Mohsen Amani; Ali Asghar Naghipour; Ataollah Ebrahimi; Zahra Heidari; Mohammadreza Ashrafzadeh
Abstract
Carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems is an important part of global carbon storage and plays a vital role in mitigating climate change. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of different types of land uses/land covers (dense rangelands, semi-dense rangelands, low density rangelands, ...
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Carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems is an important part of global carbon storage and plays a vital role in mitigating climate change. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of different types of land uses/land covers (dense rangelands, semi-dense rangelands, low density rangelands, barren lands and agricultural lands) on the amount of soil carbon and plant biomass sequestration as an important ecosystem service in Sefiddasht watershed in in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Sampling of soil and vegetation was done randomly and systematically. For this purpose, 60 plots of 4 square meters were used for collecting soil, plant material and litter. Plant biomass was sampled by direct measurement method. Soil samples were also collected from the depth of 0-30 cm and 20 samples in each area. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the investigated regions in terms of total carbon storage. The total carbon storage from the highest to the lowest in order includes dense rangelands (46.42 tons/ha), semi-dense rangelands (38.49 tons/ha), agricultural lands (31.62 tons/ha), low-density rangelands (26.12 tons) per hectare) and barren lands (17.21 tons per hectare). The economic value of the total carbon storage per hectare of the examined uses, including dense rangelands, semi-dense rangelands, agricultural lands, low-dense rangelands, and barren lands, was determined to be $5446, $4516, $3710, $3065, and $2019, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the implementation of appropriate policies to prevent or minimize the conversion of land uses with a higher carbon storage capacity to land uses with a lower carbon storage capacity is of particular importance.
Monireh Bahrami; Fereydoon Sarmadian; Ebrahim Pazira
Abstract
Rangelands are one of the essential components of natural ecosystems and are known as one of the main sources of forage supply, biodiversity conservation, soil and water resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological potential of rangelands in Alborz province based on the Analytic ...
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Rangelands are one of the essential components of natural ecosystems and are known as one of the main sources of forage supply, biodiversity conservation, soil and water resources. The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological potential of rangelands in Alborz province based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and pairwise comparisons using Geographic Information System (GIS). The digital map of ecological potential (EP) was prepared by weighting and integrating maps of slope, land unit, vegetation cover, land use, and precipitation. The results showed that each of the five criteria had equal importance coefficients (0.2) for determining the EP of rangelands. Overall, 21.77% of the province's area was unsuitable for rangeland use due to rocky outcrops. 15.41% of the province's area had first-degree potential and 37.28% had second-degree potential for rangeland use. Taleqan County had the highest first-degree potential for rangeland use with 56,321 hectares, and Karaj County had the highest second-degree potential with 96,507 hectares. Nazarabad County had no first-degree potential for rangeland use, and Taleqan County had no fourth-degree potential. Nazarabad County and Eshtehard County also had 48.15% and 63.92% potential for third- and fourth-degree rangeland use, respectively. Based on the weighting of different factors, slope was the most limiting factor for rangeland use, accounting for more than 50% of the limitation. In general, determining the EP of rangelands leads to identifying areas that are very suitable for optimal use of natural resources, and can increase rural income and employment both economically and socially.
Golnaz Kheradmand; Ali Ariapour; Hamidreza Mehrabi
Abstract
Honey bee husbandry is one of the multipurpose uses of rangelands that it affects by biotic and abiotic factors that investigated in this study for Sarab-Sefid rangeland of Borujerd County. To evaluation of honey bee husbandry suitability used FAO model include four main model plant cover, weather, topography ...
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Honey bee husbandry is one of the multipurpose uses of rangelands that it affects by biotic and abiotic factors that investigated in this study for Sarab-Sefid rangeland of Borujerd County. To evaluation of honey bee husbandry suitability used FAO model include four main model plant cover, weather, topography and distance. Four categories used such as S1 (Suitable), S2 (medium Suitable), S3 (low Suitable) and N (None Suitable). Results show that there is no suitable in April for honey bee husbandry in any part of the area. Also according to mountainous and cold weather in spring and summer subsequently short time to plants growth and according to more grasses families of plants whole area was not in class S1. Honey bee husbandry model in April-May it falls in S3 and N classes with 1152.67 (19.66%) and 4711.76 (80.43%) hec respectively. In May-June months 883.42 (15.06%), 2002.86 (34.15%) and 2978.15 (50.79%) hec falls in S2, S3 and N classes respectively. This result was obtained for June-July so that 799.81 (15.06%), 2437.79 41.57%) and 2626.81 (43.37%) hec falls in S2, S3 and N classes respectively and for July-August-September 799.81 (15.06%) hec in S2 class, 2554.54 (43.56%) hec in S3 and 2509.65 (41.38%) hec fall in N class. Consequently, best time to honey bee husbandry is May to September months.
javad Motamedi(torkan); Hossein Arzani; Mehdi Ghorbani
Abstract
More than 20 sheep breeds having different body size utilize various rangelands in different climate regions which the conversion coefficient of each breed compared to animal unit must be recognized. For this purpose, two herds were selected from each breed sheep grazing at the central region during ...
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More than 20 sheep breeds having different body size utilize various rangelands in different climate regions which the conversion coefficient of each breed compared to animal unit must be recognized. For this purpose, two herds were selected from each breed sheep grazing at the central region during 2001-2007. Among selected herds, 30 animals randomly weighted at various age and sex groups and at various grazing seasons. Mean weight of three and four years old sheep was considered as mature weight of each breed. Conversion coefficient of each breed to animal unit (animal unit equivalent) calculated from the ratio of metabolic weight ((live weight)0.75 to animal unit metabolic weight. According to the results, Naeeini breed classified as light body breeds, Zandi, Kermani and Varamini as medium body and Shaal as heavy body breeds. Equivalent animal unit for each breed to animal unit were 0.7, 0.86, 0.9, 0.97, 1.06 and 1.20. based on proposed conversion coefficient and using MAFF proposed equation, daily requirement of each breed at maintenance condition and at grazing condition were as 4.76, 5.85, 6.12, 6.60, 7.21 and 8.16 MJ per day. Results represent that considering to same forage amount as daily requirement of grazing sheep breed in rangelands in order to calculating grazing capacity, without considering their body size is not valid.
mansoure kargar; zahra yousefi; ALI Taheri
Abstract
According to the important role of rangeland on the exploiters of its and rangeland ecological changes in the economic and social systems, planning and decision-making to assess the current situation is the most important. In this regard, this study intends to determine the difference between experts ...
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According to the important role of rangeland on the exploiters of its and rangeland ecological changes in the economic and social systems, planning and decision-making to assess the current situation is the most important. In this regard, this study intends to determine the difference between experts and exploiters to examine and compare the affecting factors on the utilization of rangelands according to four priority measures including strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities and threats. For this purpose, the SWOT analysis was used to analyze the affecting factors on the exploitation of rangelands. Identified factors using the questionnaire set based on Likert spectrum items and AHP analysis were prioritized and compared by the pastorals and experts. The results of the comparison indicate that prioritize of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats is different between experts and stakeholders, and in some cases there is a considerable distance between experts and pastorals. The factors related to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and the threats had priority the adaptation of animal species and plant cover-weight with weight 0.117, weighing experienced pastorals resignation with weight 0.026, increase scientific studies on rangeland in research centers, the Department of Natural Resources with weight 0.185 and weighting fluctuations in livestock markets with weight 0.076 respectively.
Morteza Saberi; vahid karimian; Hamid Niknahad Gharemakhar
Abstract
Many regular visits were done to investigate the phenological stages of the plant in Zabol and Saravan habitats. Plant cover of the species was investigated by plot with 4 square meter along to 4 transect with 200 meters. To investigate their physicochemical properties of soil, soil sample were taken ...
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Many regular visits were done to investigate the phenological stages of the plant in Zabol and Saravan habitats. Plant cover of the species was investigated by plot with 4 square meter along to 4 transect with 200 meters. To investigate their physicochemical properties of soil, soil sample were taken from 0-30 cm depth under the species and area without species. Forage quality index was analyzed by 4 replication on three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and maturity stages). Results indicated that the first leaves of the species were initiated in March and August is the end of growing period. The average of canopy cover and density of Citrullus colocynthis had significant difference in the two regions (P<0.01). The rooting depth of this species was 207 and 123 centimeters in Zabol and Saravan habitats, respectively. The results showed that the electrical conductivity, carbon and organic matter under the studied species were significantly higher than the control area. The results of soil analysis under the species of two habitats also showed that sand, silt, acidity, lime and organic carbon content were significant at 5% level (p <0.05) and organic matter was significant at 1% level (p <0.01). Also, the average of sand, acidity, organic creatinine and organic matter of Zabol habitat was higher than Saravan, but the amount of silt and lime in the plant cover was higher in Saravan than that of Zabol.
