Journal of Rangeland

  The effects of management practices on the status of rangeland conditions can be assessed by soil surface and functional indicators of rangelands. This study aimed to investigate the effects of enclosure on ecological index of rangeland health in Jbalbarez enclosure (Jiroft) using landscape function analysis. A control site (grazed site) next to enclosure was also selected to evaluate the effects of enclosure on the soil and vegetation characteristics of the area. T hree transects of 50 meters length were established in each site . Eleven soil surface indicators were assessed to recognize three functionality indices including stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling. The results showed that the average ecological patches length (0.73m) was less than the control (0.87m). The results indicated that the average inter-patches length of control site was approximately 1.5 times more than the enclosure site. Organization index was also higher in enclosure site (1) compared to the control (0.39). The comparison of functional properties in patches and inter-patches in both areas showed that the patches had more contribute to the functionality of the sites in compare to the inter-patch zones. Although the stability (54.87), infiltration (29) and nutrient cycling (17.40) indices in the enclosure area were more than the control site, no significant differences were observed between the two areas (p‹ 0.05). Regression model analyses suggested that soil surface roughness, stability of natural soil fragments to the rapid wetting and perennial vegetation cover had more influence in the functionality indices of enclosure site. Perennial vegetation cover, resistance to disturbance and crust brokness had more influence in the functionality indices of the control site. This study indicated that the enclosure can enhance the functionality of the rangeland ecosystems considerably.