Investigating the effect of different corrective actions on ecological indicators of rangeland health by using LFA method (case study: Behbahan , Chahshirin rangelands )

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of various improvement practices on ecological indicators of rangeland health using LFA method in Behbahan Chahshirin rangelands. To this end, three improvement sites including mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) tree planting, construction of contour furrow, and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh) tree planting, implemented in 2000, were selected along with three control areas. For sampling in each site and based on climate, vegetation type, and vegetation changes, three transects of 100 m length and a distance of 50 m were established in a random-systematic manner in the direction of the slope of the region. Three functional characteristics of rangeland including stability, permeability, and food cycle were determined using LFA method and 11 soil surface indices. The results of this study showed that the indicators and functional characteristics of rangeland were changed due to the applied management practices. The independent t-test results showed a significant difference between three functional attributes within the patches and inter-patches of each region compared to the control area (P <0/05). In addition, based on the results of variance analysis compared to the three improvement regions, the three functional attributes (stability, permeability, and nutrient cycle) were significantly different at 1% level. In general, the results of this study showed better conditions for Mesquite tree planting and contour furrow construction in terms of functional characteristics compared to the Eucalyptus tree site. Thus, it can be stated that improvement practices resulted in improved rangeland health.