Sina NabiZadeh; Ataollah Ebrahimi; Masoumeh Aghababaei; Iraj Rahimi
Abstract
The land use of the watersheds is one of the most affected and highly vulnerable due to developmental process which effect on the other variables such as the hydrological function. The purpose of this research is to monitor land use changes in the past and to investigate predictability of its future ...
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The land use of the watersheds is one of the most affected and highly vulnerable due to developmental process which effect on the other variables such as the hydrological function. The purpose of this research is to monitor land use changes in the past and to investigate predictability of its future using Land Change Modeler (LCM) in the watershed of Farsan County of Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiari province. For this purpose, the Landsat-5 TM images of 1986 and 2009 as well as the Landsat-8 OLI images of 2017 were analyzed. Land covers including residential areas, agricultural land, dryland farming, rangelands, rocks, water bodies, bare-land and snow were classified for the three periods. The prediction of land cover of 2017 was done using the LCM model based on Artificial Neural Network and Markov chain analysis after assessing model’s accuracy based on Kappa index. The land cover of 2027 was also predicted using a change probability table extracted from occurred changes from 1986-2017. The results show that the rangeland decreased by 4379-ha in the years 1986 to 2017, but the agricultural land increased by 1922-ha. This study proved that the LCM could accurately forecast future changes (85% overall accuracy). An increase of 149-ha of residential area and 100-ha decrease of rangelands in the study area was predicted for 2027. Therefore, while emphasizing the conservation of rangelands, it is necessary to study and use this technique to predict changes, its causes, as well as the consequences of land use changes at the broader scales.
ardavan ghorbani; Farid Dadjoo; null null; Mahmood Bidar lord
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and environmental factors (such as elevation above sea level, slope, aspect, compound topographic index, seasonal and annual precipitation, seasonal and annual temperature) which was carried ...
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and environmental factors (such as elevation above sea level, slope, aspect, compound topographic index, seasonal and annual precipitation, seasonal and annual temperature) which was carried out in the rangelands of Hir and Neur in Ardebil province. Initially, considering the vegetation types and different classes of environmental factors, at the maximum vegetative growth stage, using one square meter plot with clipping and weighing (harvesting) method ANPP was estimated. Using digital elevation model (DEM) map, the maps of slope, aspect, elevation classes and topographic index were extracted. In addition, using gradient equations (calculated from the study areas stations) the seasonal and annual precipitation and temperature maps were extracted. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the factors between different sites. Then, to determine the most important environmental factors affecting on the ANPP changes, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used. Also, the ANPP map prepared using regression equation in GIS. The results showed that the variables are significantly different in sampling sites (P<0.01). The results of PCA indicated that the components of one (include annual precipitation, annual temperature, elevation) and two (include slope) with 76.10% had the most effect on ANPP. Also, ANPP map prepared using the extracted regression equation and the accuracy of the map was 0.71, which indicates the validity of the model.
samira hajipuor; Hossein Barani; hassan yaganeh; Ahmad Abadi Sarvastani
Abstract
Observing livestock grazing time in rangelands is quite important for conservation of rangelands and protecting them against degradation. This study was aimed at assessessment of factors that contribute to observing grazing time in rangelands of Kouhdasht County in Lorestan province. This study is a ...
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Observing livestock grazing time in rangelands is quite important for conservation of rangelands and protecting them against degradation. This study was aimed at assessessment of factors that contribute to observing grazing time in rangelands of Kouhdasht County in Lorestan province. This study is a survey research and the statistical population is composed of nomadism pastoralists of Koohdash County. Based on Cochran formula, sample size was defined 310 persons out of 1038 pastoralists. Many different variables including socio-economic conditions of users and factors contributing to grazing management were assessed in this study. Among the econometric models, Logit Model was used in order to assess factors impacting on time management of grazing. Logit model parameters were estimated with maximum likelihood method. Coefficient of determination and accurate prediction percentage were used in order to assess the finesses of sample’s data. Results showed that there is a significant differencebetween different groups of users in terms of considering grazing time. Having winter pastures, early arrival date, and late exit of pastoralism from summer rangelands had the highest effect. Based on achieved results, when heads of families were pastoralists, households were much more dependent on rangelands as a source of livelihood. Therefore, they entered earlier to summer rangelands. Besides, those who did not have winter pastures were less inclined to care about grazing time. In this regard, if they are further supported through handy feeding, they will be motivated to observe grazing time. Kuhdasht is an active center in livestock farming. Entrance into and exit of livestock out of the rangeland leaves direct and indirect impacts upon local life. It has as well negative effects on rangeland vegetation. Defining factors that affect on livestock entrance and exit will help planners to take appropriate measures for removing problems.
Ataolah Ebrahimi; valiollah Raufirad; Hosein Arzani; Zahra Shojaei Asadeiye
Abstract
Determination of rangeland species palatability has some functions such as defining the rangeland grazing capacity and plant composition estimation. Despite the importance of palatability in rangeland management, no appropriate palatability indicator has been defined yet. Therefore, developing an accurate, ...
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Determination of rangeland species palatability has some functions such as defining the rangeland grazing capacity and plant composition estimation. Despite the importance of palatability in rangeland management, no appropriate palatability indicator has been defined yet. Therefore, developing an accurate, applicable, general, and simple indicator for plant palatability estimation seems crucial. This research is an effort in this regard. To investigate the relationship between plant secondary compounds and palatability, plant species composition in the study area and in the sheep and goat diet as well as selection index were measured using chronometric and filming method. In the next stage, main plants’ secondary compounds in livestock diet were determined using GC/MSS. Then plants’ secondary compounds were ordinated using principle component analysis (PCA) method. Quantitative value of each plant species Eigen values on each of the main axis of PCA was regarded as a criterion for differentiation of plant species based on its secondary compounds. Finally, correlation between selection index of each plant species by sheep and goat (as dependent variable) with each plant species Eigen values on PCA axis (as independent variable) was determined. The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between the selection index of the species by sheep and goat with its secondary compounds (P≤0.05). So, it is concluded that secondary compounds are effective factors in animal’s diet selection for grazing. Therefore, secondary compounds are recommended as an important factor for plant palatability determination.
Reyhane Azimi; Mohammad Jankju; Hamid Reza Asghari
Abstract
Improved pasture establishment in plants, especially in arid and semi-arid is very important Application of biological fertilizers in pasture can be considered as a useful approach. that is one of the sources of the symbiotic fungus.. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possibility ...
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Improved pasture establishment in plants, especially in arid and semi-arid is very important Application of biological fertilizers in pasture can be considered as a useful approach. that is one of the sources of the symbiotic fungus.. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possibility of enhancing seedling establishment and growth rate of Bromus kopetdaghensis under natural habitats by inoculation with mycorrhiza species, Seeds of alfalfa were sown under greenhouse for 20 days and inculcated with two species of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae. After one month growth, the inoculated seedlings were transplanted into the natural as sub plots as split plot based on RCBD (Randomized complete block design) were evaluated with three replication. Inoculation percent with G.mosseae was 62/7 % and with of G. intraradices 81/3%. Symbiosis increased establishment of alfalfa at the early and late growth stages, with stronger effects G,intra than G.mosseae. Furthermore leaf and root dry matter, total dry matter and the ratio of above ground to underground plant parts was increased in association with G. intraradices, where as such effects were not associated with G.mosseae. In conclusions, it Glomus intraradices can be used as a biological fertilizer for establishment of alfalfa in semiarid rangeland of Bahar Kish rangeland, Quchan.
M. Navidi; F. Sarmadian; Sh. Mahmoudi
Volume 62, Issue 2 , October 2009, , Pages 299-309
Abstract
Sustainable exploitation of land resources is directly affected by considering soil quality which finally will also conclude environmental protection. Therefore, assessing different soil quality aspects which are sensitive to various land management practices seems too important. In this study, some ...
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Sustainable exploitation of land resources is directly affected by considering soil quality which finally will also conclude environmental protection. Therefore, assessing different soil quality aspects which are sensitive to various land management practices seems too important. In this study, some selected soil quality indicators have been compared in five land use systems including untouched rangelands, semi degraded rangelands due to grazing, rangelands that converted to rainfed agriculture, abandoned rainfed agriculture and an irrigated wheat farm in eastern Qazvin province, Iran. Samples were taken from the surface layer (A horizon) of soils in a completely randomized design with four replications. Statistical comparisons of the results revealed highest decrease in soil organic matter and total nitrogen owing to abandoned rainfed agriculture that showed 74% and 70% decline, respectively. Eventually the abandoned rainfed agriculture meets the sharpest slump in some soil properties such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorous, total porosity and thickness of A horizon. Meantime the most increase in bulk density was also in recent land use. According to the results, the negative effects of inappropriate land use changes were led to soil productivity decline and will cause undesirable consequences in soil quality. So maintenance of soil quality is critical to environmental sustainability and this should be done on the basis of recognition all features that reduce its quality.
