Comparing 3 methods of forage estimation in summer rangelands (Case study: Sar-Ali abad rangelands of Golestan province)

To find an accurate and rapid method of estimating herbage standing crop, clipping and weighing, double sampling, and comparative yield methods were compared in two vegetation types of grasslands and one cushion shrub land in Sar-Ali abad summer rangelands of Golestan province. In representative stands of each vegetation type, eighty 1-m2 plots were clipped and weighted. In double sampling, 16 plots were estimated and clipped. In comparative yield method, standard (reference) plots were used as the highest and the lowest yield were recorded for the reference plot 5 and reference plot 1, respectively. There was high correlation between estimated and clipped plots in double sampling. There was also high correlation between reference plots and their weights; therefore, the estimation of double sampling and the ranks of comparative yield method were corrected by using regression equations. There were no significant differences among 3 methods, but the time consumption of double sampling was better than the other methods. Given the widespread use of double sampling method in grasslands and shrub lands and also its high accuracy and precision, this method is recommended for the study area.