Journal of Range and Watershed Managment

Abstract Mining and its various stages is one of the important factors in spreading pollution in natural environments. Contaminations may affect soil and water resources and actually enter the food chain due to absorption by plants. Among mineral elements, lead is more important because of its toxic effects. In order to investigate distribution of lead in downstream soils of Kushk Lead and Zinc Mine and identify anthropogenic and geogenic natures of pollution spread, a classified random systematic sampling was carried out. Sampling interval was 500 to1500 meters and soils were sampled in 0-5 and 5-30 centimeters depths. A control sample area with similar characteristics was considered in the vicinity of the region. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MASS method and the lead content of the samples was determined. Using Enrichment Factor and Geoaccumulation Index, the extension and severity of pollution are determined and related maps are prepared. Conclusions show that average amounts of lead in topsoil is about 4 times of subsoil and one kilometer far from mine, lead content of soil is more than 290 PPM that is more than permissible amounts. Moreover, the difference between lead content in topsoil and subsoil shows that the contamination in these areas is anthropogenic. Contamination reduces by going further from mine and the highest amount of emission of lead is around the main watercourse.

Abstract The present study investigates the effect of restoration actions on Mesquite tree planting, the construction Furrow Contour actions and Eucalyptus tree planting on physical and chemical properties of soil in a Chahshirin in 75 km of Behbahan city. In this study, along with each treatment, a non-operational correction treatment was selected as a control, two of which were adjacent to each other. Systematic random sampling was carried out during 3 transects of 100 meters in two depths of 30-0 and 60-30 cm soil in each site of correction and control. Soil samples were transferred to the laboratory and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, organic carbon, lime, clay, silt, sand, electrical conductivity and acidity factors were measured. The results of the independent t-test showed that the factors studied had a significant difference at the level of 1% and 5% compared to the control area. Also, the results of analysis of variance ANOVA between correction treatments in the first and second depths for phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, carbon, lime and Ec showed a significant difference at 1% level. Also, for nitrogen at the first depth and the amount of silt and sand in the second depth, a significant difference was observed at 1% level. In other words, it was observed that the three restoration actions carried out had positive effects on the soil properties; the planting of the tree and the construction of the Farrow Contour had better conditions than the Eucalyptus tree plant site.

Abstract Steam condensation system in soil is a new and developing method that is capable of regenerating land using renewable energy. In this method, the supply of water and moisture, is obtained from the air steam transferred directly to the root zone. The method is used to increase the moisture content of different soils improved with organic matter. The results of this study showed that steam condensation has a significant role in increasing soil moisture and has a promising prospect. The moisture content stored in organic soils improved by more than 11% during the experiment. Statistical evaluation of measured data showed that with a 99 percent chance, the method can help to increase soil moisture. Also, with a 99% chance of changing these factors, it's best to increase soil moisture. By changing soil texture with a 95% probability, the best effect can be achieved in increasing moisture content. The results showed that soil with moderate texture, 35% organic matter and steam 45 ° C with coated conducting tube had better conditions than moisture and temperature in comparison with other treatments

Abstract Different plants have different effects on the characteristics of their surroundings, especially on the soil. Soil properties also have the different effects of these plants on them. In this research, the effect of capparis spinosa on the soil characteristics of three areas with different soil characteristics was evaluated. The under-floor soils of the capper plant in three depths of 0-30, 60-30 and 60-90 cm, compared to the non-vegetation soils, were taken in three different geographic regions with six replicates and a total of 108 depth samples, and in The laboratory measured some of their physical and chemical properties. SPSS software was used to analyze the data and to compare the measured characteristics with non-pairs F and T tests. The results showed that the effect of capper plant on the characteristics of saline soils is a significant reduction of salinity and soil salts, reducing SAR and simultaneously improving some of the characteristics of fertility, such as increasing the potassium available in these areas. Also, in soils with light and medium non-saline texture, significant increase in available potassium levels and SAR reduction were observed in the lagging soil.

Abstract Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different intensities of grazing on soil chemical properties on Gonbad paired basins-Hamadan. The objective of this research was to characterize the impact of sheep grazing intensity on soil chemical behavior on mountainous in Hamadan rangelands (Gonbad paired basins). Grazing intensity was classified as light, moderate and heavy, then the soil samples from the three depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm were collected. The soil data was analyzed via SPSS (ANOVA). Results showed that the soil OC, total N content and organic matter decreased significantly with grazing intensity and they were greatest at the surface and decreased with depth. The amount of Calcium and Magnesium won't be affected by grazing intensity. The decreases in soil OC suggest Carbon storage in the soil of grassland declined as grazing intensity increased. Combined with the decreases in soil TN content, this also means heavy grazing could lead to decreases in soil quality and fertility. Uneven grazing intensity is an inherent feature of a season long-grazing system and there are risks to avoid quality and environmental health.

