Explaining the role of economic poverty and social capital of beneficiaries in rangeland degradation (Case study: Rangelands of Bijar protected region)

Rangeland destruction has been exacerbated by the economic poverty and the weakening of the social capital of rural residents in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explain the role of economic poverty and social capital of beneficiaries in rangeland degradation of Bijar protected region. The statistical population of the study included 1124 rural households residing in Bijar Protected Area. According to Cochran formula, 287 households were selected as statistical sample and proportionally divided between the villages. Data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, economic assets (household income and cost), social capital, and rangeland degradation. After confirming the validity of questionnaire by the expertschr('39') opinion, the reliability of social capital and rangeland destruction questionnaire are obtained 0.83 and 0.79 respectively that showed the appropriate reliability of researcher-made questionnaires. The viewpoints of beneficiaries regarding rangeland degradation were studied in three parts including factors related to livestock and animal husbandry, cutting and harvesting and land use change. Data were analyzed using chi-square, paired t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS 16 software. Relative poverty line was used to separate the poor and the non-poor and 66% of total monthly household expenditure was used to calculate it. According to the results of the study, the per capita relative poverty line in the study area was estimated 2130000 Rials in 1398, that 24.7% of studied rural residents were poor. The mean score of social capital for beneficiaries is estimated 3.12 in a moderate manner. There was a significant relationship between variables such as age, educational level, occupation, household dimension and income with poverty of beneficiaries. According to the beneficiarieschr('39') viewpoint, conversion of rangelands to agricultural land, long grazing and competition in livestock grazing with the mean of 4.14, 3.62 and 3.24 are the most important causes of degradation of rangelands, respectively. According to the results of the study, the average rate of rangelands degradation by poor respondents was significantly higher than non-poor respondents. Also, from the viewpoint of beneficiaries with higher social capital, factors related to livestock and animal husbandry and cutting and harvesting have a greater effect on rangeland degradation. There was no significant difference between poor and non-poor beneficiaries in the aspect of social capital, although the average scores of social capital was higher among non-poor respondents. Therefore, by improving the economic condition and reducing the economic and social poverty of rural residents, one can expect a reduction in the rangelands destruction of Bijar protected region.