Using a network analysis process in the restore of low yielding and abounded dry farming lands with range planting (Case study: Balekhli Chay watershed)

In this study, ecological conditions were investigated in five criteria; climatic, topography, geomorphology, soil and land use, with the defined sub-criteria in order to determine the most important factors in locating the capable dry farming lands and determining the priority areas for planting. Then a questionnaire was designed and completed by 10 experts to give score the criteria and sub-criteria. The results showed that among the main effective factors, the topography and the climate had the highest effects, respectively, with a weight of 0.43 and 0.26, and soil and land use factors are the next priorities. The geomorphologic factor has the lowest effect of 0.60 weights. After preparing the base maps, these layers and weights of the network analysis process model were combined together with GIS and the restore potential map was obtained in five classes. The results showed that 19165 hectares of low-yielding and abandoned dry-farming lands (35.32%) have the highest potential for restoration. The lowland area is 3445 hectares and 5.81 percent has very low potential. In general, according to the results, 75.54 percent of these lands have a medium to the high potential for restoration. This percentage represents higher capacity and efficiency of the region to range planting and rehabilitation of low yielding and abandoned dry-farming lands. Therefore, this method can be used in determining the most suitable dry-farming lands for restoration and forage planting and returning these lands to rangelands so that the success of the development projects of the dry-farming lands is further enhanced.