Mohammad Zadbar; Somayyeh Naseri; Mohammad Fayaz
Volume 23, Issue 4 , March 2017, , Pages 744-759
Abstract
Environmental factors including rainfall are the factors affecting palatability of plants and consequently the preference value for animals. In this study, the preference value of plants was determined in Sarakhs (winter rangeland at North-East of Khorassan province) by timing method during 2007 to 2010 ...
Read More
Environmental factors including rainfall are the factors affecting palatability of plants and consequently the preference value for animals. In this study, the preference value of plants was determined in Sarakhs (winter rangeland at North-East of Khorassan province) by timing method during 2007 to 2010 for the two first months of growing season (March and April).The results showed that Artemisia diffiusa, Carex physioides and Poa bulbosa were grazed in all four years by livestock, indicating that these species were more palatable. The preference value of the species differed between drought and normal years.According to the obtained results,a high correlation was found between the grazing time of Poa bulbosa and pervious rainfalls.Also, a significant relationship was found between the grazing time of Carex physioides in March and the rainfall of autumn, January and total rainfall of February and March.A significant correlation was also found between the grazing time of Artemisia diffusa in March, and the rainfall of January, total rainfall of autumn and December, and total rainfall of autumn, January, and February. This research was aimed to determine the seasonal and annual forage preference value with regard to the rainfall fluctuations in Sarakhs rangelands.
peyman hasibi; zeynab noroznejad
Volume 23, Issue 4 , March 2017, , Pages 864-875
Abstract
This research was aimed to study the forage quality of narrow-leaf and broadleaf species, compatible with the warm steppe climate of Khuzestan. The study was conducted during 2011-2012 using a one-way analysis of variance and three replications. In this experiment, 14 common native species in the region ...
Read More
This research was aimed to study the forage quality of narrow-leaf and broadleaf species, compatible with the warm steppe climate of Khuzestan. The study was conducted during 2011-2012 using a one-way analysis of variance and three replications. In this experiment, 14 common native species in the region from five botanical families were selected. The sampling was done at late flowering stage. Traits such as total dry matter, organic matter, ash, protein, crude fiber, crude energy, soluble carbohydrates and starch were investigated. According to the results, the highest percentage of protein and fiber was measured for the plants from the Leguminous and Poaceae families, respectively. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the protein and fiber percentage (r=-0.565**). Melilotus officinalis, from the leguminous family, had the highest crude energy with no significant difference with some species from the Poaceae family. The highest content of ash and lowest crude energy were recorded for Malva parviflora. Avena ludoviciana and Hordeum murinum from the Poaceae family had the highest and lowest content of soluble carbohydrates, respectively. Generally, planting of the species compatible with the climate of the region could be used both for forage production in rangelands and vegetation restoration in degraded rangelands.
Maedeh Nasri; Mehdi Ghorbani; mohammad jafari; Hosein Azarnivand; Hamed Rafiee
Volume 23, Issue 2 , September 2016, , Pages 403-396
Abstract
One of the major factors driving ecosystem destruction and various environmental problems such as carbon cycle distortion, which in its turn leads to higher greenhouse gas emission, is ignoring and not specifying different ecosystem services and functions such as carbon sequestration in environmental ...
Read More
One of the major factors driving ecosystem destruction and various environmental problems such as carbon cycle distortion, which in its turn leads to higher greenhouse gas emission, is ignoring and not specifying different ecosystem services and functions such as carbon sequestration in environmental planning and investments and the consequent damages of these neglected functions. Thus, quantification of these functions and services and attempting to determine their economic values financially is more important than ever. The present study seeks to estimate the amount of stocked carbon and produced oxygen by biomass of Mallard County rangelands. Economic valuation of stocked carbon function was carried out by carbon tax method and economic valuation of produced oxygen was done through replacement cost method. It was found out that total carbon storage in the pilot area was 2.43 tons/hectare and the amount of supplied oxygen was 2 tons/ hectare. Overall, carbon stock function was estimated to be equal to 255658701 billion$ and oxygen supply was estimated to be 13290338850 billion $.
Mehdi Moameri; Mohamad Fayaz; Masoume Abbasi Khalaki; Ziaaddin Almasi
Volume 23, Issue 1 , June 2016, , Pages 1-13
Abstract
This study was conducted in northern Khorasan province to investigate the indigenous knowledge of herders about livestock grazing management. In this study, the statistical population included herders and elderly people who use the rangelands traditionally. In each tribe or village, three people were ...
