Investigation of factors influencing participation of ranchers in range management plans (Case study: Savadkooh Watershed, Mazandaran)

Given the importance of rangelands for livestock grazing and conservation of the natural ecosystem, it is important to consider the factors contributing in the conservation and development of rangelands to achieve sustainable development goals. Therefore, beneficiaries’ participation in rangeland improvement and reclamation plans as a new approach to natural resource management is essential. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the participation of beneficiaries in the implementation of rangeland plans in the rangelands of Savadkouh watershed. Using Cochran formula and random sampling method, 111 beneficiaries were selected as the sample and economic and social factors influencing beneficiaries ' participation such as age, level of education, number of rachers, awareness of range management plans, number of livestock and income level were investigated. The results showed that age had a significant negative effect on participation in the implementation of range management plans. It seems that, despite background and experience, the poor physical ability as well as the type of thinking have contributed to the lower participation of aged beneficiaries. Also, the most elasticity was related to the income level, so that by increasing one percent in the income of beneficiaries, the likelihood of increased participation in the implementation of range management plans would increase 5.612 percent and with the increase of income, the likelihood of beneficiaries’ participation would increase by 0.325 units