Hossein Moradi; Mohammad Jafari; ِAli Tavili; Hossein Azarnivand; Mohammad Tahmoures; Esmaeil Alizadeh
Abstract
Integrated rangeland ecosystem management is recognized as an effective strategy for improving vegetation cover, forage production, and enhancing sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, the effects of various conservation and ecosystem restoration measures (including seeding, Transplanting, ...
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Integrated rangeland ecosystem management is recognized as an effective strategy for improving vegetation cover, forage production, and enhancing sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, the effects of various conservation and ecosystem restoration measures (including seeding, Transplanting, terracing combined with transplanting, contour banding with transplanting, pitting with seeding, and contour furrowing with transplanting) were investigated on vegetation characteristics and forage production in the rangelands of Vardij village, Tehran Province. Sampling was conducted systematically and randomly during the growing season using 4 m² plots along 100-meter transects. Vegetation characteristics were precisely recorded and the related data were analyzed. The results indicated that the aforementioned conservation measures had significant effects on vegetation variables, leading to a remarkable increase in vegetation canopy cover and a reduction in bare soil. The highest mean canopy cover (59.97%) and the lowest percentage of bare soil (7.93%) were observed in the transplanting treatment, whereas the control rangelands had the lowest canopy cover (23.2%) and the highest bare soil percentage (29.2%). Other methods, such as seeding and terrace transplanting, also showed positive effects on vegetation cover improvement. Regarding forage production, the transplanting treatment yielded the highest mean production (423 kg/ha), followed by seeding (367 kg/ha) and terrace transplanting (388 kg/ha). The control rangelands exhibited the lowest forage yield. These findings highlight the crucial role of conservation and restoration measures in enhancing vegetation cover and rangeland sustainability. Accordingly, it is recommended that future management plans utilize a combination of methods, including transplanting and seeding, to improve the quality and sustainability of rangeland ecosystems.
valiollah Raufirad; Qodratollah Heidari; Hossein Azadi; Jamshid Ghorbani
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess socio-economic vulnerability in lowland rangelands of Aran-v-Bidgol County. Accordingly, the most important socio-economic indices were identified using literature review. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran’s formula. Data was collected using ...
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The purpose of this study was to assess socio-economic vulnerability in lowland rangelands of Aran-v-Bidgol County. Accordingly, the most important socio-economic indices were identified using literature review. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran’s formula. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. A panel of experts and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient approved respectively the content validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Me-Bar and Valdez's vulnerability formula was applied to assess the socio-economic vulnerability. Results showed that “presence of experts in rangelands”, “local problems and the collapse of past utilization systems” and “number of rangeland users” were the most important indices of social vulnerability. Findings further indicated that “life expenses of rangeland users”, “number of livestock of rangeland users”, “economic status of rangeland users”, “livestock type” and “increasing prices” are the most important indices of economic vulnerability. The results also identified that more accuracy can be obtained to assess rangelands vulnerability by integrating social and economic factors at local scale. Therefore, policy-makers and rangeland managers and practitioners should pay more attention to socioeconomic factors at local scales to sustainable rangeland management.
