Journal of Rangeland

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using critical area (village) as a basis in the assessment of rangeland degradation with an emphasis on the composition and diversity of vegetation in Southeastern Sabalan. The vegetation and soil data were collected from the sites with high, moderate and low grazing pressure around three critical areas of Alvares, Latran and Vargasaran. One square meter plots along 100 meters transect was used to collect the data in each site. The species composition, diversity and evenness indices in the sites were determined and analysis of variance and mean comparison tests were then used to compare these characteristics. Cluster analysis and principal components analysis was also used to summarize and analyze the data. Results showed that unpalatable species (class III species) were dominant (more than 56 percent) in the heavily grazed sites. The production, density and canopy cover of plant species varied significantly  in the sites with various distances from Vargasaran and Alvares villages, but there was no changes along this gradient in Latran village (P<0.05). Production and canopy cover of the species along the studied gradient varied significantly (P<0.05) but diversity and evenness indices did not show any particular trend. Cluster analysis could not separate sites with similar grazing pressure. According to the result, the defined degradation gradient cannot be used as a basis for rangeland assessment due to the distribution of critical areas in the studied area. Repeating similar studies in Sabaln rangelands can clarify if this framework is an appropriate basis for rangeland assessment or not.