Assessing the attitude of experts and rangeland users in the context of livelihood capital in the city of Fereydunshahr

Introduction:

 Livelihood is recognized as a center for sustainable rangeland management. Thus, in order to achieve sustainable rangeland management attention to livelihood is crucial. In this regard, Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization of Iran in order to deal with the challenges and problems of natural resource management and improved livelihoods of rangeland users has approved and implemented protection, conservation, development, rehabilitation and rehabilitation projects.

Purpose of the research: 

Plant diversity in rangelands and, consequently, the abundance of animal species can provide diverse service and functional potentials and values. Due to climate conditions and utilization techniques of arid and semi-arid rangelands, this species has become especially important issue.

Methodology :

This research methodologically is descriptive-analytical-survey. The statistical population was informed experts of the General Department of Natural Resources of Isfahan province and Feraidunshahr city and rangeland users of Feraidunshahr city.  In this study, non-probability method and purposeful sampling of experienced experts of the organization, experts and key local informants were used. Based on the main aim of research, the structured questionnaire of livelihood capital was developed.Questionnaire data scale based on the Likert scale were collected quantitatively, entered into Excel, and then analyzed by SPSS software. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the panel of experts and the reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by Cronbach's test.Geographical area of research The statistical population was informed experts of the General Department of Natural Resources of Isfahan province and Feraidunshahr city and rangeland users of Feraidunshahr city.

Results and discussion:

 Kruskal-Wallis post hoc analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the criteria of livelihood capital for both groups of rangeland users and experts. In addition, Mann-Whitney analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the perspectives of users and experts. The study discussed the divergence and convergence of the views of the target groups.

Conclusion:

 In general, natural and human capital has the highest importance among livelihood capital, which indicates its special importance of in future planning and policy-making for sustainable rangeland management.