Abdolhamid Hajebi; Mohammad Amin Soltanipoor; Mohammad Fayaz; Ehsan Zandiesfahan
Volume 29, Issue 4 , January 2023, , Pages 485-497
Abstract
One of the important factors in determining the grazing capacity of rangelands is determining the preferred value of rangeland plants according to the type of livestock using the rangeland and its changes during the grazing season. In this study, the preference value of rangeland species in Zaminsang ...
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One of the important factors in determining the grazing capacity of rangelands is determining the preferred value of rangeland plants according to the type of livestock using the rangeland and its changes during the grazing season. In this study, the preference value of rangeland species in Zaminsang rangeland in Hormozgan province in the months of grazing season (January to May) and different years (2007-2010) was investigated. To determine the preference value, the method of utilization percentage of plant species and determination of preference index were used. The results were analyzed in a split plot statistical design in time in a randomized complete block design in SAS software and the statistical mean of the studied trait was compared with LSD test. The results showed that the most preferred livestock is primarily Aeluropus lagopoides and Atriplex leucoclada and Alhagi graecorum. The lowest percentage of exploitation was from Halocnemum strobilaceum and Desmostachya bipinnata. Based on the preference value index classification, Aeluropus lagopoides and Atriplex leucoclada species are relatively palatable species (relative preference), Alhagi graecorum and Halocnemum strobilaceum species are moderately palatable species (moderate preference) and Desmostachya bipinnata was one of the almost non-palatable (relative avoidance) species.
Mahdokht Allahmoradi; Hosein Arzani; Ali Tavili
Volume 27, Issue 1 , April 2020, , Pages 13-23
Abstract
Determining grazing capacity of rangelands is one of the main factors in range management so that, regarding this important factor, is one the main causes of range degradation in Iran. Middle Taleghan rangelands have utilized for many years thus, there aren’t preserved from degradation. The aim ...
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Determining grazing capacity of rangelands is one of the main factors in range management so that, regarding this important factor, is one the main causes of range degradation in Iran. Middle Taleghan rangelands have utilized for many years thus, there aren’t preserved from degradation. The aim of this research was to determine the short term grazing capacity of these rangelands to show factors affecting grazing capacity and both preserve and improve the condition of them. During the field work was done in June 2013, sampling performed by random- systematic method using four 150 meters transects and 10 plots along each one randomly and current forage production was harvested in separation of each species form all three palatability classes. Then proper use factor was determined. Finally, short term grazing capacity was calculated through the computing daily requirement energy method and attending to forage quality for each type. The results are shown that grazing capacity range from 0 to 1534 Fashandi race adult sheeps for grazing period. Least required area for a sheep grazing range from 1.92 to 8.63 hectares for grazing period. Grazing capacity for all of studied rangelands is equal to 6802 Fashandi race adult sheep by 60.7 kg weight and least required area for a sheep grazing is 3.76 hectares in average, Whereas the actual grazing capacity in these rangeland is mostly 159 Fashandi race adult sheeps per hectar for good condition ranges ang 19 for poor condition ranges. So, For calculating grazing capacity it is also necessary to consider palatability, proper use factor, forage quality, animal weight and its daily requirement and its movment rate in addition to rangeland yield. Thus, current research is emphasizing on to pay attention toward all effective factors in evaluating rangeland grazing capacity.
Ali Asghar Naghipour Borj; Sina Nabizadeh; Javad Pourezaie
Volume 26, Issue 3 , September 2019, , Pages 587-598
Abstract
Fire is one of the most important influencing factors on the structure and composition of plant communities, especially in arid and semiarid rangelands. This study was designed to investigate the role of fire on vegetation dynamics in semi-steppe rangelands of Central Zagros. ...
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Fire is one of the most important influencing factors on the structure and composition of plant communities, especially in arid and semiarid rangelands. This study was designed to investigate the role of fire on vegetation dynamics in semi-steppe rangelands of Central Zagros. A stratified random sampling was used to collect the data from six sites with one and five years after the last fire. At each rangeland site, 20 plots with four square area meters, 10 plots in the burned sites and 10 plots in the control sites, were used. The cover percentage of each species was accurately recorded. A one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test were used to compare each of the variables. The results showed that the fire significantly reduced the vegetation cover and litter, and increased the bare soil surface in the region. The composition of the fire region was close to the control area after a period of five years. The fire caused a decrease in the percentage of shrubs and an increase in the proportion of perennial grasses, annual grasses, and annual forbs in the region. The fire also changed the vegetation composition of rangelands, so that the proportion of hemicryptophytes, therophytes, and geophytes were decreased while chamaephytes increased. Fire also increased the proportion of high and moderate palatable species (class I and II) and reduced the proportion of class III species. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the fire reduces litter and increases the bare soil; consequently, the soil erosion is exacerbated, hence this should be considered in rangeland management. Overall, uncontrolled fires in the semi-arid regions of the country will not lead to the restoration of vegetation cover.
Javad Moetamedi; Hosein Arzani; Mohammad Jafari; Mehdi Farahpour; Mohammad Ali Zarechahouki
Volume 26, Issue 1 , June 2019, , Pages 241-259
Abstract
The calculation of the grazing capacity requires the consideration of factors affecting it. Due to the effective factors, the long-term grazing capacity model was designed, and then the capacity of the rangelands was calculated. Grazing capacity was calculated by the proposed ...
