Comparing Methods of Estimating Long-Term Grazing Capacity (Conventional Method and Method of Emphasizing Metabolic Energy) in Rangelands of Dasheir Watershed in Yazd Province

For effective utilization of rangelandsand sustainable livestock production, determining the grazing capacity of the rangeland is amongst the main objectives of rangeland managers.In order to compare different methods of determining long-term grazing capacity, two common methods (using available forage) and the factors affecting the grazing capacity (metabolic energy) were examined on six sites in the Dasheir area, Yazd province; drawing ontheaverage good production over a long period (15 years). To determine the capacity of plant types, various factors such as the size of the plant type, the quality and metabolic energy of the available species, the metabolic energy required for the dominant livestock, rangeland production, and other important factors were considered. The average good production, the amount produced in excess of or equal to 70% over the years, was considered as a good average production (long-term production).Long-term production per hectare in the rangelands was respectively 396.5 kg forAliabad, 362.8 kg forDarrehzereshk, 304.73 kgfor Hasanabad, 243.15 kgfor Turanposhtand 253.72 kgfor Dehshir. The results showed that Mortaziehregion is not suitable for grazing due to the poorness and high susceptibility to soil erosion.The results of capacity determination following the two methods (i.e., common and metabolic energy) indicate that, from Dehshir to Aliabad, the difference in capacity was 174,162,130,383 and 257 animal units. The results showthat the usual method of capacity determination (which does not pay adequate attention to grazing factors) overestimates the grazing capacity.