Effect of Enclosure Restoration Practices on Physical and Chemical Soil Properties in Arid Region of Maraveh Tapeh, Golestan Province

Soil is an important component of rangeland ecosystems and investigation on the effect of enclosure on soil properties can be useful in the proper management of rangeland. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of enclosure on soil properties in Maraveh tapeh rangeland's in the Golestan province. Soil sampling was performed by systematic–randomize method and establishment of five transects in each enclosure and control site. Then, soil samples were taken randomly from three-points in two depths (0-20 and 20-40cm) of each transects. Finally in each site, five composite soil sample of each depth were obtained by mixing all soil samples of each transect. Then, some soil physical and chemical properties including pH, electrical conductivity, bulky density, soil moisture storage, soil saturation percentage, the percentage of soil organic matter, the percentage of lime, and soil texture were determined in laboratory. Data analysis was performed by independent T test. The results demonstrated that some of studied soil properties have changed significantly because of enclosure. So, the mean of soil moisture storage and the percentage of sand in soil texture have increased significantly and the mean of soil pH was decreased significantly in enclosure site as compared with control site. The results demonstrated that enclosure has had more effect on the first depth (0-20cm) as compared to the second depth (20-40cm).