Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Abstract
Study of vegetation changes of grazed and ungrazed rangelands is important in range management programs. In order to do this, Chut rangelands located between Dashly Boroon and Maravehtappeh of north Golestan province chosen as the study area. Chut rangeland is saline with slow drainage and 180 mm annual precipitation. Vegetation type of this rangeland is Poa bulbosa- annual grass and forbs. Two sites of grazed and ungrazed area were selected and factors such as soil erosion, canopy cover, plant composition and vigority of plants were measured and recorded for five years. Results showed that forage production and density of annual grasses and forbs increased inside the exclosure. There was no significant difference between vegetation cover percentage and outside the exclosure (grazed and ungrazed rangelands). Generally, the results indicated that vegetation changes in the study area are slow and gradual.
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