Amin Mohammadi Ostadkalayeh; Abolfazl Tahmasebi; Mojtaba Kashani; Mehdi Keshavarz Ghorabaee
Volume 31, Issue 1 , June 2024, , Pages 93-106
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesSound natural resource governance arises from the interplay of social and institutional-environmental responses by all stakeholders. This collaborative approach provides a platform for strengthening civil society alongside the government and private sector in natural resource ...
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Background and ObjectivesSound natural resource governance arises from the interplay of social and institutional-environmental responses by all stakeholders. This collaborative approach provides a platform for strengthening civil society alongside the government and private sector in natural resource management. Traditional management methods need help to address the increasing complexity of natural resource issues. Consequently, several approaches have emerged in recent years, with good governance being the most prominent.Golestan province, occupying 1.3% of Iran's land area (20,367 square kilometers), is in the country's north. Unfortunately, deforestation, excessive livestock grazing, and other human activities have threatened Golestan's natural resources in recent decades, posing significant challenges. The depletion of natural resources, coupled with environmental crises like floods and droughts, underscores the need for a detailed investigation of the province's natural resource management practices. This study aims to evaluate the alignment of natural resource management in Golestan province with sound governance principles.MethodologySeven indicators were selected for this research based on a comprehensive review of global and regional studies: participation, accountability, responsibility, rule of law and justice, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, and consensus. The eastern cities of Golestan province served as the unit of analysis, with natural resource users and experts in these areas constituting the analysis unit. Cochran's formula determined the sample size, resulting in a target of 189 participants. After receiving and reviewing the questionnaires, 177 valid responses were included for statistical analysis. Additionally, 70 natural resource experts were selected to complete the questionnaire. User samples were randomly selected, while all experts were included (complete counting). Data analysis involved t-tests and analysis of variance.ResultsFrom the users' perspective, the overall good governance index for natural resources averaged 2.8884, less than the theoretical average. This indicates weak governance according to the study area's natural resource users. The lowest average scores were assigned to the rule of law, justice, transparency, and accountability. Experts expressed higher satisfaction levels with all indicators, with the highest scores (3.46 and 3.42) for accountability and responsibility, respectively. Experts identified efficiency and effectiveness as the most crucial factor for good governance, while users prioritized participation.ConclusionThe results reveal that the overall good governance index falls below the theoretical average, suggesting relatively weak governance of natural resources from the stakeholders' perspective in the studied area. This research emphasizes the importance of user involvement in natural resource projects, effective utilization of local knowledge, and strengthening cooperatives to improve the region's natural resource governance.
Mohammadreza Shahraki; Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani; Abdolrahim Lotfi
Volume 28, Issue 1 , April 2021, , Pages 138-150
Abstract
Adverse climate change, drought, and floods have a negative impact on natural resources, crops, and livestock production as the main sources of livelihood for the villagers. Therefore, it is important to study the perception of rural communities about the occurrence of climate change and its relationship ...
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Adverse climate change, drought, and floods have a negative impact on natural resources, crops, and livestock production as the main sources of livelihood for the villagers. Therefore, it is important to study the perception of rural communities about the occurrence of climate change and its relationship with a sustainable livelihood. The present study was conducted for this purpose by descriptive-survey research method. In this study, 297 residents Age 35 years and older in 10 villages of the Oghan watershed in Golestan province were surveyed. The data collection tool of the questionnaire was developed by the researcher; its content validity was confirmed using the opinions of university academics and natural resources experts. The results showed that age, number of livestock, history of animal husbandry, length of stay in the village, and income of individuals with their perception of the symptoms of climate change have a positive and significant relationship. Findings of structural equation model evaluation showed a causal relationship between the perception of the occurrence of climate change symptoms and individuals' livelihood changes so that with increasing awareness of villagers about the occurrence of climate change symptoms, their livelihood is facing more changes.
Esmaiel Sheidai Karkaj; Hosein Rezaei; Hamid Niknahad Gharemakher; Isa Jafari Footami; Abolfazl Sharifian
Volume 26, Issue 4 , December 2019, , Pages 904-917
Abstract
Soil aggregate stability and soil structure considered as the key indicators of range soil health and counted as effective factors in soil erosion control. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of exclosure on the stability of aggregates and soil structure in four areas of Golestan ...