Read More
This study was conducted in northern Khorasan province to investigate the indigenous knowledge of herders about livestock grazing management. In this study, the statistical population included herders and elderly people who use the rangelands traditionally. In each tribe or village, three people were selected to do interview and complete the questionnaires. Data collection was conducted using interviews and questionnaires, as well as observing the herders' activities in the field. The Likert scale was used for scoring and quantitative evaluation of questions for the study species. Our results confirmed the wide knowledge of herders used in different aspects of livestock grazing management including livestock distribution and uniform utilization of rangeland, night grazing, selecting the resting and grazing place for livestock, segmentation of rangeland with traditional methods, and ensuring the safety of drinking water for livestock. On the other hand, results showed that, actually, herders paid little attention to observing livestock grazing capacity and preventing or reducing selective grazing.
Mohamad Farahnak Ghazani; Mohamadreza Najibzadeh; Mohamadali Ghahramani
Volume 22, Issue 3 , November 2015, , Pages 537-545
Abstract
In recent years the utilization rate of renewable resources especially the pressure of livestock grazing has increased. Uncontrolled livestock grazing has caused reduction of quantity and quality of forage, therefore, studying the effects of exclosure on vegetation changes is very important. In this ...
Read More
In recent years the utilization rate of renewable resources especially the pressure of livestock grazing has increased. Uncontrolled livestock grazing has caused reduction of quantity and quality of forage, therefore, studying the effects of exclosure on vegetation changes is very important. In this research, the effects of exclosure on vegetation changes of Sahand rangelands were studied during 2001 to 2006. The vegetation changes were investigated inside and outside the exclosure area, using fixed transects. The results showed that total canopy cover and canopy cover of perennial grasses including Agropyrum trichophorum، Bromus tomentellus، Dactylis glomerata and Festuca ovina increased significantly inside the exclosure area (P<0.01). In terms of palatability, class I species increasedsignificantly (P<0.01). Cirsium haussknechtii, one of the important invasive species of the area, decreased significantly inside the exclosure area. There was no significant changes on total canopy cover of outside of the exclosure area. Canopy cover of perennial grasses and perennial forbs decreased (P<0.05) and shrubs canopy cover increased (P<0.01). Class I species decreased and class III species increased in outside of the exclosure area but it was not statistically significant. Canopy cover of Cirsium haussknechtii increased in outside of the exclosure area (P<0.05). No significant changes of soil organic matter were detected inside and outside of the exclosure area during six years.
Fahimeh Rafiee; Mohammad Jangjou; Hamid Ejehadi
Volume 22, Issue 1 , June 2015, , Pages 73-85
Abstract
Plant traits can be used to study the mechanism of vegetation responses to the environmental disturbances. This study was aimed to study the changes in plant traits, in six-and two- year periods after wildfires in a semiarid rangeland. Three adjacent sites (control, burnt at 2004, burnt at 2008) were ...
Read More
Plant traits can be used to study the mechanism of vegetation responses to the environmental disturbances. This study was aimed to study the changes in plant traits, in six-and two- year periods after wildfires in a semiarid rangeland. Three adjacent sites (control, burnt at 2004, burnt at 2008) were selected in Jowzak rangelands, Northern Khorasan, Iran. Plant sampling was conducted at spring and summer 2010. Floristic list was recorded in each site; also, 58 morphological, phonological and reproductive plant traits were measured. Results indicated four different responses by plant traits to the chronological wildfires. Type1 no response; 37 traits were not affected by the wildfires. Type2 adapted traits: annual plants were increased by times after burning. Type3 tolerant traits: plant with spins, hairs, prostrate canopy, rosette and elongated leaves, ramified stems, scattering by seeds, reproduction by seeds and/or rhizomes, and leaf phenology more than three months initially increased but finally reduced. Type 4 sensitive traits; perennial grasses, shrubs, scopus canopy, non-spiny, succulent leaves and stem elongated leaves gradually decreased with times after burning. In conclusion, plant traits have important roles in determining the responses of plant species to the environmental disturbances; hence, they can affect the secondary succession after the wildfire in rangelands.
Morteza Hoseini |Tavasol; Hosein arzani; manoocher farajzadeh asl; Mohamad Jafari; sasan babayee kafaki; asghar kohandel
Volume 22, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 615-624
Abstract
This research was aimed to monitor the vegetation changes in the rangelands of Alborz province during 2000-2011 using satellite images as well as determining its relationship with climatic factors including average rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity. According to the results, the highest NDVI ...
Read More
This research was aimed to monitor the vegetation changes in the rangelands of Alborz province during 2000-2011 using satellite images as well as determining its relationship with climatic factors including average rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity. According to the results, the highest NDVI was recorded for Taleghan followed by Savojbolagh and Karaj, and then Eshtehard and Karaj with less significant difference. Based on the obtained model, the rainfall of November, December, January, February, and average annual rainfall had the most positive impact on the growth of range plants, while other factors including temperature and relative humidity had no significant relationship with the vegetation of the study period. According to the trend of vegetation changes, the amount of vegetation has been reduced after year 2000 and it has increased again in 2011.
