Journal of Rangeland Science
Volume:8 Issue: 3, Summer 2018

Activities of transhumance ongoing have been mostly carried out in alpine pastures for centuries in Turkey. These pastures used unconsciously have faced to the danger of extinction. In order to implement improvement plans in the mentioned areas, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of pastures should be determined. This study was conducted in the mowed and grazed pastures in alpine zones in Anatolia, Turkey in 2013 and 2016. In the study, botanical compositions, quality degree, condition and healthy of areas, hay yield, grazing capacity and basal plant coverage of the pastures were investigated. Loop method was used for vegetation measurements concerning the blooming time of commanding plant species. According to the results obtained from the research, 146 taxa were identified involving 8 endemic from 30 families. In the mowed pastures, the average values of botanical composition were found as 31.61% grasses, 18.65% legumes and 49.74% other plant families and in the grazed pastures, the average of composition was estimated as 37.75% grasses, 14.25% legumes and 49.00% other plant families. Botanical compositions of grasses (P≤0.01), legumes (P≤0.05) and other families (P≤0.05) were significantly different among the areas. Although all of the studied pastures were in the healthy quality degree and conditions (P≤0.05) and danger of erosion has not been seen, quality of forage and grazing is not adequate in the study areas. Hay yield was given as 2869 kg ha-1(P≤0.01) in the mowed areas and 1912 kg ha-1 (P≤0.01) in the grazed areas. Grazing capacities in the mowed and grazing pastures were identified as 9.37 (P≤0.01) and 6.87(P≤0.01) animal unit ha-1, respectively and it was detected that the examined pastures were grazed over their capacity. According to situation of vegetation, it can be said that climax vegetation of pastures was perished and the management measures should be planned for grazing capacity. Pasture breeding studies should be paid attention. In addition, weed control, top seeding and fertilizing should be conducted

Livestock grazing practices in rangelands are being recognized as management tool for environmental protection and increased livestock productivity. Continuous grazing has been largely reported to reduce pasture productivity and increase environmental degradation. Rotational grazing is an alternative to continuous grazing and is considered to reduce negative environmental effects and provide quality pastures and browse ensuring availability of quality feed for animals while conserving the environment. This study was conducted in a semi-arid grassland in the south eastern rangelands of Kenya which is primarily used for cattle production to establish how grazing management system affects herbaceous biomass yield, cover, plant species richness and diversity (in 2016). Quadrat method was used to collect vegetation samples. In each plot, a 100 m2 sub- plot was demarcated and five 1×1m quadrats laid out. A quadrat was placed at each of the four corners of the 100m2 plot and the 5th quadrant placed at the center of the plot. Herbaceous biomass production was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in rotationally grazed areas compared to both continually grazed and ungrazed areas with average values of 7037, 2478 and 2390 Kgha-1 respectively. Similar trend was obtained for vegetation cover. Vegetation cover of herbaceous plants was significantly higher under rotationally grazed areas compared to both continually grazed and ungrazed areas with average values of 55, 37 and 27%, respectively. There was no significant difference for plant species richness and diversities and between the three sampling blocks. However, the highest values of both latter traits were obtained in rotationally grazed areas, followed by continually and ungrazed areas. Improved biomass yields and high species diversity in rotation grazed areas was largely attributed to the flexibility in the management in which grazing frequency, durations and the rest periods are efficiently controlled compared to continuous grazing areas. This study concludes that rotation grazing allows flexibility of animal utilization of pastures resulting to enhanced soil water retention, increased species diversity; richness and vegetation cover which increase biomass yields.

