Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
In order to management of rangeland ecosystems, understanding its components and the effect of their interactions on each other including soil and vegetation is essential. For this purpose, present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Haloxylon spp and Tamarix spp species on soil properties in Niatak region of Sistan. After identifying the cultivation sites of these species, soil sampling was conducted for each species in representative areas at the end of the growing season based on randomized systematic method. Soil sampling was carried out at beginning and the end of each transects from 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil depths. Soil sampling was also conducted in the control site and then soil properties including pH, EC,N, P, OM, HCO3, Na, Mgand K were measured. All data were analyzed by independent t-test. Results showed that soil properties significantly decreased at both depths excluding acidity. Other soil properties under Haloxylon spp and Tamarix spp species significantly increased compared to control sites. Potassium content at both depths under Haloxylon spp significantly decreased compared to control site. According to the obtained results, a significant increase in soil fertility indices was recorded for Haloxylon spp plantation, while soil destructive properties increased significantly in Tamarix spp plantation. Therefore, although soil properties were improved by the cultivation of bothstudied species, Haloxylon spp is recommended for this region considering more positive effects of this species on soil properties as well as some negative effects of Tamarix spp.
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