Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc, Range Management, Nour Branch, Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources, Nour Branch, Islamic Azad University, Nour. Iran

3 Expert of the General Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Golestan Province

4 Assistant Professor, Desert Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

10.22092/ijrdr.2024.131789

Abstract

Background and purpose:
Due to the occurrence of climate changes in recent decades, traditional animal husbandry systems based on rangelands have faced serious challenges. In this regard, the use of adaptation strategies is necessary as a solution to reduce the vulnerability of rangeland users. The present research has investigated the adaptation strategies of Turkmen pastoralists in the face of climate change in the Qaradong region of Golestan province.
 
Materials and methods:
This research is descriptive and has been carried out using a survey method. The research statistical population consists of 249 beneficiaries from 7 local communities in the Qaradong region of Golestan province, of which 148 people were selected as the sample size based on the Krejcie and Morgan table using a stratified random sampling method. The measuring tool of the research was a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the opinions of rangeland experts, and its reliability was confirmed by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient.
 
Results:
The results showed that the degree of pastoralists' adaptation in the face of climate change is moderate to high. The findings indicate that there are significant differences in the use of climate change adaptation strategies among the pastoralists. Thus, combined-developmental, saving, correct consumption, and emergency strategies were identified as the most used strategies. Also, the results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between adaptation of pastoralists in dealing with climate change with the history of livestock pastoralism and the amount of income derived from it at the 99% confidence level and also with the variables of age, the number of household members, and the amount of income from non-livestock occupations at the 95% confidence level.
 
Conclusion: The livelihoods of the pastoralists are heavily dependent on the rangelands, and many of them have only one economic source. This causes the continuation of the climate change process to increase their vulnerability. Therefore, adopting new activities in the form of diversifying income sources and creating alternative livelihood opportunities, as well as multi-purpose use of rangelands, will bring more adaptability of pastoralists to climate changes.

Keywords

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