Moderate grazing is the best measure to achieve the optimal conservation and soil resource utilization (case study: Bozdaghin rangelands, North Khorasan, Iran)

The study of the variability of physical and chemical factors of soil due to different intensities of livestock grazing can help in the management and maintenance of soil and vegetation. Accordingly, the effect of livestock grazing intensities on soil properties and vegetation in Bozdaghin rangeland...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental monitoring and assessment 2021-09, Vol.193 (9), p.549-549, Article 549
Main Authors: Dastgheyb Shirazi, S. S., Ahmadi, A., Abdi, N., Toranj Zar, H., Khaleghi, M. R.
Format: Article
Language:eng
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Summary:The study of the variability of physical and chemical factors of soil due to different intensities of livestock grazing can help in the management and maintenance of soil and vegetation. Accordingly, the effect of livestock grazing intensities on soil properties and vegetation in Bozdaghin rangelands of North Khorasan province was investigated. To investigate the effect of different livestock grazing intensities, Three 5-hectare plots in the study area were determined under different treatments (ungrazed (UG), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG)), and the effect of three grazing intensities on vegetation and soil physicochemical and erodibility properties (SPEP) was evaluated. The soil sampling process was performed at depths of 0–15, 15–30 cm and SPEP including soil saturation moisture (SSM), soil texture (percentage of clay, sand, and silt), absorbable potassium (K), electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), absorbable phosphorus (P), acidity (pH), and bulk density were evaluated, and Soil Erodibility Index (SEI) was calculated by implementing the modified clay ratio relation. To assess the impact of various grazing intensities on all measured characteristics, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Duncan tests were utilized to compare the means and their grouping. The results showed that HG compared to MG causes worrying consequences in the first soil depth. Also with increasing grazing intensity, plant production percentage ( P
ISSN:0167-6369
1573-2959