Ainvestigation of the functional characteristics of shrub habits in drought climaticconditions: A case studyof the southwest of Esfahan province

Rangeland ecosystems are composed of various components and functions. Structural and functional characteristics of patches have changed because of management activities.These characteristics can be used for interpretation of management. For this purpose, sampling was conducted at the landscape level in the south west of Esfahan province which contains the two species Artemisia sieberi Bess and Anabasis aphylla L.The functional characteristics of the rangeland were studied, and then the results were compared with the results of the physical and chemical characteristics of soil profile. Sampling was conducted in two transects of 50 meters and three characteristics of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling using LFA model. The results showed that the two studied species had approximately the same function, and the two patches had no statistically significant difference, but Anabasis aphylla L. had a little higher function. The study area had moderate stability; however, the nutrient cycle and permeability characteristics were poor, and landscape organization index of about 0.18 indicated that the area was unsuitable. In addition, the results of soil profile in the region showed poor permeability and nutrient cycling but moderate stability.