Investigating the effect of banqueting operations on the characteristics of vegetation in the rangelands of Fasa city

Banqueting operations play an important role in the improvement of rangelands. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of the improvement operation of banqueting on vegetation characteristics in the rangelands of Fasa. Two areas were selected including area with banqueting operation and control, in each area 3 transects with 100 meters length were established. Along each transect, 10 plots of 2 x 2 m2 were established. In each plot, the characteristics of percentage cover and density of all observed species, percentage of stones and pebbles, litter and bare soil were measured. For evaluate plant composition in two areas, plant functional types were used.  Statistical analysis was done using statistical software.  42 plant species were observed in the banqueting area and 33 species were observed in the control area. The results of the t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the canopy percentage, density, litter, stones and pebbles, and bare soil in the banqueting and the control areas (P <0.01). The canopy cover, density of plant species and the amount of litter in the banqueting area increased by 30.57, 3.13 and 3.16%, respectively. The banqueting area has significantly improved the coverage of perennial and annual species compared to the control area. The banqueting area, has improved the palatability classes II significantly compared to the control area. According to the ecological indicators considered in this study, banqueting area operations are recommended to restore vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas.