Effect of range management plan on range condition (Case study: Zarandieh region, Markazi province)

Given the breadth and importance of rangelands in water and soil conservation, fodder production and environmental services and evidence of the destruction of this resource, some measures must be taken to prevent damage and also improve its condition. One of the most important measures is preparation and implementation of Range Management Plans. Hence, it is necessary to consider implemented projects to know that how much they have contributed in preventing damage and improving rangelands. In this research winter rangelands (with and without Range Management Plans) were investigated in Zarandieh. For this purpose, 16 rangelands with Range Management plan and 14 rangelands without Range Management plan were selected so that all management types (private, collective and different areas of rangeland) were taken into consideration with same climate conditions as far as possible. Consequently all rangelands were selected from Mamoonieh-Zarandieh region with warm and dry weather. After calculating the number of plots (60) and its size (2m2) in each vegetation type, a reference area was selected in which vegetation factors including canopy cover, yield, density, litter, species richness, range condition and trend were evaluated in time of range readiness. Statistical analysis of data was performed by t-test. According to the results, there were significant differences between studied rangelands in most of factors. Overall result of the study showed a better condition for rangelands with Range Management Plans.