Effects of Rangeland Exclosure on Chemical and Organic Properties of Soil (Case study: Gonbad Area)

Subject Areas : natural resorces

Abbas Ghobadi ¹ , Davoud Akhzari ²

1 - M.Sc. Student of Rangeland Management, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Nature Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran. *(Corresponding Author)

Received: 2017-12-16 Accepted : 2020-11-05 Published : 2020-12-21

Keywords: Exclosure, Soil Properties, Rangeland, Gonbad Watershed of Hamadan,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Grazing as one of ecological disturbances causes changes in soil characteristics of rangelands. This study was carried out to study the effect of Grazed pasture on plant cover, microbial deposits and some soil characteristics of Gonbad in Hamedan. Method: Five transects of 1000 meters were considered separately for soil characteristics in each region (grazed and ungrazed). Systematic sampling of soil was performed every 100 meters in May 2016. The elements of Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Zn were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer, acidity with pH meter, bulk density from clavicle method, total nitrogen from Kjeldahl method, organic carbon and soil organic matter by the oxidation method of Walkybak and Zeitous Carbon microbial was calculated by quenching-extraction method. Findings: After analyzing, it was determined that the concentrations of K and Zn in the soil of the sample area and the concentration of Mg in the soil of the control area increased significantly at 5% level. Soil acidity in the control area increased from 7/1 in the sample area to 7/23. Soil moisture content decreased significantly in the control area and from 27.11% in the sample area reached 18.12%. Soil bulk density in the control area was 1.16 g / cm3, which decreased significantly in the sample area and reached 0.98 g / g / cm3. The carbon microbial biomass was significantly differed in the soil of grazed and control areas. The comparison of the mean microbial carbon content in studied rangelands showed that this parameter ranged from 0.83 g / kg in the control area (grazed) to 0.95 g / kg and increased significantly. Discussion and Conclusions:  The exclosure area has been enclosed with exclosure, soil characteristics in the path of sequencing and achieving ideal conditions, but it still needs attention and continued conservation.  

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