Volume 19, Issue 4 (12-2025)
مرتع 2025, 19(4): 454-468 |
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Mojarrad-Tometri M, Mofidi-Chelan M, Sheidai-Karkaj E, Motamedi J. Analysis and Pathology of Rangeland Ecosystem Utilization within Rangeland Management Plans in West Azerbaijan Province. مرتع 2025; 19 (4) :454-468
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1329-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1329-en.html
Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia
Abstract: (138 Views)
Background and Objectives: The latest strategy for rangeland utilization emphasizes their allocation through structured rangeland management plans. Evidence indicates that rangelands have experienced increasing degradation in recent years. Therefore, implementing measures to improve rangeland management, reform utilization processes, and streamline the issuance of permits for rangeland management plans and livestock grazing licenses is essential. Achieving this requires thorough identification of problems and resolution of obstacles. This study aimed to analyze the challenges in rangeland ecosystem utilization from the perspectives of stakeholders and natural resource management experts in West Azerbaijan Province.
Methodology: This applied research employed a qualitative approach for data collection using a survey method. Experts from the executive sector and rangeland stakeholders were surveyed through a researcher-developed Likert-scale questionnaire. The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.767. A total of 30 questionnaires were completed by executive sector experts, while 80 questionnaires were filled out by rangeland stakeholders, including project implementers and local community experts. The Friedman test was used to rank the factors affecting rangeland management challenges across different sectors from both user and expert perspectives, while the Mann-Whitney test compared stakeholder and expert viewpoints. Finally, by consolidating expert and stakeholder opinions and applying factor analysis, the most significant problems and challenges in implementing rangeland management plans were identified.
Results: From the experts’ perspective, the most critical issues contributing to the failure of rangeland management plans in West Azerbaijan Province included: insufficient budgets for plan preparation from the consultants’ viewpoint, lack of assurance for stakeholders to invest in rangelands, improper implementation of planned programs, and inappropriate timing for vegetation cover studies. From the stakeholders’ perspective, major challenges included: high costs of inputs and implementation of rangeland improvement programs, uneconomical size of pastoral units in rangeland plans, and inappropriate timing for vegetation cover studies. Integrating expert and stakeholder opinions with factor analysis revealed the key challenges in rangeland management plans as follows: inappropriate timing of vegetation cover studies, lack of consideration for indigenous knowledge and stakeholders’ managerial experience in plan preparation, uneconomical size of pastoral units, insufficient monitoring and evaluation of plan implementation, non-compliance with technical principles in determining grazing capacity (allowable use, plant composition, etc.), inadequate budgets for plan preparation from consultants’ perspective, and failure to incorporate socio-economic study data in plan formulation.
Conclusion: Optimal rangeland management in West Azerbaijan Province requires prioritizing the development of economically scaled Rangeland Management Plans by the Rangeland Affairs Office. It is also necessary to revise current terms of reference for rangeland management plans and ensure, during audits and grazing permit issuance, that optimal allocation per household and minimum rangeland area per pastoral household are maintained to support multipurpose use, particularly grazing. Additionally, training and extension programs should be conducted to raise stakeholders’ awareness of rangeland importance, multifunctionality, and the benefits of ownership incentives under management plans, while promoting adherence to technical grazing principles. Finally, updating the technical expertise of consultants and advisory firms by integrating the latest scientific and research findings is essential to improve the terms of reference for vegetation cover studies and rangeland type management in the preparation of rangeland management plans.
Methodology: This applied research employed a qualitative approach for data collection using a survey method. Experts from the executive sector and rangeland stakeholders were surveyed through a researcher-developed Likert-scale questionnaire. The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.767. A total of 30 questionnaires were completed by executive sector experts, while 80 questionnaires were filled out by rangeland stakeholders, including project implementers and local community experts. The Friedman test was used to rank the factors affecting rangeland management challenges across different sectors from both user and expert perspectives, while the Mann-Whitney test compared stakeholder and expert viewpoints. Finally, by consolidating expert and stakeholder opinions and applying factor analysis, the most significant problems and challenges in implementing rangeland management plans were identified.
Results: From the experts’ perspective, the most critical issues contributing to the failure of rangeland management plans in West Azerbaijan Province included: insufficient budgets for plan preparation from the consultants’ viewpoint, lack of assurance for stakeholders to invest in rangelands, improper implementation of planned programs, and inappropriate timing for vegetation cover studies. From the stakeholders’ perspective, major challenges included: high costs of inputs and implementation of rangeland improvement programs, uneconomical size of pastoral units in rangeland plans, and inappropriate timing for vegetation cover studies. Integrating expert and stakeholder opinions with factor analysis revealed the key challenges in rangeland management plans as follows: inappropriate timing of vegetation cover studies, lack of consideration for indigenous knowledge and stakeholders’ managerial experience in plan preparation, uneconomical size of pastoral units, insufficient monitoring and evaluation of plan implementation, non-compliance with technical principles in determining grazing capacity (allowable use, plant composition, etc.), inadequate budgets for plan preparation from consultants’ perspective, and failure to incorporate socio-economic study data in plan formulation.
Conclusion: Optimal rangeland management in West Azerbaijan Province requires prioritizing the development of economically scaled Rangeland Management Plans by the Rangeland Affairs Office. It is also necessary to revise current terms of reference for rangeland management plans and ensure, during audits and grazing permit issuance, that optimal allocation per household and minimum rangeland area per pastoral household are maintained to support multipurpose use, particularly grazing. Additionally, training and extension programs should be conducted to raise stakeholders’ awareness of rangeland importance, multifunctionality, and the benefits of ownership incentives under management plans, while promoting adherence to technical grazing principles. Finally, updating the technical expertise of consultants and advisory firms by integrating the latest scientific and research findings is essential to improve the terms of reference for vegetation cover studies and rangeland type management in the preparation of rangeland management plans.
Keywords: Survey, Stakeholders, Executive Experts, angeland Management Plan, Participatory Management
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/27 | Accepted: 2025/11/2 | Published: 2025/12/1
Received: 2025/05/27 | Accepted: 2025/11/2 | Published: 2025/12/1
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