A Step Towards Sustainable Rangeland Management: 1- Development of an Analytical Framework and Conceptual Model for Participation of Rangeland Users

Principlal patterns of exploitation in complex socio-ecological rangeland systems and the development of patterns of public participation are regarded as a foundation for the sustainable rangeland management (SRM), which ultimately leads to the synergy of local communities to protect the natural resources. In order to better understand these complex socio-ecological systems, meet complex global challenges and achieve SRM, it is necessary to develop and assess practical and operational frameworks of participatory management. Considering the lack of information and knowledge gap, the present study provides a new and comprehensive framework in the context of participatory rangeland management. This study, while presenting the analytical framework of rangeland users' participation, and its assessment in Ghelangan rangeland of Shahrekord, provided a conceptual model based on the case study. In this regard, 30 local experts were selected through targeted non-probability sampling, while interviewing them, a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to collect the data and information. The main criteria investigated included education, participation, mobilization, and livelihood capital, with related sub-criteria. In this study, the average of each sub-criterion was presented in the final model. The results of each partial measurement were examined in separate studies. As a final conclusion, we emphasize the necessity of development of new conceptual frameworks for better participation of rangeland users and ensuring SRM.