Somayeh Dehdari; Hosein Arzani; Hamid Movahed; Mohammad ali Zare Chahouki; Hosein shabanali Fomi
Volume 21, Issue 3 , December 2014, , Pages 383-393
Abstract
This research was aimed to prioritize the factors affecting rangeland utilization as well as comparing 60 rangelands with/without Range Management Plan (RMP) using application of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Initially, the criteria for rangeland utilization were prioritized using Delphi ...
Read More
This research was aimed to prioritize the factors affecting rangeland utilization as well as comparing 60 rangelands with/without Range Management Plan (RMP) using application of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Initially, the criteria for rangeland utilization were prioritized using Delphi method and Expert Choice software. Then, 60 rangelands (with/without RMP) were compared to each other. Document and field research methods were used to collect the data. For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and in the field studies, direct sampling was conducted to calculate the rangeland production, condition, and trend while completing the questionnaires in the statistical population. According to the results, significant differences were found for rangeland production, trend, condition, and early grazing in comparison of rangelands with RMP and those with no RMP (p<0.01). In addition, significant differences were found for the number of available livestock to the allowed number of livestock, encroachment into the rangeland, contention and conflict among rangeland beneficiaries and the beneficiaries' attitude towards range management plan (RMP) in the studied rangelands (p<0.05).
Mohammad Matinizadeh; Mahmoud Gudarzi
Volume 20, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 213-225
Abstract
Fire can severely affect vegetation and soil and prevent different cycles of ecosystems. Enzymes quantities are sensitive indices for soil quality, and the changes in their activity can affect the ability of ecosystem and alter nutrient uptake by plants. This investigation was carried out in Kordan rangeland ...
Read More
Fire can severely affect vegetation and soil and prevent different cycles of ecosystems. Enzymes quantities are sensitive indices for soil quality, and the changes in their activity can affect the ability of ecosystem and alter nutrient uptake by plants. This investigation was carried out in Kordan rangeland in spring and autumn for two years. Soil was sampled from 0-20 cm depth. Three enzymes including acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase were assessed by reaction with substrate. Our results showed that the activities of all studied enzymes were significantly higher in soils in September at both areas. However, this difference was not high for alkaline phosphatase. Two years after fire, the activity of all studied enzymes was higher at control site. The reasons for this decrease may be due to the destruction of enzymatic system and increasing inorganic phosphate because of fire. Three years after fire, the activity of enzymes increased and for alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase was more than control site. These enzymes are considered as biological indices for soil microorganisms therefore, it can be expected that its increase indicates increasing microbial biomass in fire area.
Majid Mohammad-Esmaeili; Reza Kavandi; Vahid Karimian; Hossein Sabouri
Volume 19, Issue 4 , March 2013, , Pages 703-713
Abstract
Grazing and harvesting are two major ways of utilizing natural and artificial grasslands. Current research was aimed at studying the effects of shoot cutting frequency on total phytomass, above-ground phytomass, underground phytomass, the condition of tillering, and the tolerance of four halophytes (P. ...
Read More
Grazing and harvesting are two major ways of utilizing natural and artificial grasslands. Current research was aimed at studying the effects of shoot cutting frequency on total phytomass, above-ground phytomass, underground phytomass, the condition of tillering, and the tolerance of four halophytes (P. distans, A. littoralis, A. lagopoides and J. articulates) against cutting. This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 7 replications. Four mentioned species and four different cuttings were considered as treatments. Seedlings of four species in growth stage were collected from grasslands of Inchebroon, located in north of Agh-ghala, and were cultivated in the pots. During the growth period, aerial parts of the species were cut at 6 cm above the soil surface of pots in four cutting treatments including once every week, once every two weeks, once every four weeks, and control treatment. Results indicated that total phytomass, above- ground phytomass and underground phytomass of A. littoralis, A. lagopoides and J. maritimus reduced as a response to the stress of cutting compared with control treatment. Consequently, these three species cannot retrieve total phytomass in comparison with control treatment. Total phytomass of P. distans remained stable in all treatments; therefore this species is able to retrieve phytomass loss completely. Repeating cutting decreased the number of shoots in four species. According to the results, in one-year experimental conditions, P. distans was identified as a high-tolerant species against cutting while A. littoralis, A. lagopoides and J. maritimus showed a medium tolerance.
Saeid Rashvand; Hoshmand Safari; Parvaneh Ashouri sanjabi
Volume 19, Issue 2 , September 2012, , Pages 355-369
Abstract
In this study, sustainability of forage production in some rangeland species of mountainous rangelands of Alamut Qazvin was investigated. These mountainous rangelands are located in the highlands of North-Eastern city of Qazvin as a part of south basin of central Alborz Mountains. The rainfall of these ...
