Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Due to the population growth and human intervention in nature, desertification has increased drastically. The Masileh watershed is located in the southern highlands of central Alborz. In this study, vegetation condition, the volume of water entering the area, soil chemical characteristics, and agricultural production statistics of the region were examined and compared before and after the construction of dams during two periods with an interval of five years. Results showed that since the construction of 15- Khordad dam in 1995, the volume of water entering the Masileh plain has reached zero.The hydrograph study showed that the groundwater level of Masileh plain has dropped on average five meters/year. Due to the lack of flood entering and soil washing, the salt concentration of soil surface layers in most vegetation types has increased. Due to the lack of root access to water, the canopy cover percentage in halophyte vegetation types with shallow roots such as Aeloropus litoralis and Cyperus sp has been reduced up to 100%, and new species such as Halocnemum strobilaceum and Halostachys caspica have been replaced. In terms of agriculture, significant changes have occurred in the composition and type of agricultural crops. Our results clearly showed that the Masileh plain is turning from a productive agricultural area into a real desert.
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