Journal of Rangeland

  Semi-circular bunds are widely used as a water harvesting method to improve rangeland condition in arid and semi-arid areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of semi-circular bunds on the structural and functional status of Naron-E- Khash rangelands in Sistan & Baluchistan province. The length and width of all patches, inter-patch lengths were recorded along the 10 established 50 meters transects in treated and reference sites. Eleven soil surface indicators with three replications were measured in each patch and inter patch area to calculate the stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling of the studied sites. The functional indices of treated and control sites were compared using independent t test. The functionality of various patched were compared using analysis of variance and the Duncan's multiple range test . According to the results, all structural and functional indices in treated and control sites varied significantly (α= 5 %). The functionality of soil surface covered by Zygoghyllum atriplicoides were more appropriate than soils covered by Artemisia sieberi, area influenced by semi-circular and inter-patch area (bare soils). Although this study indicated that semi-circular bunds can improve the structural and functional status of rangelands, biological restoration with endemic shrub and woody species is also effective to improve rangeland condition.