Volume 12, Issue 2 (8-2018)
مرتع 2018, 12(2): 242-254 |
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Molaeinasab A, Bashari H, Tarkesh Esfahani M. Comparing rangeland functions using landscape function analysis and rangeland health (Case study: Meidanak rangelands, Fereidoonshar). مرتع 2018; 12 (2) :242-254
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-614-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-614-en.html
Abstract: (5417 Views)
Identifying the most appropriate method to assess the functional status of rangelands can assist managers to evaluate degradation and appropriately interpret changes in the ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the structure and function characteristics of range places with various range health classes using Landscape Function Analysis (LFA). A stratified random sampling method was used based on distance from villages and watering points to select four range places, including grazing excluded area (as reference) and three range places with various grazing intensities in Meidanak, Fereidoonshar, Isfahan. Range health status was assessed in the reference area and the variations of the 17 measured indicators in each range places from reference area condition were used to obtain three ecosystem function indices including soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and integrity of the biotic community of each range place in May 2015. Nine transects with 30 m length were established randomly in each range place along the overall slope. The length and width of all the ecological patch types and the length of inter-patch were measured along the established transects. Eleven soil surface indicators with three replications were measured in each patch and inter-patch areas to calculate the stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling of the range places. According to the results, range health conditions of range places with low, moderate and high grazing pressure were assessed as "healthy", “at risk” and "unhealthy", respectively. Although most of the structural indices (patch length, total patch area, patch area index, cover percentage, and bare soil percentage) and functional indices (stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling) in "health" and "unhealthy" range places sites varied significantly (α = 5%), these indices did not differ significantly between "at risk" with "unhealthy" and "healthy" range places. The results of this study highlighted the influence of grazing management on soil surface function and range health status.
Keywords: Ecosystem structure, Ecosystem function, Landscape function analysis (LFA), Rangeland health, Semi-steppe rangelands.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2018/08/12 | Accepted: 2018/08/12 | Published: 2018/08/12
Received: 2018/08/12 | Accepted: 2018/08/12 | Published: 2018/08/12
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