Comparing Ecological Functions of Northern and Southern landscapes of Darehkonari Khashab rangeland, Gachsaran County

To apply scientific and proper management of rangeland ecosystems, having information on health and functions indices of ecosystem is required. Using landscape function analysis, the present study deals with assessing and comparing of ecological indices in northern and southern landscapes, Darehkonari Khashab of Gachsaran. Length and width for ecological patches in northern landscapes in species Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss, Centaurea intricanta Boiss, Cousinia multiloba DC, and inter patches­(bare and litter), in southern ones on species Cousinia multiloba DC, Stachys byzantina C. Koch, Stachys byzantina C. Koch and Cousinia multiloba DC and inter patches were recorded along three 50 m transects across both southern and northern aspects. In addition, eleven soil surface indices were measured. These indices belong to three main characteristics of soil stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling. The results showed that the indices of stability and nutrient cycling in both landscapes have a significant difference (p 0.05). The main ecological indicator of northern and southern landscapes are C. intricanta and S. byzantine C. multiloba, respectively.