Investigation effective factors on degradation of watersheds from the standpoint of natural resources managers and experts in Iran

Several factors leads to negative changes in the quality and quantity of natural resources which leads to the severe decline and destruction of vegetation cover, soil, and ultimately reduce income of beneficiaries, destructive flooding, nomads and villagers migration to the cities and poverty of beneficiaries. The aim of this research was investigation effective socio- economic factors on degradation of watersheds in Iran based on questionnaire and the standpoint of natural resources managers and experts. Sampling was randomly from the managers of natural resources and Watershed Management Department (21 cases), and natural resource expert and professionals (71 cases). Validity of questionnaire was obtained using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient from the standpoint of managers and experts, 0.80 and 0.85, respectively. This research was conducted based on questionnaire and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Managers believed that extra livestock with 210 score, degradation of vegetation cover with 208, overgrazing with 203, landuse conversion of rangelands with 197 and early grazing with 176 score were the most important factors on degradation of watersheds in Iran, But experts believed that landuse conversion of rangelands with 963 score, overgrazing with 888, degradation of vegetation cover with 819, extra livestock with 787 and early grazing with 760 score were the most important factors on degradation of rangelands. The overall conclusion from the viewpoint of managers and experts is improper management of grazing and plowing and landuse conversion were the main facor of rangelands degradation, respectively. Also both groups believed that in the discussion of improper management of grazing, extra livestock is more important factor in degradation of rangelands than inappropriate time of utilization.