The Effects of Floodwater Spreading on Success Rate of Cultivated Species Planting and Combating Desertification (Case Study: Flood Spreading Station of Barabad, Sabzevar)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success rate of planting project. Also reviews combating desertification in this region by the Project. First, plant characteristics including canopy cover and vegetation density were measured by transect of 100m and plots of 225m2 (15×15), respectively. Also physical (soil texture) and chemical properties of soil samples including salinity and acidity at three depths of 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90cm (roots development zone) were measured. A region as a flood spreading area including three phases, two phases of Atriplex and one phase of Haloxylon was selected. Also, another region was considered as the control area. The results were compared by Duncan's test according to Completely Randomized Block design. The results of physical and chemical properties of the soil samples showed that the electrical conductivity and pH have decreased in the most samples. These changes were significant at the 5% level. Soil texture and sand increased but clay has decreased in the depth of 0-30cm, therefore soil structure has improved. The results of plant characteristics showed that water spreading has positive effects on establishment and natural regeneration of the planted spices (15.75 percent increase) and these changes are significant at the 5% level. Based on canopy cover and vegetation density results, there are no significant differences between Atriplex and Haloxylon; but the establishment of endemic species has been more successful in Haloxylon phase.