Evaluation of Rangeland Condition based on Plant indices in Summer Rangelands of Lasem, Haraz

With attention to importance of range condition for correct management of range ecosystems and relationship among biodiversity, canopy cover percentage and the importance degree of dominant species with range condition and health, this research was conducted with comparison of three methods including pastoral value, six factors and four factors methods in summer rangelands of Lasem, Haraz. Plant types was separated with use of aerial photos (1:20000) and field control on topographic maps (1:50000).The sampling was done by quadrat and transects using random-systematic method in key areas. In this points Shanon, Sympson indices, importance degree of dominant species, canopy cover percent and scores of range condition methods has calculated for determination of relation among them. In order to Pearson correlation test, liner regression and analysis of variance were run with Mini tab 13.3. The results showed that Shanon diversity index had significant relation with six factors, four factors and pastoral value but rate of this relationship to six factors was more than other methods. Sympson index had not correlation with them. The comparison of canopy cover index and importance degree showed that these factors had not significant relation to pastoral value and four factors methods while six factors method had high correlation with them. Thus in this research, the best suitable method of range condition is recognized six factors method.