Analysis of affecting Factors on the Rangeland Conservation in Khorasan razavi province, Bardaskan township

Arid ecosystems and deserts cover much of the Iran’s land. These areas are exploited by local communities. Considering the importance of the conservation and development of natural ecosystems in the arid regions, a study was done to assess factors influencing usage of rangeland conservation practices by exploiters through combination of survey methods and case study in arid rangeland of Bardaskan County. Data were collected using existing documents, focus groups, semi-structured and structured interviews by questionnaires filled by 222 rural exploiters chosen through a randomized multi stage sampling technique. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS software for Windows. Findings shows that exploiters have a vast knowledge regarding the role, importance and affecting factors on rangeland degradation but their actions about mechanical operations are in a low level. The results also showed that exploiters action in the field of biological and grazing management operations have significant positive relationship with the implementation of rangeland management plans, interaction with external organizations, participating in the extension courses, increasing education and increasing levels of farm and garden area. Based on path analysis, 37% changes of farmers actions regarding the rangeland conservation explained by variables of restoration actions, the knowledge regarding the conservation operations, interaction with external institutions, education, number of taken courses. It can be concluded that educational activities and interaction with external institutions can be effective in increasing exploiters’ knowledge, their actions and sustainable exploitation of rangelands.