Exploring the factors affecting imbalance of livestock numbers and rangeland carrying capacity and evaluating the impacts of range management projects on forage production: A case study in the Mahneshan Township

It is essential to implement rangeland rehabilitation plans to enhance rangeland condition and to support the livelihoods of the land users, particularly rural livestock holders. This case study aimed to explore the factors affecting the imbalance of livestock numbers and rangeland carrying capacities and evaluate the impacts of rangeland management projects on forage production in the rural areas of the Mahneshan Township of the Zanjan Province. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, participatory observations, rangelands document analysis. Finally data were analyzed using the coding, content analysis and sentences and phrases categorization techniques. Rangelands were utilized and managed communally and based on national rangeland allocation. Household livelihoods mostly depended on rangeland grazing and despite a small number of livestock per household capita, the average total number of livestock were 2.25 times more than the rangeland capacity. The rangeland management projects have not led to reduce livestock numbers in these rangelands. This can be explained by the high dependency of rural household livelihoods on livestock and rangeland utilization, lack of alternative livelihoods, lack of participatory approach in decision making process to select management policies and programmes. These projects can lead to a sustainable balance of livestock and rangeland capacity if these progarmes can be modified and adapted to recent range condition.