Recognition of byproducts and their exploiting economic evaluation is one of basic requirements in documenting prospect of rangelands utilization. In this regard, the present study was performed to estimate the economic indices of exploiting byproducts production in Varnasa rangelands, Naghadeh, Iran. For this purpose, the economic data for calculating economic indices were collected after sampling vegetation and estimating shallot species byproduct and forage production per unit area in 2015. The results showed that the annual economic benefit derived from forage production per household is 71.16 US$ y-1. The generated economic rent was estimated about 98.14 US$ h-1 in year. Average gross income from the exploitation of byproducts in a harvest period per household was estimated around 838.23 US$ from 5.7 hectares that after reducing the explicit costs of utilization (transport), the net income was 761.61 US$ per household. Economic profit per household after reducing the hidden costs (labor) and explicit costs (transport) from gross income was estimated about 720.35 US$ y-1and economic rent of exploiting shallot byproducts is 473.47 US$ h-1 per year. Considering the discount rate of 3%, the expected value per hectare of the studied rangelands for the byproducts and forge production are estimated about 789.12 and 32.71 US$, respectively. Similarly, the expected total value of rangelands for byproducts and forage production is amounting totally to 821.84 US$ that the share of shallot byproduct to total rangeland expected value is 96%. Incomes from the exploiting of byproducts and forage production comprise 27.2 and 1.3% out of the average annual income of households, respectively. In addition, annual employment of shallots byproduct and forage production utilization was estimated 1.44 and 0.16 person’s y-1,respectively which the share of byproduct is about 10% out of the total employment. The results show that the byproducts exploitation plays an important role in the local economy and employment as well as declining the increase of grazing intensity. Overall, the results of this study reveal the need to consider the byproduct incomes in range management schemes and comprehensive management of natural areas

In order to study the effects of drought stress and mycorrhiza fungi on establishment rate and some growth-morphological traits ofZiziphora clinopodoides, pot experiments were conducted as factorial design based on a completely randomized design at the research greenhouse of agricultural faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014; pots were combined as four levels of drought stress including 100 (Control), 75, 50 and 25% of Field Capacity (FC) and three levels of mycorrhiza fungi including Glomus intraradices, Glomus versiforme and control. The results showed that drought stress of 25%FC decreased plants weight (0.75, 0.67 and 0.19g/pot), plant height (1.25, 1.18 and 0.7cm), establishment rate (67.50%, 57% and 14.25%) and plants root colonization by mycorrhiza fungi (50%, 35.5% and 0) by the application of G. intraradices, G. versiforme and control, respectively indicating significant effects of both Mycorrhiza species on drought resistance. Result indicated that the establishment rate was decreased significantly to 85%, 64% and 36% using G. intraradices, and G. versiforme and control at 50%FC, respectively. Similarly, the establishment rate was reduced in the inoculated plants with mycorrhiza treatments less than control (67.50%, 57% and 14.25% at 25%FC) so that symbiosis of Mycorrhiza fungi significantly improved Z. clinopodoides establishment rate under drought stress against the control. The effect of G. intraradices and G. versiforme on plants establishment rate (93% against 78.50% at 75%FC), plants height (5.93cm against 5.30cm at 75%FC) and dry weights (1.07g against 0.95g at 50%FC) was higher through drought stress. The Glomus intraradices reacted better to mild drought than G. versiforme and increased the establishment and morphological traits of plant. According to results, G. intraradices could be introduced as a biological fertilizer and a technique for retrofitting and increasing tolerance of Z. clinopodoides against drought stress

The species of Taverniera cuneifolia belonging to the family of legominoseae is a perennial species usually growing in the south of Iran. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the drought stress and seed priming using acid ascorbic (AsA) on seed germination of Taverniera cuneifolia in laboratory and seedling morphological traits in greenhouse conditions. This study was conducted in 2015 in Iran. In laboratory, a factorial experiment was conducted using Polyethylene glycol 6000 in drought stress (0, -4, -8, -16 bar) and priming AsA in four levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) for 24 hours and in the greenhouse, experiment AsA in four levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) and drought stress in four irrigation periods (3, 6, 9 and 12 days). Experimental design was a completely randomized design in four replications with 30 seeds per pots per replication. In greenhouse, seeds were sown in plastic pots in soil. All pots were irrigated until germination stage. Then, drought stresses were applied for 64 days and finally, morphological traits were measured. The data were analyzed and means comparisons were made using Duncan test (P<0.05). Results showed that increasing drought stress caused significant decreases in the seed germination, and morphological traits of T. cuneifolia. The lowest seed germination, shoot length, root length and vigor index were obtained in drought stress of -16 bar. The highest germination rate was obtained in priming seeds in 200 mM AsA and non drought stress treatment. The highest specific leaf area (cm2/g), leaf area (cm2), and dry weight biomass were found in priming seeds in 200 mM AsA. In conclusion, priming with AsA improved the seed germination rate and morphological traits in seedling of T. cuneifolia.

