Measurement of vegetation changes related to soil characteristics and livestock grazing Case study: Badamistan pastures of Tarem, Zanjan province | ||
| تحقیقات مرتع و بیابان ایران | ||
| Article 2, Volume 31, Issue 4, January 2025, Pages 323-346 PDF (1.31 M) | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.22092/ijrdr.2025.132899 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Farhad Aghajanlou* 1; Peyman Akbarzadeh2; Alireza Eftekhari3 | ||
| 1Assistant Professor, Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Zanjan, Iran | ||
| 2Researcher, Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Zanjan, Iran | ||
| 3Research Assistant Professor, Rangeland Research Department, Iran Forestry and Rangeland Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background and Objectives Growing awareness of environmental issues and sustainable natural resource management require continuous study and monitoring across various timescales and locations. Ecosystems, including rangelands, undergo constant change. Given their ecological significance, economic role, and vulnerability to irreversible alterations, rangeland monitoring is essential for their ongoing assessment. Research Methodology This study monitored changes in vegetation cover and soil indicators over five years at the Dagestan site in Zanjan Province. Field evaluations included plant and soil factors. Plant-related data encompassed canopy cover percentage, litter percentage, species density (where applicable), production, rangeland condition, and trend. Assessments were conducted using established methods, with adequate sampling and proper distribution across different plant communities during both initial evaluation and subsequent monitoring. Soil factors included pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter content, bulk density, and soil texture. Results Statistical analysis of vegetation changes and their effects on soil indicators under grazing and flooding over the five years revealed significant differences in most parameters. Total canopy cover and rangeland production differed significantly between years and site types (grazed vs. exclosure) at the 1% and 5% probability levels, respectively. The highest vegetation cover (56%) was observed in the grazed area in 2018, while the lowest (30%) occurred in the exclosure in 2021. Peak total production (126 g m<sup>-2</sup>) was recorded in the exclosure in 2018, while the lowest (48.7 g m<sup>-2</sup>) occurred in the exclosure in 2021. Total species density showed no significant differences between years, site types, or their interaction. However, on average, shrub density was higher outside the exclosure, while grass density was higher inside, indicating a significant difference. Vegetation changes due to grazing and flooding affected certain soil parameters. Increased grazing intensity correlated with decreased potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity in the topsoil. Conclusion Over the five-year study period, grazing significantly influenced vegetation, and the decline in vegetation cover had a notable impact on soil physical and chemical properties. Vegetation changes in the study area were gradual and shaped by rangeland management practices. Regular monitoring of qualitative and quantitative changes in rangeland vegetation is essential for informed planning and the implementation of effective management strategies for sustainable rangeland use. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Badamestan site; grazing; soil properties; monitoring; rangeland evaluation; rangeland management; vegetation cover; Zanjan Province | ||
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