Effect of biological restoration on vegetation and soil properties

Nowadays rangeland restoration is an important task because of severe degradation. It is important to know the ecological processes involved in restoration and the restoration success. This study assessed the effect of a biological restoration after seven years on vegetation and soil in Melerd of Savadkooh located in Mazandaran province. For this purpose vegetation and soil were sampled in different vegetation types (grassland، shrubland and abandoned arable lands) in the restoration area and control site. Data were analyzed at the scale of whole restoration area and control site to evaluate the response of individual species and functional groups. This was also done at the scale of three vegetation types inside restoration area. Results showed that soil humidity was greater in restoration area while soil sand content was greater in the control site. Also three vegetation types within restoration area showed significant differences in the sand، silt، K and EC. It was found 35 common species، 31 species restricted to restoration area and only 6 species restricted to control site from vegetation data. Five plant family، 13 species and some functional groups significantly responded to the restoration project. The biomass of forbs، grasses and total biomass significantly increased due to restoration project. Moreover، the biomass of forbs within restoration area was significantly greater in grassland and restored arable land than that in shrub land. Restoration project produced greater species diversity and richness. This study showed restoration project induced some positive changes in vegetation but little effect was found on soil properties.