Effects of grazing management projects on vegetation and some soil physico-chemical properties (Case study: Dehsard region of Kerman province)

Grazing management projects conducted by natural resources offices have been less evaluated in previous studies. This research was conducted in order to determine the effects of grazing management projects on vegetation and some soil physico-chemical properties in Dehsard region of Kerman province. Soil and vegetation properties were sampled in early autumn in a completely randomized block design with three replications. Soil samples were taken from depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm and soil properties including organic matter، total nitrogen، available phosphorus، available potassium، pH، texture، moisture، and electrical conductivity were measured. Fifty-meter length transects were established and species composition and canopy cover percentage were recorded by linear-contact method. Our results showed that grazing management project caused a double increase in the amount of organic matter and nitrogen in soil surface as compared to the adjacent rangelands. Increased shrub and bush species (3. 8 and 5%، respectively) is important as the main source of forage. According to these changes over a period of six years in the project area، the effects of grazing management projects can be evaluated as positive.