Farshad Keivan Behjou; Adel Esmailnejad Onari; Sajad ghanbari
Volume 28, Issue 2 , June 2021, , Pages 252-265
Abstract
Rangelands as the main part of natural resources are considered a basis for the economic growth and development of communities and countries at the micro and macro levels. Increasing the number of livestock has led to the degradation of rangelands, so it is necessary to control grazing. The purpose of ...
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Rangelands as the main part of natural resources are considered a basis for the economic growth and development of communities and countries at the micro and macro levels. Increasing the number of livestock has led to the degradation of rangelands, so it is necessary to control grazing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the implementation of rangeland management plans on the production and economic status of summer rangeland owners in Aminabad and KourAbbasloo, Nir city, Ardabil province. To determine the BCR, the economic evaluation of the plans, and their impact on the income of ranchers, data was collected by questionnaire. The results showed that there was a significant difference between income before (4.16 million Rials/ha) and after implementation of the rangelands plan (5.46 million Rials/ha) at (p < /em><0.01). There was a significant difference at (p < /em><0.01) in the amount of production before and after the project implementation with the amount of (293.05 kg ha-1) and (411.6 kg ha-1) respectively at KourAbbasloo rangelands in the third period of the implementation of the plan. Regression analysis showed that the two variables of the effect of project implementation on rangeland status and the effect of loan payment on rangeland plan implementation were able to justify 72% of changes in users' satisfaction with the implementation of the rangeland management plan. The results of the economic analysis of the rangeland plan implementation showed that the project has a positive net present value of 6439 million Rials ha-1. It has also generated a BCR of about 5.5 times. Overall, the results of this study showed that the rangelands with management plans had better conditions than without ones in terms of production and economics. Implementation of rangeland management plans can increase production and improve rangeland status and income of landholders if it is in line with ecological, economic, and social conditions of the rangelands.
Jaber Sharifi; Amrali Shahmoradi; Ali Akbar Emani
Volume 17, Issue 2 , September 2010, , Pages 221-233
Abstract
In order to recognize, find and use applicable information in range management and forage production, surveying of ecological characteristics of Astragalus brachyodontus were carried out. The method of studying was as following. At the first step, we used a map of vegetation cover and surveyed range ...
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In order to recognize, find and use applicable information in range management and forage production, surveying of ecological characteristics of Astragalus brachyodontus were carried out. The method of studying was as following. At the first step, we used a map of vegetation cover and surveyed range ecosystems to determine the habitats of this species in Ardebil province. Then, in every region, considering area and vegetation cover, we selected about six sites to study different ecological characteristics of the plant. In each of these areas, The factors related to total canopy cover, species frequency and amount of forage yield were measured. Also some qualitative characteristics such as root system, stem, seed quality, regeneration, preference value and chemical composition of the plant were studied. Results showed that this species is found between 1100 m to 2200 m above sea level in Ardabil province. Generally, the individuals of this species are distributed in mountain hills. Slopes of the habitats are 5 to 30 percent with south and south eastern aspects. Mid-term average of annual precipitation is 385 millimeters and average annual temperature is 17 degree centigrade. This species grows on soils with pH of about 7 and soils textures of sandy lome to clay lome. In terms of canopy cover, this species includes 5 to 15 percent of the vegetation. Depth of root system in soil vary form 30 to 80 centimeters. In habitats with 1500 meters elevation, vegetative growth starts in mid April. Completion of vegetative growth is in late May. Full flowering, seed ripening, and seed dissemination occurs in early June, early July, and late July, respectively. For this plant species, seed production and regeneration is relatively high in exclosure areas which are protected against grazing. In grazed areas, however, regeneration is low. Based on feeding minutes, preference value of this range plant species is very high. Considering forage digestibility and the amount of crude protein for this species, the best time to graze it is the time of flowering stage. The important pest of this species is a kind of small wasp from Eurytomidae family that feeds from the kernels of seeds and causes hollowness in them.