Mohammad Daneshi; Mojgansadat Azimi; Hamid Niknahad Gharehmakhor; Elham Faghani
Volume 30, Issue 4 , February 2024, , Pages 542-556
Abstract
Background and objectivesDue to the increase in the consumption of fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen-containing fertilizers, the entry of nitrogen into the cycle of ecosystems has been more than normal.Nitrogen deposition as a consequence of increasing nitrogen input to the atmosphere, ...
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Background and objectivesDue to the increase in the consumption of fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen-containing fertilizers, the entry of nitrogen into the cycle of ecosystems has been more than normal.Nitrogen deposition as a consequence of increasing nitrogen input to the atmosphere, can be a threat to ecosystems. It can affect soil properties, soil microorganisms and their activities, vegetation and animals. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of deposition of different rates of atmospheric nitrogen on the biochemical properties of a summer rangeland's soil. Methodology For this purpose, the seeds of Medicago sativa were planted in 36 pots containing rangeland soil in a completely randomized block design. Two months after seed germination in pots, six Nitrogen treatments included control,30, 60,90,120 and 150 kg ammonium nitrate/ha which dissolved in water were applied in 6 replications during a period of 75 days. At the end of experiment, some soil biochemical properties (acidity, electrical conductivity, absorbable phosphorus, total nitrogen, organic carbon and exchangeable potassium along with biomass and microbial respiration) and Root weight and depth factors were measured. Data analysis was done using analysis of variance method and mean comparison was done using Duncan's test. ResultsThe results demonstrated that increasing the level of ammonium nitrate deposition to 60 and 90 kg per hectare per year, despite the significant increase (p < 0.05) of organic carbon and total soil nitrogen, causes a significant decrease in other measured biochemical properties of the soil (p < 0.05). An increase in nitrogen deposition in the early stages may be partially responsible for root growth, but with nitrogen saturation in the soil and the occurrence of nitrate leaching, as well as the loss of soil fertility, unfavorable conditions for root growth are provided. With the increase of nitrogen deposition in the soil, up to the level of 60 kg /ha, the average respiration and microbial biomass increased, But at higher levels of nitrogen deposition, respiration and microbial biomass decreased.ConclusionIn case of an increase in mineral nitrogen deposition in the studied area, it is recommended to use the Medicago sativa in the improvement of vegetation restoration projects of summer rangelands to absorb the deposed mineral nitrogen in excess of the soil holding capacity, its alleviate negative consequences and creating a suitable root zone for the the activity of soil microbial.
Mojgansadat Azimi; samaneh Mahzari
Volume 25, Issue 1 , April 2018, , Pages 129-139
Abstract
In water efficiency studies, the values of runoff, evapotranspiration and range production are the main variables. Rangelands of Golestan province, Iran, have a high potential of run-off due to the geographical location, climate, and destruction of these resources as well as drastic ...
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In water efficiency studies, the values of runoff, evapotranspiration and range production are the main variables. Rangelands of Golestan province, Iran, have a high potential of run-off due to the geographical location, climate, and destruction of these resources as well as drastic land use change from forests and rangelands to agricultural lands. Therefore, in the present study, in order to determine the best management of rangelands, we developed a rangeland improvement model using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in the Gorganrud Watershed, Golestan Iran. Calibration and validation of model was performed using Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Program (SUFI-2) in the eco-hydrological model SWAT. For this purpose, the SWAT was calibrated and validated for a 31-year period of discharge and 5-year period of range production and then the model was executed for different scenarios of rangeland management. The results showed that the model performance was satisfactory for predicting discharge. The values of Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient were calculated to be 0.72, 0.71 and 0.64 in calibration period and 0.59, 0.48 and 0.53 in validation period for Basirabad, Tilabad and Haji Ghoshan stations, respectively. As well, four range improvement scenarios (mechanical, biological, biomechanical and livestock grazing management) were defined in this study. On average, by applying mechanical, biological, biomechanical, and grazing management scenarios evapotranspiration was increased to 2.3%, 12.8%, 15.5% and 2.8%, respectively, in comparison with actual evapotranspiration. According to the obtained results, the biomechanical scenario was identified as the best one in increasing evapotranspiration in poor and moderate rangelands.
Hosein arzani; Mahdi Adnani; Hosein Bashari; Mojgan azimi; Hosein Bagheri; Morteza Akbar zadeh; Hasan Kaboli
Volume 13, Issue 4 , February 2007, , Pages 296-313
Abstract
Rangelands have important role in economy of country because of providing forage for animals, soil and water conservation and other services giving to society. Therefore their careful management is necessary. To do this, main vegetative stepic regions of Qum province were ...
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Rangelands have important role in economy of country because of providing forage for animals, soil and water conservation and other services giving to society. Therefore their careful management is necessary. To do this, main vegetative stepic regions of Qum province were selected. In each community a key area was determined to establish a permanent site, so eight key areas were selected in the whole province. In each site four parallel, 400 meter transects were established. Canopy cover and yield within 60 quadrates in two square meter areas, along each transect were measured each year. According to the results, Qum's rangelands contain poor vegetation composition with low cover percentage and yield. Desirable species were absent in vegetation composition and moderate and non-desirable species made major part of vegetation cover and yield. Most Qum's rangelands suffer from over grazing and should be recovered by a suitable management program. Results showed significant relationships (P<0.05) between canopy cover and forage yield of studied species during 6 years (1999-2004). However regression models calculated based on correlation between cover and yield varied due to seasonal condition in each year.