Volume 19, Issue 3 (9-2025)
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Shahpiri A, Kooch Y, Hojjati S M. Assessment of the impact of vegetation cover degradation on the chemical composition of roots and soil enzymatic activities in the summering region of Nichkooh, Nowshahr County. مرتع 2025; 19 (3)
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1303-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1303-en.html
Abstract: (27 Views)
Background and objectives: The degradation of vegetation and changes in land use can significantly impact soil characteristics. In recent years, human activities have led to the degradation of many such areas. Vegetation in these areas has been reduced or completely eliminated. Soil performs various functions, and the characteristics of roots and enzyme activities within the soil serve as indicators influencing these functions. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the effects of forest and rangeland cover on root and soil biological characteristics in a semi-arid mountainous region (which has habitats with sensitive and fragile conditions).
Methodology: This study investigated the effects of varying intensities of vegetation cover degradation, ranging from heavy (0-10% coverage) to moderate (30-40% coverage) and light (60-70%coverage) in comparison to undisturbed sites (control group with 90 -100% coverage) in the Nichkooh summer area in the Kojur district of Nowshahr city. Three one-hectare plots (100 m × 100 m) were studied in each of the habitats. In this regard, within each of these plots, 5 soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm to assess the condition of the roots, and for enzyme activities, samples were taken from depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm and within an area measuring 30 cm × 30 cm. In general, 15 samples from each habitat and a total of 45 soil samples were transferred to the laboratory. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to check the presence or absence of significant values of different soil characteristics in relation to the different types of covers studied. Duncan's test was also used for multiple comparisons of means.
Results :The results indicated a significant effect of different land covers on root characteristics and enzyme activity. In particular, the biomass and its characteristics, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in fine and coarse roots in the studied habitats decreased significantly. This decrease was especially obvious in the surface soil layer, which is the most active layer for root growth and nutrient cycling. In addition, in the Carpinus orientalis Miller. - Quercus macranthera Fisch & C.A. Mey and Crataegus melanocarpa M.B. and Crataegus microphylla C. Koch. - Berberis integerrima Bunge. habitats, the activities of key soil enzymes such as urease, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase and invertase also decreased with increasing intensity of degradation. The highest amounts of these enzymes were observed in the topsoil of the studied habitats. Results showed that heavy and moderate degradation intensities are clearly different compared to with light and non-degradation intensities.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that any degradation of vegetation, even light degradation, can lead to a reduction in soil quality and health. This highlights the importance of preserving vegetation and preventing its degradation. To restore degraded vegetation, it is essential to select and plant native species that are adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the area. These native plants can help restore soil structure, increase nutrient availability, and support the overall health of the ecosystem. It is also important to identify and protect sensitive and important areas to prevent degradation caused by human activities. On the other hand, habitats with light and moderate levels of degradation, due to their ability to be restored and the lack of significant differences from areas without degradation, can contribute to the restoration of degraded vegetation by selecting and planting native plant species that are adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of these areas.
Methodology: This study investigated the effects of varying intensities of vegetation cover degradation, ranging from heavy (0-10% coverage) to moderate (30-40% coverage) and light (60-70%coverage) in comparison to undisturbed sites (control group with 90 -100% coverage) in the Nichkooh summer area in the Kojur district of Nowshahr city. Three one-hectare plots (100 m × 100 m) were studied in each of the habitats. In this regard, within each of these plots, 5 soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm to assess the condition of the roots, and for enzyme activities, samples were taken from depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm and within an area measuring 30 cm × 30 cm. In general, 15 samples from each habitat and a total of 45 soil samples were transferred to the laboratory. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to check the presence or absence of significant values of different soil characteristics in relation to the different types of covers studied. Duncan's test was also used for multiple comparisons of means.
Results :The results indicated a significant effect of different land covers on root characteristics and enzyme activity. In particular, the biomass and its characteristics, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in fine and coarse roots in the studied habitats decreased significantly. This decrease was especially obvious in the surface soil layer, which is the most active layer for root growth and nutrient cycling. In addition, in the Carpinus orientalis Miller. - Quercus macranthera Fisch & C.A. Mey and Crataegus melanocarpa M.B. and Crataegus microphylla C. Koch. - Berberis integerrima Bunge. habitats, the activities of key soil enzymes such as urease, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase and invertase also decreased with increasing intensity of degradation. The highest amounts of these enzymes were observed in the topsoil of the studied habitats. Results showed that heavy and moderate degradation intensities are clearly different compared to with light and non-degradation intensities.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that any degradation of vegetation, even light degradation, can lead to a reduction in soil quality and health. This highlights the importance of preserving vegetation and preventing its degradation. To restore degraded vegetation, it is essential to select and plant native species that are adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the area. These native plants can help restore soil structure, increase nutrient availability, and support the overall health of the ecosystem. It is also important to identify and protect sensitive and important areas to prevent degradation caused by human activities. On the other hand, habitats with light and moderate levels of degradation, due to their ability to be restored and the lack of significant differences from areas without degradation, can contribute to the restoration of degraded vegetation by selecting and planting native plant species that are adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of these areas.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/01/4 | Accepted: 2025/07/8 | Published: 2025/09/1
Received: 2025/01/4 | Accepted: 2025/07/8 | Published: 2025/09/1
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