Volume 19, Issue 3 (9-2025)
مرتع 2025, 19(3): 0-0 |
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Saberi M, Dahmardeh Ghaleno M R, Khatibi R. Analysis of the effects of enclosure on soil biological indicators in Koteh rangelands of Khash County. مرتع 2025; 19 (3)
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1323-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1323-en.html
Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Abstract: (31 Views)
Background and objectives: Soil microbial diversity plays a vital role in the functioning of rangeland ecosystems, especially biogeochemical cycles, organic matter decomposition, and soil fertility maintenance. Livestock grazing, one of the most prevalent human activities in rangelands, can impact microbial communities by altering the structure of vegetation cover and the soil's physical and chemical properties. However, the results of various studies on the effect of livestock grazing on soil microbial diversity have been contradictory, which may be due to differences in climatic conditions, rangeland type, intensity, and duration of livestock grazing. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is needed to understand these effects better. Given the importance of knowing the impact of enclosure on soil biological properties, such studies are necessary, especially in regions with arid and semi-arid climates and sensitive to livestock grazing. Therefore, the present study was conducted in the Koteh rangelands of Khash County to identify the effect of enclosure on the soil biological properties of the region.
Methodology: For this purpose, 60 plots were established in 6 transects of 100 meters using a random-systematic sampling design in each enclosure and grazing area. Within each plot, the list of existing species, percentage of vegetation cover, litter, stones and pebbles, and bare soil were recorded. A soil profile was taken from the beginning, middle, and end of each transect to a depth of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm for each area. Then, three samples from each depth were mixed to prepare a composite sample. A total of 24 soil samples were transferred to the laboratory to measure soil biological characteristics (calatase enzyme, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, basal microbial respiration, microbial population, and soil microbial fraction). The resulting data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the rangeland surface cover assessment showed that the percentage of vegetation cover in the enclosure area was 32.2% and in the grazed area was 10.9%, and the biological indices at the first depth in both enclosure and grazed areas were significantly higher than those at the second depth. These findings confirm that most of the biological activities and functions of the soil are concentrated in the surface layers due to more organic matter, higher oxygen, nitrogen, and higher metabolic activities. The results of the correlation analysis between soil biological indices in the Qorq region showed that catalase enzyme showed a very high correlation with microbial biomass nitrogen and the population of microorganisms indicates that increasing the activity of soil microorganisms increases the activity of the catalase enzyme, which in turn shows the biological health of the soil. Additionally, the microbial biomass nitrogen index exhibited a strong correlation with soil microbial contributions, the population of microorganisms, and the activity of the catalase enzyme. These results indicate that the nitrogen in microbial biomass plays an essential role in the dynamics of nutrients in the soil.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, indicators of catalase enzyme, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial population, and soil microbial contribution can be used as effective bioindicators to assess soil quality and health in rangeland ecosystems. Also, all biological characteristics of the soil in the enclosure area at both studied depths are better than in the grazed area, which indicates that heavy grazing causes a decrease in biological activities, a decrease in soil fertility, and disruption of biogeochemical cycles. Implementation of enclosure programs or rotational grazing management is recommended to restore the physicochemical and biological functions of the soil in rangeland ecosystems.
Methodology: For this purpose, 60 plots were established in 6 transects of 100 meters using a random-systematic sampling design in each enclosure and grazing area. Within each plot, the list of existing species, percentage of vegetation cover, litter, stones and pebbles, and bare soil were recorded. A soil profile was taken from the beginning, middle, and end of each transect to a depth of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm for each area. Then, three samples from each depth were mixed to prepare a composite sample. A total of 24 soil samples were transferred to the laboratory to measure soil biological characteristics (calatase enzyme, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, basal microbial respiration, microbial population, and soil microbial fraction). The resulting data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results of the rangeland surface cover assessment showed that the percentage of vegetation cover in the enclosure area was 32.2% and in the grazed area was 10.9%, and the biological indices at the first depth in both enclosure and grazed areas were significantly higher than those at the second depth. These findings confirm that most of the biological activities and functions of the soil are concentrated in the surface layers due to more organic matter, higher oxygen, nitrogen, and higher metabolic activities. The results of the correlation analysis between soil biological indices in the Qorq region showed that catalase enzyme showed a very high correlation with microbial biomass nitrogen and the population of microorganisms indicates that increasing the activity of soil microorganisms increases the activity of the catalase enzyme, which in turn shows the biological health of the soil. Additionally, the microbial biomass nitrogen index exhibited a strong correlation with soil microbial contributions, the population of microorganisms, and the activity of the catalase enzyme. These results indicate that the nitrogen in microbial biomass plays an essential role in the dynamics of nutrients in the soil.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, indicators of catalase enzyme, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial population, and soil microbial contribution can be used as effective bioindicators to assess soil quality and health in rangeland ecosystems. Also, all biological characteristics of the soil in the enclosure area at both studied depths are better than in the grazed area, which indicates that heavy grazing causes a decrease in biological activities, a decrease in soil fertility, and disruption of biogeochemical cycles. Implementation of enclosure programs or rotational grazing management is recommended to restore the physicochemical and biological functions of the soil in rangeland ecosystems.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/7 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2025/09/1
Received: 2025/05/7 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2025/09/1
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