
	Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
	Year: 2008 \| Volume: 11 \| Issue: 13 \| Page No.: 1733-1737 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2008.1733.1737

Impacts of Overgrazing in a Long Term Traditional Grazing Ecosystem on Vegetation Around Watering Points in a Semi-Arid Rangeland of North-Eastern Iran

N. Hassani, H.R Asghari, A.S. Frid and M. Nurberdief

Abstract: In this study, the effects of livestock overgrazing on vegetation of the critical area around livestock watering points in a traditional grazing ecosystem was investigated on a semi-arid rangeland in North-East of Iran. Transects were placed in 8 geographical directions around watering points and samples were taken systematically. In each experimental plot, 4 m², percentage of canopy cover, abundance, density and species richness of vegetation were calculated. The results of this study showed that the percentage of canopy cover, density and species richness were changed with distance from watering points. Critical area immediately adjacent to watering points was dominated by unpalatable Peganum harmala and contained of ruderal species such as Sophora sp. Adjacent to this was a zone dominated by species of low palatability such as Acantholimon sp. and Hulthemia persica. In areas most distant from watering points relative importance of moderately palatable species such as Artemisia herba-alba increased. These results show the negative impacts of overgrazing on vegetation and palatability in a traditional grazing ecosystem, which may indicate the necessity of a monitoring programme, to manage livestock grazing and watering points in North-East of Iran.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

RELATED ARTICLES:

•	An Investigation of Management Effects on Range Functionality (Case Study: Karkaboud and Kouin, Taleghan)

•	Species Composition, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Large Mammals in and around Wondo Genet Forest Patch, Southern Ethiopia

•	Large Mammals and Mountain Encroachments on Mount Kaka and Hunkolo Fragments, Southeast Ethiopia

How to cite this article:

N. Hassani, H.R Asghari, A.S. Frid and M. Nurberdief, 2008. Impacts of Overgrazing in a Long Term Traditional Grazing Ecosystem on Vegetation Around Watering Points in a Semi-Arid Rangeland of North-Eastern Iran. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11: 1733-1737.

DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2008.1733.1737

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2008.1733.1737

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		AGRIS
		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Cambridge Scientific Abstract
		Chemical Abstract Services
		Google Scholar
		ISI Web of Knowledge
		PubMed
		SCIMAGO
		Thomson ISI

Science Alert