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The calculation of the grazing capacity requires the consideration of factors affecting it. Due to the effective factors, the long-term grazing capacity model was designed, and then the capacity of the rangelands was calculated. Grazing capacity was calculated by the proposed model in four steps including estimating the average good production, calculation of available metabolic energy, the daily requirement of the animal unit and grazing capacity. Due to the drought condition of habitats and fluctuation of forage production in different years, one cannot calculate grazing capacity with once production measurement for the long-term. Hence, the average good production of habitats was determined and based on that, long-term grazing capacity was calculated. The average good production of Golestan Kouh, Vardast, and Pashmakan habitats in the statistical period of 6-7 years was estimated to be 425, 233.8 and 343.3 kg/ha, which are related to normal years in terms of rainfall. The grazing capacity of habitats in a quarterly period of four months was calculated to be 0.8, 0.3 and 0.5 animal unit per hectare so that if there is a drought for 12 consecutive months, there will be no damage to vegetation. Meanwhile, there is not much damage to the beneficiary and he will not have to sell too much of his livestock. The area needed for grazing of an animal unit in the rangelands was suggested to be 1.3, 3.3 and 2 hectare. This amount is recommended to be one hectare for a 30-year period based on a common method in range management plans. This indicates the need to pay attention to the factors affecting the grazing capacity and emphasizes the application of the proposed model in order to calculate the rangeland capacity.
Vahideh Abdollahi; Ghasemali Dianati Tilaki; Jalil Farzadmehr; Hormoz Sohrabi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , August 2015, , Pages 330-343
Abstract
South Khorasan province with vast rangelands with an arid and semi-arid climate and specific species is one of the most suitable areas for camel breeding. Despite the importance of camel in the province, no research has been conducted on species selection by camel as well as its relation to chemical ...
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South Khorasan province with vast rangelands with an arid and semi-arid climate and specific species is one of the most suitable areas for camel breeding. Despite the importance of camel in the province, no research has been conducted on species selection by camel as well as its relation to chemical factors of plants. Therefore this research was aimed to investigate the relationship between palatability and nutritive value of range species in south of Birjand. For this purpose, the selection of range species by camel was investigated in three phenological stages of vegetative, flowering and seeding using chronometer. For each stage, the study was conducted during three days in the morning and evening. In this technique, each camel was followed for 30 minutes during the feeding. In addition, plant samples were collected for chemical analysis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 15 software. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between preference value and chemical composition of species. The highest values of DMD, ME and CP as well as the lowest CF, ADF and NDF were recorded for Seidlitzia rosmarinus. According to the obtained results, the effects of chemical composition on species palatability varied from one species to another one. However, these effects depend on different factors including vegetation composition, available forage, species distribution, livestock taste and so forth.
Hamidreza Mirdavoodi
Volume 21, Issue 2 , August 2014, , Pages 283-294
Abstract
Range improvement in saline rangelands is considered as one of the most important priorities. The first step in this process is the identification of suitable plant species, with emphasis on native species having suitable establishment, growth capacity ...
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Range improvement in saline rangelands is considered as one of the most important priorities. The first step in this process is the identification of suitable plant species, with emphasis on native species having suitable establishment, growth capacity and forage production under field conditions. Therefore, in this study, the compatibility of four plant species was studied in Meyghan playa of Arak. The research was carried out in a complete randomized block design with four replications, for three years (2008-2010). The study area has a mean annual rainfall of 327 mm. The soil texture is silty-clay-loam, with an electric conductivity ranged between 2.1-7.1 dS/m and a pH of around eight. Groundwater table level was over three meters. The seedlings were cultivated with a distance of 2.5 meter from each other in mid November. The establishment of seedlings, canopy cover percentage, vitality, forage production, and palatability were measured. Results showed that all species were successfully established. Significant difference was found for the canopy cover, vitality, palatability and forage production of species. The highest and the lowest canopy cover percentage were recorded for Atriplex canescens and Atriplex leucoclada, respectively. Halimion verrucifera and A.canescens, respectively, showed the maximum forage production and maximum vitality.. According to the results of palatability, a significant difference was found for forage, i ntake so that the highest and the lowest forage intake were recorded for H. verrucifera and Camphorosma monspeliacum, respectively. Overall, H. verrucifera, a native plant species in the study area, showed the superior palatability and more forage production as compared to other species. Therefore, the cultivation of this species in this area is recommended.
Aazam Khosravi Mashizi; Gholamali Heshmati; Aadel Sepehri; Hossein Azarnivand
Volume 17, Issue 4 , November 2011, , Pages 549-563
Abstract
Considering previous studies which showed no significant relation between the distance from water point and total vegetation cover, in current research plant species were classified based on life forms (shrub, bush, perennial grass, perennial forbs and annual forbs) and palatability classes (I, ...
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Considering previous studies which showed no significant relation between the distance from water point and total vegetation cover, in current research plant species were classified based on life forms (shrub, bush, perennial grass, perennial forbs and annual forbs) and palatability classes (I, P and PI). One way ANOVA was applied to determine the variations with distance from water point 8 main directions. Results showed that 8 main directions had no significant effect on vegetation cover and palatability classes of studied life forms. While life forms and palatability classes had different reactions to grazing according to the distance from water point. As shrubs, bushes, perennial grasses and palatability class I increased and annual forbs and palatability class PI decreased with distance from water point. Perennial forbs and palatability class P had uniform distribution. Using results of Duncan multiple range test a critical area was determined at 400 m distance from water point. In the mentioned critical area, shrubs and bushes showed a decrease in vegetation composition while annual forbs increased. Palatability class I also was eliminated in this area. According to the variations in perennial grasses and palatability classI, very sensitive to grazing, it can be concluded that grazing intensity had been very severe at a distance of 800-1000 m from water point.
Hosein Bashari; Mohammadreza Moghaddam; Abbasali Sanadgol; Hamid Amanlou
Volume 9, Issue 2 , September 2001, , Pages 771-790