Journal of Rangeland

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Rangeland ecosystems have important role in providing forage for animals, conserving soil and water and offer other services to society, hence their management and assessment have high priority. This study aimed to monitor vegetation changes in semi-Steppe regions of Aghdagh-Khalkhal in Ardabil province. The canopy cover, density and abundance of plant species were measured using 30 plots of 1.5 by 1.5 m2, placed along the established 500 m permanent transects in range key area. Soil moisture and organic carbon were also measured in the plots. The results showed that the plant parameters of Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina and Koeleria caucasica were changed significantly over a four-years period based on the changes in climate variables. The frequencies of shrub species were not changed significantly. Soil organic carbon content varied slowly during this study. Land cover changes is mainly due to plant cover as litter cover, rock and gravel cover percentage remained rather unchanged. Monitoring changes in vegetation and soil condition in a yearly basis can be used efficiently by range managers to conserve rangeland ecosystems.
 

Keywords: Vegetation Dynamics, Trend, Range condition, Canopy cover, Khalkhal, Ardabil.

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