Journal of Range and Watershed Managment

Applying Landscape Function Analysis Method in Order to Assess the Ecological Function of Plant Patches in Rangeland Management Treatments (Pilot: Kojour Noshahr Rangelands)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Sana Mohebbi
Ghasem Ali Dianati Tilaki
Mehdi Abedi

Tarbiat Modares University, Faculty of Natural Resources

https://doi.org/10.22059/jrwm.2016.61743
Abstract
Assessment of rangeland ecological characteristics have been proposed as an important factor in
reviewing and monitoring the effects of various management measures and it demands different
tools for quantifying and offering a reasonable criterion for comparison of different managements.
For this purpose, the Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) method is capable of displaying the
structural and functional status of pastureland with considering the basic and simple indicators and
it can be resorted to as a basis for selecting optimal and sustainable management. In this study, it
was found out that among different types of pasture management in Kojour Noshahr including;
exclosure, grazing, plowing and planting management - in almost identical conditions regarding
plant types, animal types, soil, geology, and climate the exclosure management was significantly
(P<0/05) more favorable than other kinds of managements in terms of structural and functional
features and it was followed by planting and grazing. Meanwhile, the plowed pastures were
significantly unfavorable (P<0/05) both in terms of structural features and functional characteristics.
Therefore; exclosure can be a perfect option to protect rangeland resources in this region.

Keywords

Rangeland
Health assessment
Ecological function
LFA
Kojour Noshahr
Journal of Range and Watershed Managment
Volume 69, Issue 1
Spring 2016
Pages 187-199

  • Receive Date 28 July 2014
  • Revise Date 07 July 2016
  • Accept Date 30 December 2014
  • Publish Date 21 May 2016

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