Document Type : Research Paper

Author

University Staff

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, 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.

Keywords

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