Effects of grazing management on rangeland condition and forage production under different utilization systems (Case study: Damavand Summer Rangeland in Amol County)

Holistic ecosystem approach in range management requires knowledge on all ecosystem components and their relationships. This is essential for sustainable management and proper planning in rangelands. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing management indices on range condition and forage production under three methods of utilization including collective property, private property and council property. The study was carried out in Damavand summer rangeland in Amol county, Mazandaran province. In this regard, 15 ranches were selected and according to the research objectives and hypotheses, 88 questionnaires were completed through direct interviews with exploiters in the region. Range condition was determined using four-factor method and forage production was estimated by clipping method. The results of this study indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between the eight indicators of grazing management and range condition and forage production at 1% level of significance. In addition, the results of correlation analysis between individual items or indicators of grazing management and range condition showed that there was no significant correlation between three items (including considering the proper time of beginning and ending of grazing in rangeland and the number of allowable livestock by ranchers) and range condition in different ranches. However, other indicators of grazing management showed significant correlation with range condition and the highest correlation was obtained for exclosure program.