Dariush Ghorbanian; Ehsan Zandi esfahan; Heydar Sharafieh; Alireza Eftekhari
Abstract
The use of saline and lands low-yield lands for forage production is an important step towards optimal utilization of low quality soil and water resources and supplying livestock forage as well as conservation of soil and water resources. Therefore, this research was aimed to investigate the establishment ...
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The use of saline and lands low-yield lands for forage production is an important step towards optimal utilization of low quality soil and water resources and supplying livestock forage as well as conservation of soil and water resources. Therefore, this research was aimed to investigate the establishment potential, canopy cover percentage, height growth and yield. Garmasar Desert Research Station with a soil salinity of 30-35 ds/m and Atriplex canescens, Atriplex leucoclada, Atriplex verrocifera, Aeluropus lagopoides and Aeluropus littoralis were selected and the species were cultivated in three replications. In each replication, 15 individuals of the study species were cultivated on each row. According to the results, the establishment percentage of At. ca, At. le, At. ve, Ae. la and Ae. li was recorded to be 95.5%, 95.5%, 100%, 97.7%, and 100%, respectively, indicating high establishment potential. The results of analysis of variance for annual yield showed that all the study species were able to produce forage in saline lands with a soil salinity of 35 ds/m.Among the study species, At. ca and At. le had the highest canopy cover and height. The highest forage production (more than 2 kg ha-1) was recorded for At. le, compared with other study species.Our results clearly showed that yield and canopy cover superior to other traits in showing the differences among the study species.
Ataollah Ebrahimi
Abstract
Canopy cover and forage production have always been two important indicators in rangeland assessment, which sometimes are applied as surrogates of each other. These two indicators are widely used in rangeland studies and have a vital role in evaluation of rangeland structure and functions. Occasionally, ...
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Canopy cover and forage production have always been two important indicators in rangeland assessment, which sometimes are applied as surrogates of each other. These two indicators are widely used in rangeland studies and have a vital role in evaluation of rangeland structure and functions. Occasionally, different sampling groups (estimators) evaluate forage production and canopy cover of different spaces and times. This research was aimed at investigation of different sampling groups and life-forms' effects on relationship between canopy cover and forage yield estimation. To do so, the impact of three sampling groups and five life forms (Fixed factors) on estimation of relationship between canopy cover (covariate) and forage yield (dependent variable) in a full factorial model in rangeland of Chahrtagh of Naghan, Chahrmhal-va-Bakhtiari Province, was estimated. Results shows that predictor variable of canopy cover is a god surrogate for forage production (P≤0.05) of different life-forms, but different sampling groups significantly (P≤0.05) effects on relationship between canopy cover and forage production estimation. Nevertheless, different life-forms do not significantly (P≤0.05) influence estimation of canopy cover and forage production relationship. By the way, interaction between sampling group and life forms considerably (P≤0.05) affects the relation. Therefore, we conclude that, although, the canopy cover is a good predictor of forage production, nonetheless, different sampling groups should not be engaged in sampling and monitoring vegetation cover and forage production estimation, specifically, if estimation of different life-forms' production is intended.
esmaeil sheida karkaj; javad motamedi; fateme alilu; hamid sirusi
Abstract
Grazing management is one of the basic elements in managing rangeland ecosystems. Proper use of grazing lands in order to achieve optimal efficiency and maintain the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems is the purpose of grazing management. In order to evaluate the response of vegetation to grazing ...
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Grazing management is one of the basic elements in managing rangeland ecosystems. Proper use of grazing lands in order to achieve optimal efficiency and maintain the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems is the purpose of grazing management. In order to evaluate the response of vegetation to grazing in summer rangelands of Chahar Bagh region of Golestan province, vegetation density, vegetation cover and functional properties were measured at five different grazing sites. Thus, using the statistics method of samples and regarding the size of the dominant plants canopy, 20 plots 1*1 meter by using a systematic- random method was considered in order to do sampling in each site and the density, and vegetation cover were recorded within each plot. Finally, parameters were analyzed using Duncan test and analysis of variance and the vegetation compositions of sites were compared using cluster analysis and Jaccard's coefficient of similarity. Results showed that the grazing intensity have significant effect on the vegetation. As grazing intensity increased, the density of desirable species decreased and density of undesirable species increased. So, the enclosure site had the highest desirable species density. Moreover, some functional types such as perennials, Hemicryptophytes, Chamephytes, grasses and decreaser plants significantly reduce with increasing grazing intensity. The greatest increase belongs to grasses with density of 9.8 and class I of palatability with density of 22.8 in enclosure site. Between functional groups, grass life form had the greatest increases in enclosure site with the cover of 19.65 percent. According to results of clustering and similarity index, pen surrounding and watering sites had similar vegetation composition. Enclosure and key area also had similar composition. In general, it can be concluded that increase in grazing intensity has caused negative changes in vegetation in study sites and the changes in watering area, village vicinity and pen area clearly observed. So, using of the management methods in order to improve vegetation indices and pushing it toward balance is recommended.
Seyyed Morteza Abtahi
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate vegetation dynamics and range conditions considering the climatic conditions and soil properties in Doolat Gharin in the South of Isfahan province of an area equal to 25 square kilometer. For this purpose, after determining vegetation types and associated ...
