Investigation of Indigenous Knowledge for Identification and Classification of Environmental Elements to Improve Rangeland Management(Case Study: Nomads of Dilegan in Kohgiloie and Boirahmad province)

Stock holders, including tribal and rural societies in Iran, have had valuable savings in the field of indigenous knowledge in range management for many years that is cultural and social potential of this ancient community. This research was done on principles of classification and nominalization of environmental components as an important factor in the rangeland classification system from the perspective of indigenous knowledge. Data collection was done through interviews in nomads' residence and participatory observation through survey research. Key concepts were then extracted from natives' narrative knowledge. The results indicate that nomads have subtle and detailed observations about the classification system that is completely corresponded with local conditions. As they have separate classifications for each surrounding environmental components. Accordingly, they classify rangeland based on topographic features, temperature, vegetation, soil, water resources, land use and access road for every part of which they have separate definition. These parts are named and defined in such a way that for a majority of locals are known as practical concepts. While there is no publication for this kind of categorization system, the environmental culture causes nomads living in that area to make use of this system.