Read More
In this study, sustainability of forage production in some rangeland species of mountainous rangelands of Alamut Qazvin was investigated. These mountainous rangelands are located in the highlands of North-Eastern city of Qazvin as a part of south basin of central Alborz Mountains. The rainfall of these natural environments is 400 mm per year. Long dry season is considered as the main characteristics of the natural environments of these ecosystems. Production per hectare of 24 species was studied during four years. Combined analysis of variance for dry forage production (kg/ha) showed significant differences (p>0.01) among species and the years. According to the results of mean comparisons (Duncan’s multiple test) and cluster analysis (Ward method), Eryngium billardieri, Cousinia esfandiari, Artemisia aucheri, Verbascum speciosum, Agropyron intermedium, and Cirsium haussknechtii had higher forage production. Interaction effect of species * year was significant at 1% probability level and sustainability parameters were calculated based upon average forage production. Parameters of CVi, S2di and R2 had similar trends in introduction of sustainable species and most of them showed low forage production based upon these parameters. Parameters of Bi, W2i and S2i also showed the same trend in expression of sustainability and on the basis of these three parameters, an average forage production was recorded for most of sustainable species. In general, Cousinia esfandiari and Artemisia aucheri showed appropriate production sustainability based upon most sustainability parameters. Agropyron intermedium and Cirsium haussknechtii were not sensitive to adverse conditions while Verbascum speciosum and Eryngium billardieri were sensitive to adverse conditions. Therefore, Agropyron intermedium and Artemisia aucheri could be introduced for range improvement programs.
Ali Ehsani; Hosein Arzani; Mahdi Farahpur; Hassan Ahmadi; Mohammad Jafari; Mortezah Akbarzadeh
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 1-16
Abstract
In this study, potential and actual evapotranspiration were estimated by Penman- Matis using climatic data of Saveh Station, and plant and soil characteristics were estimated by Cropwat 8.0 software. Our results showed that potential evapotranspiration in growing season was 6.16 times greater than the ...
Read More
In this study, potential and actual evapotranspiration were estimated by Penman- Matis using climatic data of Saveh Station, and plant and soil characteristics were estimated by Cropwat 8.0 software. Our results showed that potential evapotranspiration in growing season was 6.16 times greater than the average of actual evapotranspiration. Actual evapotranspiration was 1.18 times greater than the average precipitation of growing season. It means that plant species have used the stored moisture for actual evapotranspiration. According to the estimation of actual evapotranspiration in a ten-year period, a model was provided for forage production as Ya= 74.30+ 2.698 (ETact). Accordingly, average forage production of the studied site was estimated as 257 kg/hec. It could be said that actual evapotranspiration as an index for climate yield is one of the fundamental factors in improving water use efficiency. Application of the mentioned climate index in different estimation models of long term forage production could be considered in order to determine the rangeland grazing capacity and developing rangeland insurance as a replacement for the usual methods of production.
Hosein Babazadeh; Elnaz Norouzi Aghdam; Hosein Aghighi; S.Amir Shamsnia; Davud Khodadadi dehkordi
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 120-132
Abstract
Soil surface moisture and it's spatial and temporal variability is one of the most importantenvironmental variables. Due to the difficult, costly and time consuming measurements of field studies, this parameter has not been used widely in climate models. Nowadays, with the increasing development ...
Read More
Soil surface moisture and it's spatial and temporal variability is one of the most importantenvironmental variables. Due to the difficult, costly and time consuming measurements of field studies, this parameter has not been used widely in climate models. Nowadays, with the increasing development of science, adoption of new technologies for proper management of limited water and soil resources is necessary. The objective of this research was to analyze the application of MODIS images for estimating the soil surface moisture in arid and semiarid rangelands with ephemeral vegetation cover using TVX. Field data measurments of soil surface moisture and some daily meteorological parameters in three station of Mashhad, Golmakan and Neyshaboor of Khorasan province were used for more accurate estimate of soil surface moisture from 2003 to 2005. NDVI, Brightness Temperature of the bands (BT31, BT32) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) were derived from MODIS images and TVX slope was calculated. Different regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between TVX slope and soil surface moisture. According to the results, soil surface moisture in arid and semiarid climate showed a good correlation with TVX slope.
Ebrahim Farahani; Amrali Shahmoradi; Samira Adibi
Volume 19, Issue 1 , June 2012, , Pages 149-158
Abstract
Stipa hohenackeriana Trin & Rupr is a perennial plant of the gramineae family. This species covers a wide range of habitats in Tehran province. The habitat characteristics of this species including topography, climate, vegetation type, soil, associated species, plant phenology and root system were ...
