Effects of watering point's distribution on vegetation characteristics, condition and trend of Rangeland (case study: Taleghan, Iran)

The area of rangeland which surrounds a permanent watering point is seen as a management unit and has been described as a ''piosphere''. Investigation of quality and quantity of vegetation cover in this area to range management is necessary. In this study the impact of watering point provision on the vegetation cover، composition، yield، trend and range condition was investigated in three piosphere in Middle Taleghan. To this target three watering points (with high، medium and low grazing intensity) was selected. Then we measured the vegetation cover، composition، yield، trend and range condition in two aspects (with high and low grazing of livestock) and distances (250،500 m) from central point of each point. For measuring based data، 100 m transects and 1m2 quadrate have been used. The data were analyzed by spss. The results show that maximum vegetation cover، composition and yield of Plants with class I is related to watering point with low grazing intensity. vegetation cover، yield and composition of Plants with class I in aspect with low grazing of livestock is more then aspect with high grazing of livestock in watering points with medium and low grazing intensity. composition (watering point with high grazing intensity) and vegetation cover (watering point with low grazing intensity) of Plants with class I increased as distance from water increased، while on watering point with medium grazing intensity vegetation cover، yield and composition of Plants with class III increased as distance from water increased. Range condition increased as distance from water increased on watering points with medium and low grazing intensity.