust and collaboration ties were not optimally established. Low speed of exchange in trust and collaboration ties and lack of unity among beneficiaries are other important challenges in rangeland co_management. Gh_Gh and Es_Sa were recognized as the corest actors among Hagholkhaje rangeland users. These people can play important role in co_managements because of their authority and social influence and they can act as gatekeepers connecting governmental institutions and other users for sustainable rural development.
Leila Zandi; Reza Erfanzadeh; Hamid Joneidi-Jafari
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of land use changes from rangeland to horti-agricultural lands on the most important qualitative characteristics of soil such as total soil carbon and particulate organic matter, in Salavatabad region, Sanandaj. In the present study, one rangeland, two cultivated ...
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This study aimed to determine the effect of land use changes from rangeland to horti-agricultural lands on the most important qualitative characteristics of soil such as total soil carbon and particulate organic matter, in Salavatabad region, Sanandaj. In the present study, one rangeland, two cultivated pea lands, two cultivated wheat lands and two gardens were selected in growth season in the end of spring, 2014. Forty two soil samples were taken randomly and systematically from the study region. Then, soil micro- and macro aggregates were separated using 0.25 mm and 2 mm sieves. Total soil carbon and particulate organic matter of soil samples were measured in the laboratory. The results showed that land use changes from rangeland to horti-agriculture significantly decreased total carbon and particulate organic matter in micro-aggregates. While total carbon and particulate organic matter in macro-aggregates was not changed by land use changes from rangeland to horticultural land. We suggested that if rangeland will be converted into agricultural land, horticultural land is the best for land use changes.