Read More
Stipa hohenackeriana Trin & Rupr is a perennial plant of the gramineae family. This species covers a wide range of habitats in Tehran province. The habitat characteristics of this species including topography, climate, vegetation type, soil, associated species, plant phenology and root system were investigated. The results showed that these habitats were located in altitudes of 880 to 2400 m above sea level. The average rainfall in the habitats was 150 mm to 378 mm. The annual average temperature, annual minimum temperature and annual maximum temperature were 15.5 to 24.4°C, -2 to 12°C and 32 to 42 °C, respectively. This plant was observed in a range of shallow to very deep soils at slopes of more than 0.5 percent. Soil acidity measurement showed levels of 8.1 to of 8.71 and the electrical conductivity of the soil were 0.19 to 0.98 ds/m. In most habitats, this species has emerged as the dominant. Average canopy cover, density and frequency were 8.43%, 9050 plants / ha and 90%, respectively. The ratio of root to shoot weight was 0.226. This plant has a highly branched root system. Phenology of the species in different habitats showed that the growth started from mid-March to mid April. Production stage of pods was in late May. Flowering was from late May to late June. Seed production occured from late May to late July. According to regional climatic conditions, the seeds were matured .From early September to early October the plant was in summer dormancy. This study showed that chemical compounds of crude protein and crude fat were maximum at early growth stage but gradually decreased in the coming stages.
Mohammad Bakhshi Tiregani; Hamid reza Moradi; Hamid reza Sadeghi
Volume 18, Issue 2 , September 2011, , Pages 269-279
Abstract
Land use utilization based on its capability and susceptibility is necessary for proper management of different regions. In this regard, the conversion of rangeland areas to dry farming and its consequent effects on soil erosion is a crucial problem that has to be carefully investigated. The present ...
Read More
Land use utilization based on its capability and susceptibility is necessary for proper management of different regions. In this regard, the conversion of rangeland areas to dry farming and its consequent effects on soil erosion is a crucial problem that has to be carefully investigated. The present study therefore attempted to study the runoff and sediment rates in experimental plots located in two land uses of rangeland and dry farming lands with a slope of 5 percent by using rainfall simulator. The research was conducted during summer 2009 in Tiregan watershed located in Daregaz Township, Khorasan Razavi Province. The experiments were taken place through simulation of rainfall with intensity of 1.7 mm min-1 in two upper and lower positions, in eastern and western aspects of the slope in both the land uses. Afterwards, the runoff threshold was determined and the runoff samples were collected in small containers. The results of the study showed that the average runoff threshold in rangeland was 3.36 minutes earlier than that occurred in dry farming land. The runoff volume in rangeland plots was also 2.3 times more than dry farming land did. The sediment yield in the upper position in eastern aspect of rangeland treatment was lesser than dry farming treatment did. The difference was not significant in other treatments. The turbidity rates were also significantly more in dry farming lands compare to what recorded for rangeland areas
Pezhman Roudgarmi; Naser Anssari; Ebrahim Farahani
Volume 18, Issue 1 , May 2011, , Pages 151-171
Abstract
Current events indicate that the country's Natural Resources are being destroyed and with the present utilization approaches, this trend would be continued. A research study was conducted to determine effective socio-economic factors on degradation of Natural Resources in Tehran province. In the current ...
Read More
Current events indicate that the country's Natural Resources are being destroyed and with the present utilization approaches, this trend would be continued. A research study was conducted to determine effective socio-economic factors on degradation of Natural Resources in Tehran province. In the current study, an index was applied to determine the degradation considering forage and forest production. To achieve this goal, data were collected from experts and users of Natural Resources through questionnaires and interviews and relationship between the data and the degradation index was determined. The research was conducted based on the study of documents, archival data, and field works. Range condition of the province was compared during 1955 – 2001 in view of area change. Our results showed that decrement of forage production was higher in mountainous rangelands than that in plain areas (steppe and semi-steppe). In plain areas, land use change of Natural Resources to constructed and agricultural area was identified as the most important destructive factor. Staff and facilities deficiency for Natural Resources control was also known as the most important organizational factor. Based on statistical analysis, there was a strong inverse relationship between the size of posturs’ agricultural areas and the rate of rangeland destruction. According to the results, implementation of land use planning and management is important for Tehran province and land use change of natural resources was identified as an important destructive factor.
Ghasemali Dianatitilaki; Manijeh Tavan; Ali Hosseini; Mansur Mesdaghi
Volume 17, Issue 2 , September 2010, , Pages 180-190
Abstract
Determination of forage quality is one of the fundamental factors for sound management of rangelands. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of rangelands causes increasing forage quality. In this study, forage quality of Eruca sativa in three years (2004, 2005 and 2006) were measured in flat and northern ...