Estimation of plant dry matter to management of rangelands fast as well as high accuracy is important for managers. Research aims to compare Plant Dry Matter Productivity (PDMP) values estimated by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from satellite images BKA, KVA according to different levels of satellite image processing, for AL-Sweeda Badia (Syria), during the April, July of 2015 and October 2014. NDVI calculated according to digital number values (DN) then Top of Atmosphere values (TOA), finally Ground Surface (GS) values after Atmospheric Correction (AC) from L8 satellite image simultaneously with field measurements. Relationship between each two time-dependent satellite images was created. Then relations derived were adopted by L8 PDMP (PDMP) relationship estimation. Matter productivity average values according to TOA and GS was (15-42), (969-214), (3254 -22) and (576-563) kg / h for the previous dates respectively. There was a weak non-significant correlation between DN values and Matter productivity (≤0.063). And for TOA level relationship was relatively weak but significant (≤0.5). After atmospheric correction, it was strong (≥0.7) and significant at (1% and 5%) levels, and field verification measurements were consistent with 2014. Relationship between NDVI and PDMP for each of previous values was determined according to NDVI values of modern images. Previous relationships were applied to estimate PDMP then of objective maps was produced. DN satellite images contain geometrical distortions resulting from terrain, climate, change in velocity and height of sensor and radiation refraction in atmosphere, as well as for TOA values but at lower rate. But using GS after AC was good in rangelands state predicting and estimating PDMP.

The wide ecological area consists of a rangeland with special vegetation and one of the key factors in rangeland management is to select Management Indicator Species (MIS). Management indicator species based on a new method such as Analytical Network Process-Decision Making Trial and Evaluation (ANP-DEMATEL) is one of the most important stages in the successful Range management as choosing a suitable species for the site can be the key to success. This paper provides research contribution on selecting management indicator species using ANP-DEMATEL for the Range management of Nahavand rangeland in Hamedan, Iran in 2016. This research as a guide to determine the best Management Indicator Species (MIS) was interested in how to use ANP-DEMATEL approach using Super Decisions software version 2.8. The criteria of species selection were grazing pressure, soil conservation, palatability, and beekeeping value and a set of species for criteria included Acanthophyllum microcephalum, Thymus kotschyanus, Hypericum perforatum, Bromus tomentellus, Tragopogon graminifolius, Malabaila secacul, Festuca ovina, Poa bulbosum, Hordeum bulbosum and Medicago sativa. Criteria were identified as the most preferable options. Results showed that grazing pressure and soil conservation with the values of 2.001 and 1.125 were the best criteria for the range management. Among species, Medicago sativa, Thymus kotschyanus, Hypericum perforatum and Acanthophyllum microcephalum (0.1454, 0.1387, 0.1247 and 0.1155) contributed to rangeland management objectives. The result of this study showed that the multi-criteria decision making and ANP-DEMATEL can provide accurate results and help rangeland managers to overcome knowledge gaps under complex ecological conditions.

Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) is the most prominent cause of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) variability in any landscape. Kenyan Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) have been facing extensive land use/ cover changes in the last three decades prompting a review on the impacts it has on soil quality and consequently on land degradation. This study was carried out in 2016 in Olesharo Catchment, Narok County, one of the prominent ASALs of Kenya. The main objective of the study was to study how the different lands use types within the catchment affects SOC and Total Nitrogen (TN) stocks in the catchment. Using LandSat imageries, four land use types were identified: Shrubland (SH), Agricultural Land (AG), Grasslands (GR) and BareLands (BL). Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from 30 x 30m plots randomly distributed for each of the Land use type (LUT) at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths for the analysis of SOC/ and TN stocks. The study showed that the means of SOC in land use types were significantly different (P<0.05). Shrublands registered the highest mean total of 31.26 Mg C ha-1 which was significantly higher than GR (13.54 Mg C ha-1) and BL (12.85 Mg C ha-1). In terms of TN mean values, SH was the highest (4.22 Mg N ha-1) while BL was the lowest (1.6 Mg N ha-1). Similarly, the mean SOC and TN stocks in the surface layers (21.38 Mg N ha-1) were significantly higher than the sub-surface (18.74 Mg N ha-1) layers indicative of the stocks decreased as depth increased. The results suggest that land use types have influence on soil properties and their management can contribute to sustainable land management to mitigate negative effects of climate change.

