Journal of Range and Watershed Managment

Investigation of Vegetation Dynamics in the Semi-Steppe Rangelands of Isfahan Province (Case study: Doolat Gharin of Semirom)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Seyyed Morteza Abtahi

Assistant Professor, Research Division of Natural Resources, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan, I.R. IRAN.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jrwm.2016.61685
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 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.

Keywords

Climate
vegetation dynamics
Canopy cover
Semirom
Soil condition
Journal of Range and Watershed Managment
Volume 69, Issue 2
Summer 2016
Pages 311-322

  • Receive Date 10 January 2015
  • Revise Date 01 August 2016
  • Accept Date 10 May 2015
  • Publish Date 21 June 2016

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