Journal of Rangeland

Primary production and the contribution of each of the life forms of rangeland ecosystems are key features. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rainfall and temperature changes on the amount of total production and life forms: grasses, forbs and shrubs in Sabalan^,s rangelands. For determining of annual primary production (Full bloom stage), different species using one square meter plots by cutting and weighting method in different elevation was harvested in 6 plant types (totally 216 plots). Rainfall classes and temperature parameters were determined using the data of weather stations and derived relevant gradient. Then, climatic parameters for plots was derived by considering the position of sampling plots. Correlation between the life forms and total production with rainfall and temperature parameters were analyzed using multivariate regression method in SPSS₁₆ software. Results show that, climatic parameters with the life forms production of grasses (P<0.01), forbs (P<0.01) and shrubs (P<0.01) have significant relationship, however there was no significant relationship between total production and selected climatic factors. Moreover, results show that the production of grasses are more affected by climatic factors in comparison with the other two life forms and have significant differences in different classes. Additionally, forbs production is more than shrubs affected by the selected climatic factors. The result of study can be used for the calculate primary production in mountain region, supply-demand balance of forage, biomass, health Ecosystem, Ecological balance and carbon sequestration.