Investigation on livestock presence in forest on plant biodiversity and soil properties in Zalemroud, Neka, Mazandaran province

Traditional animal husbandry within the Hyrcanian forest area and its impact on this individual ecosystem is one of the main challenges for Iranian natural resources management. The current study was carried out to investigate the presence of livestock on biodiversity, physical and chemical characteristics of soil in district 5 of Neka Zalemroud forest in Mazandaran province. In this research, after a pre study of the area, the four cattle (livestock) campuses was selected, then in total 72 plot of 400 m2 (20 × 20 m) in the campuses and in control forest area, were used to measure the type and percentage of ground vegetation in the center and four geographical directions of the campuses. Soil samples were taken from 0-10 and 10- 20 cm depth. In order to compare vegetation and soil properties, neighboring forest stands were selected with similar conditions as control areas. In each plot biodiversity, heterogeneity, richness and uniformity indices were calculated. Non-paired T-test (Mean Comparison test for two groups) was used to compare properties in the campus and control forest area. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the two areas in the variability index (Hill and Shannon) and in the uniformity index (Smith-Wilson and Simpson indices). In the current study of soil characteristics, there was no significant difference for the sand percentage and moisture content between the direct affected areas and the control areas, but there was a significant difference between the other physical and chemical characteristics in the two areas. Our findings indicated a significant impact of livestock presence on forest soil.