Identification the most important functional and structural attributes in ecological resilience of semi-arid mountain rangelands (Case study: Semirom rangelands)

Knowledge of ecological resilience is needed to understanding the secret of dominant of species in the ecosystems, species migration and the effects of disturbances. Main objective of this study is identifying the most important of ecological resilience in semi-arid mountain rangelands. Study area was Semirom (mountain rangelands, Vank area), located in the south of Isfahan province. The attributes were the share of index species in species composition, vegetation patches, distance between the patches, lichens diversity, soil nitrogen, soil potassium and soil organic carbon. The disturbances were 5 stoking rate (1, 1. 5, 2, 2.5 and 3 animal unit) animal units per hectare, to be studied for 4 years and 5 scenarios (grazing and ungrazing alternatively and consecutively). Data gathered by random sampling in transects and nested sampling units. Statistical analysis (eigenvalue, correlation, regression, beta diversity and simulation) done by the PC-ORD, PAST, and MATLAB softwares. The result showed that the attributes of the share of index species in species composition, soil organic carbon, vegetation patches and of lichens diversity indicates the amount of pressure on ecosystems and ecological resilience well. This attributes can be use in rangeland management as ecological indicators in inventory of under-pressure rangeland and ecosystem resilience.