Volume 18, Issue 1 (7-2024)
مرتع 2024, 18(1): 102-118 |
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Khalifezadeh R, Bayat M, Khodagholi M, Souri M. Classification of Summer Rangelands under Customary Law in Lar Based on Range Management Methods. مرتع 2024; 18 (1) :102-118
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1230-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1230-en.html
Abstract: (356 Views)
Background and objectives: Choosing range management methods (RMM) is a useful and effective step for managing rangeland habitats. According to RMM, it is possible to improve the range condition (RC) without any manipulation of vegetation and soil and expensive range modification operations (RMO). Therefore, the question arises as to which places of rangeland habitats with what kind of ecological and environmental characteristics are suitable for enrichment. The answer to the above question requires the classification of rangeland in terms of RMM. In the current research, based on the approach of rangeland science experts (in this approach, grazing management is emphasized more and operations that lead to a major change in vegetation are not emphasized) and according to the category of RC, customary law of Lar habitats (which belongs to ETKA organization), was classified in terms of RMM and suitable places were determined for the enrichment of vegetation.
Methodology: For this purpose, first, a map of plant types (PTs) was prepared by field visit and based on physionomy. Then, by measuring the vegetation indicators, the RC class of each PTs was determined based on their distance from the climax, using the four-factor method. Based on scoring the characteristics of soil and vegetation, range condition trend (RCT) of each PT was also determined in different situations. In the next step, according to the RC and RCT of PTs and according to the proposed guidelines (guidelines for classification of rangeland in terms of range management method (GCRMM) which is in accordance with the principles of range management, the RMM and the type of grazing system (GS) or if necessary RMO, were proposed for each of the PTs, based on which, the planning map and the management of rangeland in the region was prepared.
Results: The RC of all surveyed PTs was categorized as good or average, with no poor or very poor classifications. Applying vegetation enrichment operations (RMOs) was not recommended according to GCRMM guidelines. The highest RC scores were obtained for "Perennial grasses" and "Perennial grasses-Perennial forbs" PTs (45 and 49 points, respectively), while the lowest score (31.4) belonged to the "Ferula ovina-Onobrychis cornuta" PT. Other PTs, including "Onobrychis cornuta-Bromus tomentellus-Thymus kotschyanus," "Onobrychis cornuta-Agropyron trichophorum," "Ferula ovina-Onobrychis cornuta-Thymus kotschyanus," and "Astragalus aureus-Thymus kotschyanus-Agropyron trichophorum," exhibited average RC. Balanced range management (BRMM) or natural range management (NRMM) were recommended for all PTs based on environmental conditions and RC. BRMM was recommended for 27% of the rangeland area, while NRMM was suitable for the remaining 73%. Based on the RC and environmental conditions, RMOs or artificial range management methods (ARMMs) were not recommended. Rotation grazing systems were proposed for 27% of the rangeland area, while deferred grazing systems were suggested for 29%. Deferred-rotation and rest-rotation grazing systems with a year of rest were proposed for equal proportions of the remaining area (24% each).
Conclusion: For rangelands in good, average, or excellent condition, RMMs can be employed to enhance vegetation capacity and improve grazing animal performance while maintaining or improving RC. Designing and implementing appropriate grazing systems is recommended in these situations, eliminating the need for costly RMOs. Currently, a critical task for rangeland management institutions involves creating and implementing management plans. Maintaining, revitalizing, developing, and utilizing rangelands in these conditions requires understanding existing RC and selecting one of the RMMs (BRMM, NRMM, or ARMM) based on the RC for incorporation into the management plan. This research emphasizes the use of RMMs for new or updated grazing plans, highlighting the inadvisability of RMOs for vegetation enrichment in Lar's customary law rangelands under the current approach of rangeland management experts. However, other approaches to range improvement, such as those championed by plant ecologists and ecological restoration specialists, may consider vegetation manipulation a viable option for some rangelands to increase forage production or improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, some pastoralists may still consider RMOs to be the best approach for enhancing rangeland economic yield.
Methodology: For this purpose, first, a map of plant types (PTs) was prepared by field visit and based on physionomy. Then, by measuring the vegetation indicators, the RC class of each PTs was determined based on their distance from the climax, using the four-factor method. Based on scoring the characteristics of soil and vegetation, range condition trend (RCT) of each PT was also determined in different situations. In the next step, according to the RC and RCT of PTs and according to the proposed guidelines (guidelines for classification of rangeland in terms of range management method (GCRMM) which is in accordance with the principles of range management, the RMM and the type of grazing system (GS) or if necessary RMO, were proposed for each of the PTs, based on which, the planning map and the management of rangeland in the region was prepared.
Results: The RC of all surveyed PTs was categorized as good or average, with no poor or very poor classifications. Applying vegetation enrichment operations (RMOs) was not recommended according to GCRMM guidelines. The highest RC scores were obtained for "Perennial grasses" and "Perennial grasses-Perennial forbs" PTs (45 and 49 points, respectively), while the lowest score (31.4) belonged to the "Ferula ovina-Onobrychis cornuta" PT. Other PTs, including "Onobrychis cornuta-Bromus tomentellus-Thymus kotschyanus," "Onobrychis cornuta-Agropyron trichophorum," "Ferula ovina-Onobrychis cornuta-Thymus kotschyanus," and "Astragalus aureus-Thymus kotschyanus-Agropyron trichophorum," exhibited average RC. Balanced range management (BRMM) or natural range management (NRMM) were recommended for all PTs based on environmental conditions and RC. BRMM was recommended for 27% of the rangeland area, while NRMM was suitable for the remaining 73%. Based on the RC and environmental conditions, RMOs or artificial range management methods (ARMMs) were not recommended. Rotation grazing systems were proposed for 27% of the rangeland area, while deferred grazing systems were suggested for 29%. Deferred-rotation and rest-rotation grazing systems with a year of rest were proposed for equal proportions of the remaining area (24% each).
Conclusion: For rangelands in good, average, or excellent condition, RMMs can be employed to enhance vegetation capacity and improve grazing animal performance while maintaining or improving RC. Designing and implementing appropriate grazing systems is recommended in these situations, eliminating the need for costly RMOs. Currently, a critical task for rangeland management institutions involves creating and implementing management plans. Maintaining, revitalizing, developing, and utilizing rangelands in these conditions requires understanding existing RC and selecting one of the RMMs (BRMM, NRMM, or ARMM) based on the RC for incorporation into the management plan. This research emphasizes the use of RMMs for new or updated grazing plans, highlighting the inadvisability of RMOs for vegetation enrichment in Lar's customary law rangelands under the current approach of rangeland management experts. However, other approaches to range improvement, such as those championed by plant ecologists and ecological restoration specialists, may consider vegetation manipulation a viable option for some rangelands to increase forage production or improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, some pastoralists may still consider RMOs to be the best approach for enhancing rangeland economic yield.
Keywords: Grazing systems (GS), Range condition (RC), Range improvement operations, Range plans, Range management methods (RMM).
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2023/10/31 | Accepted: 2024/04/21 | Published: 2024/07/31
Received: 2023/10/31 | Accepted: 2024/04/21 | Published: 2024/07/31
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