Article Abstract

Volume 23, No. (5), 2013 (October)
CHANGES OF VEGETATION STRUCTURE AND BIOMASS IN RESPONSE TO THE LIVESTOCK GRAZING IN STEPPE RANGELANDS OF IRAN
S. Zarekia, H. Arzani , M. Jafari , S.A. Javadi , A.A. Jafari, E. Zandi Esfahan

S. Zarekia, H. Arzani, M. Jafari, S.A. Javadi, A.A. Jafari, E. Zandi Esfahan
1 Department of Range Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Faculty of Natural Resources, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Range Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran

Corresponding Author: szarekia@yahoo.com
DOI: NA
Page Number(s): 1466-1472
Published Online First: October 01, 2013
Publication Date: October 01, 2013
ABSTRACT

This paper provides basic information on the response of steppe rangelands to different grazing regimes in steppe rangelands of Saveh, Iran. Data were collected from four rangelands including: a: Exclosure: for four years, b: Nemati Rangeland: rotation grazing system for six months, c: Chagneh Rangeland: continuous grazing for 6 months and d: Shirali Rangeland: continuous grazing throughout the year. Collected data included species composition, canopy cover percentage, production, and species height. Our results showed that continuous grazing throughout the year had negative effect on species composition and production, as the class-III species formed the main composition of Shirali Rangeland. On the other hand, exclosure for four years increased the canopy cover percentage and production of the species with a positive effect on rangeland. However, grazing management plans should include economic and biological considerations. Consequently, rotation grazing system and observing the grazing capacity could have positive effects on the vegetation and soil of rangelands.

Keywords: livestock grazing, vegetation cover, range management, Saveh steppe rangelands, Iran
Indicators
Metrics

Cite Score: 1.3

JCR Year: 2025

Indexing
Status

Web of Science (SCIE)

SCOPUS (Q3)

Journal Metrics
Current

Journal Impact Factor: 0.5

HEC Category: W

ISSN Details
Verified

Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

Search the Journal

Use the fields below to search for articles by Title, Author, or Keywords.