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Soil aggregate stability and soil structure considered as the key indicators of range soil health and counted as effective factors in soil erosion control. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of exclosure on the stability of aggregates and soil structure in four areas of Golestan province including Chaharbagh, Incheboron, Gomishan and Maravetapeh. Soil sampling was carried out from two depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm by digging profile in random-systematic method along transects in each of exclosure and adjacent sites of quadruple areas. Aggregates stability was measured by the method of wet sieving in the laboratory. The results were analyzed statistically using independent and paired samples t-test for exclosure sites and adjacent exclosure sites as well as two corresponding depths, respectively. In the most of studied sites, the aggregate stability values were higher in the surface soil than the deep soil.The results indicated that the effect of rangeland exclosure on morphological changes and soil status indicating positive role in development of soil structure in all studied areas, however, these results were statistically significant only in the Incheboron and Gommishan area in view point of soil aggregate stability. The highest value of soil stability was in the first depth (4.52 mm) of Gomishan exclosure site and the lowest one was in the second depth (1.15 mm) in Gomishan grazing site. The final result showed that regardless of positive role of exclosure in promoting the stability of aggregate, factors such as geographic position of rangeland, climate, vegetation type and grazing conditions as the associated factors affecting the stability of aggregate and soil structure should be considered.
Mohammadali Dorri
Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2019, , Pages 103-120
Jamshid Khatir Nameni
Volume 12, Issue 3 , August 2019, , Pages 311-334
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.
Mohammad Pasandi; ali hosseini; abdollah kavian
Volume 24, Issue 3 , October 2017, , Pages 537-546
Ghasem Ali Abrsaji; Mohammad Mahdavi; Mohmmad Hasan Jouri
Volume 22, Issue 2 , August 2015, , Pages 308-318
Abstract
This research was aimed to investigate some ecological characteristics of Frankenia hirsuta in saline rangelands of Golestan Province. This region has saline soil with high underground water table, and halophytes usually grow naturally in this area. For this purpose, some factors such as soil characteristics, ...
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This research was aimed to investigate some ecological characteristics of Frankenia hirsuta in saline rangelands of Golestan Province. This region has saline soil with high underground water table, and halophytes usually grow naturally in this area. For this purpose, some factors such as soil characteristics, vegetative cover, phenology, forage quality, preference value and so forth were determined. According to the results, this species is usually distributed on silt-loam soils with an acidity of 7.7 to 7.8 and EC (Electrical Conductivity) ranged between 28.2 to 30.2 dS/m. The autumn regrowth of this species starts in October but, active vegetative growth begins at the middle of February, flowering occurs in June and seed ripening occurs in August. At vegetative growth stage, this species consists of 10.3% crude protein, which is decreased to 8.7% at flowering stage and 7.1% at seed ripening stage. In addition to the main root, this species has also lateral roots. The main root length is usually short around 5 cm but the lateral root length is about 50 cm, moving horizontally at first and then penetrates deeply. Overall, in saline rangelands of Golestan Province, this species has been distributed as patches in low lands and the places with suitable moisture and relatively less salinity. In order to protection and sustainable utilization of this species, it is suggested that the seeds of this plant be sown every few years in the prone areas. In addition, the time of enter and exit of livestock have to be chosen carefully.
Gholamreza Naseri; Ghasemali Abrsaji; Mohammad Fayaz
Volume 22, Issue 2 , August 2015, , Pages 373-381
Abstract
This research was aimed to study the preference value of range species in Til Abad rangelands. To determine the preference value, timing method as well as measuring the production and consumption of species was used. According to the results of analysis of variance, significant differences were found ...
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This research was aimed to study the preference value of range species in Til Abad rangelands. To determine the preference value, timing method as well as measuring the production and consumption of species was used. According to the results of analysis of variance, significant differences were found for the study species in timing method, so that maximum consumption time was recorded for Artemisia sieberi, Poa bulbosa and annual species, respectively. The results of species utilization percentage also showed that there were significant differences among the study species. The highest consumption rate was recorded for Poa bulbosa and annual species. Artemisia sieberi, Festuca ovina and Stipa barbata had an average preference value; however, Poa bulbosa and annual species were relatively palatable. Our results clearly showed that species density and abundance and access to forage species strongly affected the preference value. Generally, in bothe methods studied, Artemisia sieberi, Poa bulbosa and annual species were more grazed as compared to other species.
Seyed Ali Hoseini; Jamshid Khatirnamani; Morteza Akbarzadeh
Volume 21, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 685-697
Abstract
Studies on vegetation changes in rangelands, under grazing and exclosure conditions are important in planning range management programs. This research was aimed to investigate the changes in vegetation inside and outside three exclosures of Maraveh tapeh during 1997-2005. The canopy cover was measured ...
