Journal of Range and Watershed Managment

Net primary production variations under the effect of topographic factors in mountain rangelands of Namin county

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Elnaz Hassanzadeh Kuhsareh 1
ardavan ghorbani 2
Mehdi Moameri 3
kazem hashemi majd 2
Ardeshir pounemati 4

1 Department of Range and Watershed management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 mohaghegh ardabili university

3 Mohaghegh University

4 Gorgani university

https://doi.org/10.22059/jrwm.2018.244026.1176
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of altitude, slope, aspect and topographic index on life forms and total net primary production (NPP) in mountains meadows in Fandoghlou in Namin county in Ardabil province. NPP in three altitude, slope, topographic index classes and four aspect classes was estimated using one m2 plots (totally 180 plots) by harvesting and weighting method. Correlation between life forms and total NPP with topographic factors were analyzed using stepwise multivariate regression method and using derived regression equations, the maps of NPP were derived. Results show that different topographic factors has significant effects on forbs (p<0.01) and grasses (p<0.01), however on total NPP have no significant effects. The highest NPP of forbs (1584/1 Kg/ha) and total NPP (2339/3 Kg/ha) were observed in the second altitude (1525-1564 m) but has no significant effect on grasses. The NPP of grasses show direct relationship with slope, however the NPP of forbs were decreased with the increase of slope and has no significant effect on total NPP. The highest amount of grasses (894/3 kg/ha) and forbs (1875/5 Kg/ha) were observed in the south and northwest aspect, respectively. According to the various classes of topographic index, the maximum amount of grasses (853/4 Kg/ha) were observed in the first classes and the highest NPP of forbs (1568/6 Kg/ha) on the third classes. The results of this study can be used to balance the amount of biomass, carbon, the supply and demand of and to plan for proper rangeland management.

Keywords

NPP modeling
Biomass
life form
Ecological factors
Meadow rangeland
Fandoghlou region
Journal of Range and Watershed Managment
Volume 70, Issue 4
Winter 2018
Pages 851-867

  • Receive Date 18 October 2017
  • Revise Date 23 January 2018
  • Accept Date 27 January 2018
  • Publish Date 22 December 2017

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