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The purpose of this study was to investigate vegetation dynamics and range conditions considering the climatic conditions and soil properties in Doolat Gharin in the South of Isfahan province of an area equal to 25 square kilometer. For this purpose, after determining vegetation types and associated species, the type of rangeland utilization, grazing season, the type of livestock and other relevant information, and vegetation data including canopy cover of annuals, perennial forbs, shrubs, total canopy cover, soil moisture and carbon were determined during four years. Data was collected along three transects in each vegetation types. For each transect 10 plots were established. The size of plots was 1 x 2 m, considering the life form of dominant species. Embrothermic diagram was drawn according to the monthly temperature and precipitation data of Semirom station. Data was analyzed of variance and means comparison were made using Duncan method. According to the results, significant differences were observed between years for canopy cover of annuals, shrubs, forbs, grass, soil cover and soil moisture and Bromus tomentellus (P<0.01) and total canopy cover, Poa bulbosa and soil organic carbon (P<0.05). In this site, the amount of vegetation and its variation are affected by precipitation changes.
AliB. Mirgalili; MohammadR. Fazelpoor; fariba zakizadeh
Abstract
Grazing animals affect rangeland vegetation structure and function both directly and indirectly.These effects can be assessed in exclosures. In this study, vegetation changes inside and outside ofexclosures of Tanglaybid rangelands, located in south-western part of Yazd province, have beeninvestigated. ...
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Grazing animals affect rangeland vegetation structure and function both directly and indirectly.These effects can be assessed in exclosures. In this study, vegetation changes inside and outside ofexclosures of Tanglaybid rangelands, located in south-western part of Yazd province, have beeninvestigated. Vegetation changes study was carried out in 3 key areas inside and also 3 key areasoutside of exclosure and lasted for 5 years (2000-2005). Every key area included 3 transects of 100meters long and 40 meters intervals. The transects were selected vertical to slope, including 10fixed plots (2×1 m2). Vegetation cover, density and frequency percentage of each plot species weremeasured annually. The random- systematic method was applied as a sampling method. Vegetationchanges inside and outside of exclosure were assessed, in a completely random plan, applyingDuncan's test (P < 0.05). The results showed that vegetation cover percentages increasedsignificantly (P < 0.05), inside the exclosure comparing to outside of it. Mean coverage of annualand perennial grasses and also bushes, inside the exclosure comparing to its outside increased 47,38 and 7%, respectively. Thus, in present research, exclosure has positive effects on vegetationcover changes of several species. Frequency percentage results showed that there was no significantdifference, inside against outside the exclosure in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Regardingdensity, there was significant difference only in 2001.The results can be considered in futuremanagement of the area's rangelands and similar regions throughout Iran
Seyedeh Zohreh Mirdeilami; Esmaeil Sheidai; Moosa Akbalou
Abstract
Considering the importance of vegetation changes and awareness of its destruction or improvement trends in programming and its proper managing of utilization, this study was conducted in order to survey the effects of grazing on the qualitative and quantitative components of vegetation (including life ...
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Considering the importance of vegetation changes and awareness of its destruction or improvement trends in programming and its proper managing of utilization, this study was conducted in order to survey the effects of grazing on the qualitative and quantitative components of vegetation (including life form, growth form, palatability class, plant families and species diversity) and recognition their most important changes in both grazing and enclosed sites in Kalpush plain, Golestan provience. For this purpose, samples were taken via 78 plot 1 square meter in a randomly- systematic method. Mean comparison of the components and recognition of the most changeable components in consequent implementing grazing management were done with t-student test and principle component analysis (PCA) respectively using Spss software. According to the vegetation study, 13 species belong to Asteraceae family and 10 species to Poaceae family and there are 69 Herbaceous species, 13 Grass species and 5 shrubs species of plants in this region. The results of t-Student test indicate an increase in relative density of Therophytes and class I plants, and decrease in Cryptophytes and class III in the enclosed. Also the results point out that grazing has caused increasing in the relative canopy of Shrubs and Champhyte and decreasing in Therophytes, Forbs in the region. Comparison of relative density and canopy cover of plant species in two sites showed a relatively good effect of rangeland enclosing in increasing of the density, restoration and recovery of species composition and diversity. Principal component analysis also showed that the most changeable components in consequent of rangeland enclosing were Forbs, Hemicryphtophyte, Therophyte, Appiacea and Brassicacea families in positive and Shrubs in negative of first axis. Also the Papaveracea and Asteracea families have the most incremental changes in the second component.
J. Sharifi; M. Akbarzadeh
Abstract
A major part of the rangelands of Iran are located in arid and semi-arid regions. In this climate, rainfall fluctuation is an important factor which affects vegetation and forage production. In dry years that rainfall decreases, surface vegetation and forage production is damaged. This study was conducted ...
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A major part of the rangelands of Iran are located in arid and semi-arid regions. In this climate, rainfall fluctuation is an important factor which affects vegetation and forage production. In dry years that rainfall decreases, surface vegetation and forage production is damaged. This study was conducted on semi-steppic rangelands of Ardebil over nine years (1999-2007), to study of vegetation changes with rainfall fluctuation. The results showed that canopy cover of Salsola gemmascens and Noaea mucronata species was decreased but Artemisia fragrans and Kochia prostrata species were increased.Generally density of shrub species was decreased about 40% and showed a positive correlation with seasonal precipitation (fall and winter). Grass species showed different response to precipitation changes over nine years period and in general, no significant changes were observed. Stipa hohenackeriana species was affected by winter precipitation but Poa bulbosa and Cynodon dactylon were correlated with spring precipitation. Density of perennial forbs species was increased considerably (about seven times), but in dry years (2000-2002) forage production reduced. Forage production over nine years increased from 296 kg to 747 kg per hectare, which is approximately 2.5 times higher. Meanwhile, proportion of plants in classes I, II and III, were respectively, 23.1, 51.9 and 25.2 percent of forage production. Also, forage production in wet periods increased from 747 to 1968 kg per hectare which shows an increase of about seven times.