Read More
Determination of forage quality is one of the fundamental factors for sound management of rangelands. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of rangelands causes increasing forage quality. In this study, forage quality of Eruca sativa in three years (2004, 2005 and 2006) were measured in flat and northern sloppy rangelands in Maravehtapeh.In this study, 0, 50 and 100 kg N/ha and 0 and 25 kg P/ha fertilizer rates were applied. Forage quality index such as crude energy, crude protein, crude fiber, crude nitrogen and ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) were measured in this study. Results showed that, nitrogen fertilizer increased the crude nitrogen, crude protein and crude energy and decreased the crude fiber and ADF. Phosphorus fertilization had few effects on forage quality. Nitrogen fertilization with 100 kg/ha increased forage quality. Forage quality rates increased in 2006 owing to optimum weather condition in this year. Forage quality rate is same in each flat and northern sloppy rangeland was the same. Interaction effects between two fertilizers in northern sloppy rangeland was significant.
Hossein Arzani; Javad Torkan; Ali Nikkhah; Hossein Azarnivand; Mahdi Ghorbani
Volume 17, Issue 2 , September 2010, , Pages 191-204
Abstract
Concepts of animal equivalent has been developed to express different kind and classes of grazing animal in common form. This concept is not fixed and usually determine on the basis of live weight and metabolic weight. More than 27 sheep breeds with different body size have been adapted and grazing on ...
Read More
Concepts of animal equivalent has been developed to express different kind and classes of grazing animal in common form. This concept is not fixed and usually determine on the basis of live weight and metabolic weight. More than 27 sheep breeds with different body size have been adapted and grazing on rangelands in different climatic zones of Iran. So it is not correct to use the same animal unit weight for all. Therefore it is necessary to determine animal unit for each breed. In this study, two herds of West Azarbayjan Makoii breed were selected, 3 and 4 years old ewes, 3 and 4 years old rams and 3 and 6 months lambs were weighted in two stages in each herd. For determination of dry matter requirement forage quality was taken into consideration. Daily requirement of animal for maintenance condition was calculated using NRC (1985) tables and MAFF (1984) equation. On the basis of results; animal unit was obtained 45.36 ± 2.75 kg which is near to animal unit weight calculated for whole country based on weight of all breeds. Daily requirement of animal was obtained 9.50 Mj metabolisable energy equal to 1.77 kg dry matter of available forage
Masumeh Hosseini nasab; Hossein Barani; Ghasem ali Dianati Tilaki
Volume 17, Issue 1 , September 2010, , Pages 166-179
Abstract
Managing ranch units has been one of the important issues during the last decades in studying the rangeland of Iran. The most noticeable system for range management based on grazing licene is one of the three types of council، collective and private exploitation. One of the implementing methods concerning ...
Read More
Managing ranch units has been one of the important issues during the last decades in studying the rangeland of Iran. The most noticeable system for range management based on grazing licene is one of the three types of council، collective and private exploitation. One of the implementing methods concerning the balance between livestock and range and reduction of range degradation is the introduction of reasonable range utility units. The present study seeks to compare different ownership types with considering independent variables of rangeland condition، exploitation and the capability degree of collective and private ownership so as to introduce the most appropriate method for user's inclination and better quality. According to goals and assumptions، 105 questionnaires were completed through direct interview with exploiters (only those who owned grazing licene). The state of the rangeland in 41sample ranges was calculated through 4 factories. The results showed the condition of private rangeland has been obtained to be better than the collective rangelands ،however، no meaningful difference in rangelands management methods in this type of possession. Because of improper exploitation methods in this county، council exploitation is not suggested. Despite its probable weaknesses, the collective possession، because of its high partnership spirit among collective beneficiaries، by some conservatism can be more appropriate than other types and its deficiencies can be reduced by proper management and create the motivation of conserving natural resources by special programs among people. Regarding that the majority of ranges are commonly used, establishing cooperatives and giving the right of utilization to cooperatives is of priority based on the peoples' opinions.
Farhad Aghajanloo; Mortezah Akbarzadeh; Ahmad Musavi
Volume 16, Issue 4 , January 2010, , Pages 493-504
Abstract
As the documents and reports reveal, the condition of rangelands of Iran is poor or very poor in most areas; therefore, the percentage of invader species is dominant. The study of vegetation changes under strict exclosure and grazing is critical to understand the extreme problems of rangelands of Iran. ...
