The effects of exclosure on vegetation changes and restoring indicator species of rangeland suitability in Ardabil province

The effects of grazing on vegetation and range conditions were investigated in Arshaq, Saiin and Sardul rangelands in Ardebil province over the past 9 years (1998 to 2006).) The vegetation composition, plant functional groups, biomass, species diversity and richness of ungrazed and grazed areas were compared. Plants canopy cover and forage production were measured using one square meter quadrats. According to the results, the average canopy cover of perennial species in the grazed and ungrazed areas were significantly different (P