Production and Consumption Fluxes of Astragalus Demavandicus in Growing and Grazing Seasons in the Central Alborz Mountains, Iran

One of the most delicious, permanent and thorn-less species in the central Alborz is A. demavandicus. This species is distributed widely in the Irano-Touranian region especially in the semi-steppic areas. The preference value of A. demavandicus was higher than other rangeland plants in the high altitude pastures of central Alborz (Alamut region). However, the frequency was lower than other species. There was lack of relevant data regarding to production and consumption values of A. demavandicus. In the current research the changes of production and consumption of above-mentioned plant were investigated from years 2007 to 2010. The results showed that, average value of mass production of A. demavandicus was 2.5, 2.6, 1.3 and 4.2 kg ha-1 in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The mean value of plant feeding from 2007 to 2010 of that species was 1.9, 2.4, 0.9 and 3.6 kg ha-1, respectively. Relative production and consumption of that species was 0.1, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.3%, and 0.1, 0.4, 0.1 and 0.6%, respectively in the period of four years. The results of present research could contribute in the dataset of range land information. Also the data is useful for policy and decision makers of forest and range land organization to manage the high altitude pasture under sustainable pasture management approach.