Read More
As the documents and reports reveal, the condition of rangelands of Iran is poor or very poor in most areas; therefore, the percentage of invader species is dominant. The study of vegetation changes under strict exclosure and grazing is critical to understand the extreme problems of rangelands of Iran. The effect of exclosure and grazing was studied on the direction of vegetation changes of rangelands at Arquin site of Zanjan province at 1450 meter above sea level from 2001 to 2006. Three fixed pairs of transects with a total number of 60 plots were established inside of exclosure area and outside too. The annual forage production was measured by randomized plots. Comparison of the data in first and last years of the study were done by T student sample test. The results showed that the total canopy cover of Arquin exclosure is increased inside in comparison with outside, and it is statistically significant (P<0.01). The response of growing forms to exclosure and grazing was different, and the canopy cover of Astragalus achtalensis (P<0.05) and Stipa barbata (P<0.01) increased significantly in 2006 in comparison with 2002. The vegetation composition changed also in the study area. The relative increase of increasers in last year, was by 160 percent to that of the first year inside the exclosure; whereas the changes were not apparent. The rate of plant production was specially depended on precipitation fluctuation and the amount of organic mater and nitrogen content at 0 to 15 cm of soil depth inside and outside of the exclosure and that of 15-30 cm outsid has been increased significantly.
Hosein Arzani; Khosro Mirakhorlou; Zeinalabedin Hosseini
Volume 16, Issue 2 , December 2009, , Pages 150-160
Abstract
Range management needs to accessing data by fast and suitable methods for planning. Satellite data and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used for planning and integrating field and remotely sensed data. Landuse map is one of the most important information in range management plans. This requires ...
Read More
Range management needs to accessing data by fast and suitable methods for planning. Satellite data and geographic information systems (GIS) can be used for planning and integrating field and remotely sensed data. Landuse map is one of the most important information in range management plans. This requires overlaying, retrieve and analysis detailed information about the rangelands in GIS. Land use map provided using Landsat7 ETM data (15 Apr. 2004) for the study area (middle catchment’s of Taleghan) in the Tehran province. Based on histogram of bands and statistical analysis, bands 4, 3, 2 were selected for color composite in unsupervised classification method. We identified 4 classes land use type of study area in the fieldwork. Ground data was collected using systematic with random start point, from 86 plots (250*250m), using unsupervised map as a primary map. Overall, with combining the ETM data and the field data using supervised classification method, boundary of the landuse types were put in four classes (Rangeland, Farm land, Dry farming and Bare soil). The classification accuracy assessment showed that the overall accuracy 70.64 percent and accuracy rates of the rangeland, farm land, rain fed carping and bare soil were 81, 54, 61, and 81 percent, respectively. So it is possible to use Landsat 7 ETM+ data for landuse mapping which is essential in range management and range suitability classification.
Noor ... Abdi; Hasan Madah arefi; Ghava din Zahedi amiri
Volume 15, Issue 2 , January 2008, , Pages 269-282
Abstract
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have substantially increased in recent decades. Land management practices, however, offer opportunities to mitigate the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration through sequestration of this additional carbon via storage in plant biomass and soil organic matter ...
Read More
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have substantially increased in recent decades. Land management practices, however, offer opportunities to mitigate the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration through sequestration of this additional carbon via storage in plant biomass and soil organic matter in a process termed terrestrial C sequestration. Rangelands ecosystems have a large potential to sequester C because they occupy about half of the world's land area. In Iran, the Astragalus rangelands with about 17 million hectare area have 10% of the country land area and have the important role in carbon sequestration. In order to investigation the role and potential of Astragalus rangelands in carbon sequestration, a study was carried out at a key area of Astragalus verus-Bromus tomentellus vegetation type in Malmir rangeland site, Shazand township of Markazi province and the content of aboveground and underground biomass carbon, litter carbon and soil organic carbon was determined. The results showed that the total carbon sequestration per hectare was 32.95 ton and 87.43 % of total carbon sequestration was soil organic carbon. The results of biomass carbon distribution showed that the carbon content in aerial biomass was higher than underground biomass. Correlation and stepwise regression analysis revealed that the content of carbon sequestration was positively related to Astragalus height and volume, aerial and underground biomass, total biomass, litter amount and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. It was concluded that the Astragalus rangelands have a large potential to sequester carbon and the soil is most important sink for organic carbon storage in this rangelands
Mohammad Ggeitury; Naser Ansari; Abbas ali Sanadgool; Mosayeb Heshmati
Volume 13, Issue 4 , February 2007, , Pages 314-323
Abstract
There are various factors that cause cantinous changes in the quality and quantity of natural resources which result in poor ranching, destructive flood, migration of villagers and nomads to large nearby cities and poverty of rural people. Identification of factors which are ...