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Studies on vegetation changes in rangelands, under grazing and exclosure conditions are important in planning range management programs. This research was aimed to investigate the changes in vegetation inside and outside three exclosures of Maraveh tapeh during 1997-2005. The canopy cover was measured each year, in several permanent plots, inside and outside the exclosure. To study the effects of precipitation on the changes of cover, the correlation between canopy cover of species and vegetative forms inside the exclosure and the precipitation of months and different vegetative stages were calculated. Results showed that total canopy cover in 2005 was significantly higher than that of 1997, both inside and outside the exclosure, mainly due to the increased cover of annuals. On the contrary, the cover of perennials decreased inside and outside the exclosure. Reduction in the cover of perennials was mainly related to grasses. In the last year of study, compared to the first year, total cover of class II species reduced drastically contrary to the cover of class III species. Although changes in canopy cover were influenced by precipitation, correlation coefficients were just significant for total canopy cover and vegetation cover of perennials. However, exclosure cannot be used as a method of range improvement in these rangelands. For rehabilitation of these areas, direct human intervention is necessary.
Seyed Ali Hoseini; Mansour Mesdaghi; Serkis Pambukhchyan
Volume 21, Issue 2 , August 2014, , Pages 189-197
Abstract
Determination of forage quality is one of the fundamental factors for suitable management. There are spatial and temporal variations in quality of rangeland species. In this study, forage quality of five important grasses of Bromus tomentellus, Poa angustifolia, Festuca ovina, Agropyron ...
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Determination of forage quality is one of the fundamental factors for suitable management. There are spatial and temporal variations in quality of rangeland species. In this study, forage quality of five important grasses of Bromus tomentellus, Poa angustifolia, Festuca ovina, Agropyron intermedium and Agropyron trichophorum were measured at three phenological stages (vegetative growth, full flowering and seed ripening) in summer rangelands of Golestan province. For this purpose, five replications were randomly selected from each phenological stage. Quality factors of crude protein, ADF, crude fiber, dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy were measured using in vitro procedures. The results obtained from chemical analysis were analyzed in a factorial experiment at randomized complete block design with SAS software. Results showed that forage quality differed significantly for different species as well as at different phenological stages (p<0.05). Among studied species, the highest forage quality was related to Bromus tomentellus while the lowest was related to Agropyron trichophorum. The highest and the lowest forage quality were recorded for vegetative growth and seed ripening stages, respectively.
Omol banin Bazr afshan; Mohsen Mohseni saravi; Arash Malekian; Abalfazl Moeini
Volume 18, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 395-407
Abstract
Drought is defined as the continuous and abnormal moisture deficit. The term of continuous means continuation of deficit and the term of abnormal means deviation of favorite index of natural condition from the mean. In every drought study four main characteristics are considered: severity, duration, ...
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Drought is defined as the continuous and abnormal moisture deficit. The term of continuous means continuation of deficit and the term of abnormal means deviation of favorite index of natural condition from the mean. In every drought study four main characteristics are considered: severity, duration, frequency or return period and areal extent. The objective of this investigation is mapping drought severity in Golestan province. For this purpose, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used for drought monitoring in some meteorological stations located in Golestan province. This index was computed in a period of 25 years precipitation data (1975-2000) at four different time scales including 6,9,12, and 24 months. Consequently, the most sever drought in 6 month time scale was observed in Saliantapeh station while the highest severity in 9, 12, and 24 time scales was observed in Polejadeh station. The aerial extent SPI values for the most severe drought condition in different time scales were classified in Golestan province using geostatical techniques. The results showed that the area affected by drought decreased with increasing drought duration and the condition of drought in the province had west-east direction
Syed Ali Hoseini; Manijeh Tavan; Hosein Eisaei
Volume 18, Issue 2 , September 2011, , Pages 280-291
Abstract
The amount of water infiltration into the soil depends on many factors such as soil texture, soil structure, initial moisture content, soil bulk density, canopy cover, plant age, organic matter and the plant succession stages. Livestock trampling and reduction of the vegetation cover due to the overgrazing ...
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The amount of water infiltration into the soil depends on many factors such as soil texture, soil structure, initial moisture content, soil bulk density, canopy cover, plant age, organic matter and the plant succession stages. Livestock trampling and reduction of the vegetation cover due to the overgrazing are considered as the most important factors affecting the amount of infiltration in rangelands. Winter rangelands of inchehbroon with dominant species of Halocnemum strobilaceum are introduced as the halophyte rangelands in Golestan province. Distribution pattern of plant species in these rangelands is spots surrounded by bare soil in the form of islands. In this study, heavy grazing area was determined and for measuring water infiltration into the soil, paired rings (dublering) were used. Parameters of infiltration intensity, final infiltration, cumulative infiltration and infiltration time were investigated in vegetation types of Halocnemum strobilaceum, Aeluropus lagopoides and bare soil. The results of the data analysis showed that there were no significant differences in infiltration intensity and infiltration time among Halocnemum strobilaceum, Aeluropus lagopoides and bare soil while final infiltration and cumulative infiltration significantly differed
Reza Arefian; Abolreza Dehbandi
Volume 9, Issue 2 , September 2001, , Pages 571-580