Journal of Rangeland

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Nomads use natural supplements to feed their livestock and they avoid consuming hormones and other chemical synthetic compounds, hence their organic production has high potential for commercialization and marketing. This study aimed to assess the social and economical characteristics of nomads affecting their participation to establish local dairy markets in Kerman province. Random sampling was used to collect 366 questionnaires from Soleimani, Mehni, Kochomye, Jabalbarezi and Ayeneye tribes in 2015. The results showed that nomads WTA (Willingness to Pay) are about 22600 Rials per one litter milk in local markets.  Logit model indicated that the nomad’s livestock number, age, marital status, education, family size, annual income and expenditure have significant effect on their WTA. This study showed that local markets can be established with active nomad’s participation. Appropriate pricing policy for nomad’s organic products in the local markets will empower nomads and will improve their social status.

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Using new approaches to identify nomad problems and factors influencing their economy and livelihood have great importance. Trading livestock products in local markets may influence nomad’s economic condition, and assessing the impacts of these markets on sustainable livelihoods of nomads is highly required. Numerical taxonomy method was used to compare and prioritize sustainable livelihoods indicators that can be influenced by the formation and development of local marketing. We collected the experiential knowledge of experienced nomads and experts from the department of natural resources and the nomadic office in Kerman province. Nomads and experts believed that the financial condition and human capital have the higher impacts on the development of local markets than other studied factors. The ranking indicators of sustainable livelihoods of nomads by numerical taxonomy method showed that the employment ratio, accessibility, income from livestock production, diversity of plant species, family labor and labor from outside the family with DL of 0.043, 0.066, 0.079, 0.105, 0.118 and 0.122 had high impacts respectively on the development of local markets. However, the experts believed that family labor, accommodating tourists in nomad’s tents, accessibility, forage quantity, employment ratio, clean water accessibility with DL of 0.058, 0.171, 0.176, 0185, 0.209 and 0.219 had the high impacts on the development of local markets. This study highlights the importance of local markets on the sustainable livelihood of nomads and enhances their economic condition.
 

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The bitter and sweet species, scientifically known as Ferula assa- foetida L. and Ferula alliacea Boiss respectively are perennial herbs from Umbelliferae with considerable economic value. This study evaluates habitat characteristics and factors affecting on habitats of the species in terms of their vegetation density in Kerman province of Zarand city. Habitat characteristics including geographical location, soil physical and chemical properties, annual and seasonal climatic parameters and some anthropogenic factors of the two habitats were analyzed using independent t-test. Comparison of the average annual rainfall in the Reyhanshahr habitat indicates an increase of more than 48 percent equivalent to 118 mm compared to the Syriz habitat. Also, frost days as an effective factor in germination of the species in Reyhanshahr is equal to 81 days per a year and 47% more than in Syriz habitat. The results of seasonal climatic analysis of 17-years showed that precipitation, relative humidity and frost days are significantly different between two habitats mainly in autumn and winter, namely 34%, 11% and 55% are higher in Syriz habitat respectively. Clay, Calcium, Potassium, Calcium carbonate equivalent and Sodium uptake were significantly higher in Syriz than Reihanshar. Number of mines in Rayhanshahr is 4 and 1 in Syriz. Stocking rate is twice as the allowed animal unit in Syriz. In general, the results indicate that climate and edaphic factors have significant impact on decreasing density of Ferula alliacea Boiss in study area.