Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Associate Professor, Rangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran,
Abstract
The role of shepherds in maintaining, managing and distributing livestock in rangelands is very important. Flock guidance plays a major role in the distribution of grazing and livestock performance in rangelands. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the existing spatial system and it is clear to what extent livestock are given in appropriate places according to ecological criteria and indices. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of shepherds in herding and distribution of livestock (sheep) and its adaptation to rangeland suitability map. Record of movement of livestock in different months of the grazing season by GPS and its adaptation to rangeland suitability map which is led by shepherds in areas where the limitations of forage production and sometimes, the sensitivity of soil to erosion, have little value for why. Therefore, the hypothesis of the study that shepherd does not play an effective role in the distribution of livestock on the basis of rangeland merit is confirmed and given that shepherds have given the animals in places where they have little merit for why, it is concluded that the spatial system in the rangelands of the region is not efficient. Therefore, the use of new technologies such as GPS and electrical fences along with native knowledge in order to properly control the herd and reduce the burden of livestock grazing in the areas that are not based on ecological criteria and indicators, do not have the necessary merit, is suggested.
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