Determination of forage quality of plant species in natural habitats such as rangelands and deserts is one of the most important factors for grazing management of these ecosystems. For this purpose, the nutritional values of Calligonum comosum in three phenological stages (vegetative growth, flowering, and seedling) were determined in desert habitats located in the northeast of Kashan, Iran (in 2017). Plant samples were collected from five plants as a replication in each phenological stage and the forage quality indices including Crude Protein (CP), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Crude Fiber (CF), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Total Energy (TE) and Metabolic Energy (ME) were determined. The results of ANOVA showed a significant effect of phenological stages on CP and TE (P<0.01) and DMD and ME (P<0.05). Higher and lower values of CP, DMD, TE and ME were obtained in vegetative growth and seed maturity stages, respectively. For these traits, there were no differences between flowering and vegetative growth stages. In contrast, higher and lower values for ADF were obtained in seed maturity and vegetative growth stage, respectively. It was concluded that the Calligonum comosum had higher quality in flowering and vegetative growth stages than that for seed maturity stage. Therefore, the flowering stage was considered as the best stage for grazing of this plant species.

Genus Salsola, a genus of annual semi-dwarf to dwarf shrubs and woody tree species, is widely distributed across the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. Several features like high fodder value, abundant seed production, tolerance to extreme climatic conditions like high temperature and prolonged drought conditions contributed significantly towards its success as a potential forage species in semi-arid to arid environments. Species of this genus are of significant importance and species like Salsola soda are cultivated and consumed as vegetables in Italy, while others (S. tragus and S. baryosoma) are utilized as livestock fodder in arid and dry areas. The species of genus Salsola are grouped as halophytes, which are also useful for rehabilitation and reclamation of degraded saline lands and saline soils, respectively. Many plants of this genus are used in medicines and cosmetics as they are cure for human heart, skin diseases, cough and influenza. This paper comprises a comprehensive review on the important species of Salsola, along with its medicinal uses and other useful properties that will aid the researcher in determining the need of future research. We focus on the adaptive features of genus Salsola plants for their effective utilization in drought prone semi-arid to arid conditions and also to remediate degraded saline soils.

Mansour Mesdaghi was born in 1941 in Ghazvin, Iran, where he completed his elementary and high school.
After graduation from Gorgan Forest and Range school, he had been employed in Ministry of Natural Resources as a technician in FAO branch of United Nation in collaboration with Dr. D. L. Goodwin, the Range Scientist at Houmand Range Research Station.
He received his B.A degree in Economics at Tehran College of Business in 1973. Then, in 1975, he received a governmental fellowship to accomplish his M.Sc and Ph.D. in Range Ecology at Northern Arizona University and University of Wyoming. The results of his dissertation on vegetation of saline and alkaline habitats of Red Desert in Wyoming was published in Shrublands of Wyoming by his supervisor, Professor Herbert G. Fisser.
After continuation his career as an expert in Research Institute and in Forest and Range Origination, he was transferred to the College of Natural Resources in Gogran where he had taught the courses of Range Measurement, Quantitative Plant Ecology, Phytosociology, Advanced Statistical Methods, and Range Research Techniques.
During his sabbatical leaves at Colorado State University, 1993-1995, USA and at University of British Colombia, 2002-2003, Professor Mesdaghi integrated the idea of socio-economics in rangeland inventory and evaluation and presented his results in Proceedings of the V International Rangeland Congress in 1995, USA, and XX International Grassland Congress, in Canada, 2015.
Professor Mesdaghi is the author of Range Management in Iran, Plant Ecology, and Statistical and Regression Methods.
He has also translated the Range Management Books such as: Principles and Practices, Ecological Methodology, Vegetation Description and Analysis, Wildlife Ecology and Management, Walter’s Vegetation of Earth which were the best books of outstanding scientists in the world.