Determining the Time of Entrance and Exit of Animals in the Steppe Rangelands (case study: Yazd Province Summer ranges)

To determine readiness of range for entry and exit livestock, achieving information such as vegetation characteristics, grazing behavior, soil moisture content and Environment temperature, is necessary. Therefore, in this study, the major plants phenological stages, Monthly temperature and precipitation data and Estimating soil moisture were investigated in the 4-year period (1386-1389). The study was conducted in Yazd Nodoushan pastures, as a model of steppe rangelands of Yazd Province. Plants phenology data were measured in the vegetative and reproductive stages at intervals of 15 and 7 days, respectively. Soil moisture was evaluated as apparent. In this study, the results of relevant studies in the steppe rangelands of Yazd province were used to obtain optimal time of livestock entry and exit. Proper time for livestock entry and exit in this research sites and similar areas in the country has been obtained from Results of this study and Review summarizes available resources associated with the topic. Based on these results, in wet years it is recommended to start grazing season in early April. The droughts that annual plants are not present, inter time of animals Recommended in late May. Coincided with the onset autumn rainfall and reduction temperatures, exit of livestock from pasture is necessary up to a maximum the mid- November.