Read More
There are various factors that cause cantinous changes in the quality and quantity of natural resources which result in poor ranching, destructive flood, migration of villagers and nomads to large nearby cities and poverty of rural people. Identification of factors which are destructive to rangelands in Kermanshah Province was carried out to prevent destruction, to achieve optimal management and recognize priorities in planning. First of all, information and statistics concerning vegetation map and base map ( from past to present ) were obtained and analyzed. On the basis of Pabo Map and GIS, four different climatic regions of dry forest, warm semie-steppe. Cold semi-steppe and high mountainous were distinguished for Kermanshah Province. According to the survey conducted to explore the ecology of Kermanshah, index regions were identified using Pabo climatic Map. In any region, the vegetation of the range along with index of destruction of vegetation was studied. next step, questionnaires related to destructive factors to vegetation were filled by both experts and rural families and nomads and, then were assessed using the statistic method of regression and finally the frequency of different destructive factors to rangelands was calculated. The results indicated that in Kermanshah rangelands, changing the land use, the increase in the number of animals, and early grazing are the common factors of destruction respectively
Hosein Gharadaghi; Hosein Arzani; Hasan Ebrahimzadeh; Mohammad reza Ghnnadha; Naser Baghestani
Volume 14, Issue 1 , January 2007, , Pages 19-32
Abstract
Rangelands are one of the important natural ecosystems in our country that were deteriorated during recent decades because of many causes especially earlier and intensive grazing. Grazing management need to determine beginning of grazing season and intensity in rangelands. It is very important to know ...
Read More
Rangelands are one of the important natural ecosystems in our country that were deteriorated during recent decades because of many causes especially earlier and intensive grazing. Grazing management need to determine beginning of grazing season and intensity in rangelands. It is very important to know much about physiological and phenological status of rangeland species. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) and their changes during seasonal growth is one of the important physiological parameter in perennial plants. Also these reserves are primary source of energy in respiration, growth and survival of perennial plants during their quiescence and growth season and regrowth after grazing or cutting. In this research seasonal changes of TNC reserves in three perennial and desirable grass species(Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina, Dactylis glomerata) were studied in Polor summer rangelands(altitude, 2600m; annual precipitation, 535mm; with cold mountain climatic) at the north of Tehran province. Samples were collected in ten stages of plants phenology stages with three replications from above and underground matter (canopy and roots). Samples were oven dried at 70◦C during 48 houres. TNC concentration were measured by phenol-solpheric method (mg per gr dry matter). Data of all attributes were analyzed in the frame of rondomized compeletly block design by using Minitab software, and ANOVA one and two ways. Seasonal changes of TNC reserves in any of studied species and also their root and canopy were shown in annual curves. The results indicated that all species have distinct seasonal changes and they had the lowest TNC reserves at early spring and end of the seasonal growth and then increased. The results showed significant differences in TNC reserves between phenology Stages in root and canopy during seasonal growth (P= 0.05 & 0.01) and all species had higher amount of TNC reserves in root than canopy (P=0.01). The rate of TNC restoration was different between studied species. These differences were related to phenology and seasonal growth along. So in this area Dactylis glomerata is more sensitive to grazing and Bromus tomentellus conversely is more resistant to grazing. At the end we concluded that critical period for all species in relate of their TNC reserves is from starting growth in early spring till early May and at the end of seasonal growth, mid August. Beginning of grazing season from late may until early August is recommended for this area.
Hosein Arzani; Khadijeh Mahdavi; Ali Nikkhah; Hosein Azarnivand
Volume 13, Issue 3 , February 2006, , Pages 236-247
Abstract
Information on animal daily requirement and forage quality for determination of rangeland grazing capacity is an essential task for range management. Animal requirement depends on factors such as weight, age, physiological condition as well as forage quality. There are more than 27 sheep breeds with ...
Read More
Information on animal daily requirement and forage quality for determination of rangeland grazing capacity is an essential task for range management. Animal requirement depends on factors such as weight, age, physiological condition as well as forage quality. There are more than 27 sheep breeds with different body size in Iran. So it is not possible to represent a unique weight for animal unit in overall country. To overcome the problem live weight and daily requirement of each breed should be determined. In the present study, two herds of Dalagh sheep breed were selected with fifty head sheep in each including : fifteen head three years old ewes, fifteen head four years old ewes, ten head three months old lambs, ten head six months old lambs, five head three years old rams, five head four years old rams. They were weighed at three times (when grazing pasture, early and late winter in lowland). Average live weight of three and four year old ewes was considered as 51.75 kg. Equivalent animal unit for ram, three and six month lambs was obtained 1.37, 0.57 and 0.85 respectively. Animal requirement was determined based on forage quality in two phonological stages of vegetative and maturity. So, animal requirements were determined 1.2 and 1.53 kg dry matter per day at the times of vegetative and maturity stages respectively. Because of environmental condition and distance of watering point and sheep yard, metabolizable energy requirement per day was determined about 9/8 MJ. The SAS statistical software was used for data analysis according to factorial experiment in the form of completely randomized design. The result of analysis of variance showed herds, sex, age and location and also their interaction had significant effects on animal live weight (p<0.01).