Evaluation of LFA method for determination of soil stability and organic matter content in steppe & semi-steppe rangelands in Isfahan province

This study aimed to verify Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) method accuracy in arid and semi arid rangelands of Iran. Four sites including Soh and Muteh in steppe and Bardasiab and Aghagol in semi-steppe rangelands of Isfahan province were selected. The LFA indices were measured using field studies and soil samples were collected along transects with systematic random approach. Some properties of seventy one soil surface samples from patch and inter-patch areas including mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil particles and organic carbon% (OC %) were measured in laboratory using Wet sieving and Walkley and Black method respectively. The regression analysis was conducted between two LFA indices (stability and nutrient cycling) and MWD and OC % data. The correlation coefficients of MWD and LFA soil stability index were 73.8%, 60.8%, 7.1%, 76.5% and between OC% and LFA nutrient cycling index were 60.7%, 74.3%, 42.4%, 74.8% for Bardasiab, Aghagol, Soh and Muteh respectively. The calculated correlation coefficients of all sites except Soh were significant (α=0.05). The results of this study revealed that LFA approach can be used to determine the functionality of steppe and semi-steppe rangelands and it assists rangeland managers to detect changes and response accordingly.