Evaluating land capability of Yekkeh Chenar Maraveh Tappeh for range application using ERAMS model& GIS

Land degredation is a common phenomenon of arid rangelands. Improper utilization of rangelands out of their potential capability is the main cause of land destruction. To avoid damageing environmental resources, it is necessary to use lands based on their natural potentials. To have both sustainable development and optimum utilization, we need to evaluate potential productivity of rangelands baesd on simple models that easly relate measurable environmental parameters to potential herbage productivity of rangelands. In this study our aim is to evaluate ERAMS model to evaluate land capability of Yekkeh Chenar Maraveh tappeh rangelands using GIS. This model includes 4 parameters including: slope, salinity, soil depth and rainfall. To get the final land capability map of the area, digital layers(maps) of those parameters were prepared and intered in the model using overlay functunality of GIS. Cross tabulation was used to asses the degree of agreement between the actual and potential land capability maps produced by ERAMS model. Kappa Index of Agreement value shows an overall agrement of 41% between the actual and potential land capability maps. That means ERAMS model was able to define the potential land capability of the area with 41% accuracy. Result also shows that the highest attained agreement belong to the category of high density vegetation. This model can predict the potential productivity of rangelands with high productivity rate better than those of low productivity as was the case for the study area.. This model is thus recommended to be used for vast and densly vegetatated areas.