Abstract This research was done to investigate the effects of change in land use on chemical soil properties in Jamalabad region of Baft county of Kerman province. The experiment was conducted in six  sites with the same ecological condition as non grazed site (NG) for 10 years, a moderately grazed site (MG) and a heavily grazed site (HG), a dry farming site of barley and wheat (D), a long time fallow site for 5 years (F)  and a plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site (Gl T). Soil samples were collected from two soil horizons (0-15 and 15-30 centimeters) based on a randomized complete blocked design with six replications from each horizon in 2013. Samples were sent to laboratory for soil chemical properties as organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, PH and electrical conductivity. The results indicated that Land use change significantly decreased organic carbon, potassium content, available phosphorous and nitrogen content as 58.2, 21, 23.5 and 71 percent in dry farming site and 58, 17.3, 19 and 60 percent in plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site compared to non grazed site. A decreasing trend of organic carbon was seen in moderately and heavily grazed sites in comparison to non grazed site as 42 and 56 percent, respectively. Available potassium of moderately and non grazed sites were maximum. Total nitrogen of soil in moderately and heavily grazed sites was decreased in comparison to non grazed site as 0.035 and 0.04 percent. PH of soil was significantly changed only between non grazed and plowed Glycyrrhiza glabra site (Gl T). Electrical conductivity of soil was increased in dry farming site (165 percent) and heavily grazed site (140 percent) in comparison to non grazed site. According to negative effects of land use change on soil quality and remaining this harmful effect after release of dry farming lands, our recommendation to natural resources offices are programs preventing rangeland occupying, minimizing giving off rangelands, rehabilitation of released dry farming by pioneer plants and improvement of soil qualities in root collection designs of Glycyrrhiza glabra. 

Abstract Abiotic factors, as topographic and physicochemical properties of soil, are the most important effective factor on vegetation in rangeland ecosystems which have the most important performances to forming and succession of plant vegetation. Ecologic management of rangelands can be desired by better understanding of these effective factors. Then, rangeland of Javaherdeh (Ramsar) in the northern Alborz Mountains ranging 2000-3200 m a.s.l. was selected in this study and altitudinal classes of 300 meter were selected to obtain field records on the basis of field monitoring and plants structures. About 15 plots (1 m²) in each altitudinal class were considered in order to obtain the field data, e.g. percentage of life-form covers. It was also chosen five plots to gather soil samples. Statistical analyses, using cluster analysis, DCA and CCA, were done by PC-Ord V.5.1 software. The results showed that life forms of plant under 183 species and 33 families have been divided into five sub-associations so that their segregation is done based upon elevation, aspect, and soil properties. Multivariate analysis (CCA) also can as well divide the life forms of plants based on their ecological requirements into subgroups include annual and perennial grasses with perennial forbs, annual forbs, shrubs, and bushy trees. These life forms are also found different ecologic niches funded upon influence of the topographic factors and physicochemical properties of soils. Hence, ecologic management of terrestrial ecosystems needs to knowing and understanding of vegetation structures under different environmental factors.

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between litter quality and aerial parts of plant on C, N, K, P and C/N ratio of soil in four rangeland species including Agropyron intermedium, Bromus tomentellus, Eurotia ceratoides and kochia prostrata. After recognizing the sites of these species in Hamand Absard located in 65 km of northern Tehran, at the end of growing season, samples of litter, aerial part of plants and soil were taken using systematic- random method. For this purpose, five transects, each of l00 m length and 50 m spacing were taken. Two plots in each transect with an area of 1 m2 were established. In each plot, soil samples under plants and without plant area (control samples) at depth of 0-30 cm were taken. The C, N, P, K, EC, pH and texture of samples were analyzed in laboratory. Analysis of variance, Dunnett's test and t-student test were applied to the data. Results show that in the aerial part of plant, C and C/N ratio of Agropyron intermedium and P, K and N of Kochia prostrata are higher than other species. In case of litter, C, K and C/N of Eurotia ceratoides and N and P of Kochia prostrata showed higher values. However the results of soil samples show that C of Agropyron intermedium, N and C/N of Kochia prostrata and K of Bromus tomentellus are higher than other species. Totally, Kochia prostrata showed the best litter quality, decomposition rate and effects on soil.