Investigation on the allowable use of range species (Case study: Sepidan semi-steppe rangelands, Fars, Iran)
Paper Details
Investigation on the allowable use of range species (Case study: Sepidan semi-steppe rangelands, Fars, Iran)
Abstract
Proper utilization of rangelands prevents the degradation, and results in the sustainability of desirable plant species and thus helps to soil and water sustainability and genetic diversity of the country. This research was aimed to determine the allowable use of rangeland species. The study was conducted in Sepidan rangelands and six range species were selected. Treatments included four harvesting intensities of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%, applied on the species by grazing simulation method during the project implementation. In this study, biomass production, vigor and vitality, mortality rate, plant height and seed production were measured for each species. After applying the harvesting intensity treatments, the production rate of species were measured and were arranged in a split plot experiment in time based on completely randomized design. Results showed that the effect of different harvesting intensities for most species was significant (p<0.01), so that a higher average production was recorded for the treatments of 25% and 50% harvesting intensities as compared to the control group and a harvesting intensity of 75%. The effect of year was also significant for Centaurea aucheri, Eryngium billardieri and Hordeum bulbosum (p<0.01) and Prangos ferulaceae (p<0.05). According to the obtained results, the allowable use of Astragalus adsendance, Eryngium billardieri was estimated to be 25%, Medicago sativa and Hordeum bulbosum 50%, and Centaurea aucheri and Prangos ferulaceae 75%.
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Ghasem Khodahami, Ehsan Zandi Esfahan , 2015. Investigation on the allowable use of range species (Case study: Sepidan semi-steppe rangelands, Fars, Iran). J. Biodiv. Environ. Sci., 6(3), 141-145.
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