Rangeland Restoration Analysis on the South Slope of the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Northeast Libya

This study was conducted on the south slope of the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (the Green Mountain) rangelands, northeast Libya to investigate changes in perennial plant species richness, landscape function and soil surface condition in order to determine whether exclosures are effected strategy for the improvement and rehabilitation of rangeland ecosystem at the regional level. Four study sites are positioned along a strong north-south rainfall gradient. A total of 28 monitoring sites were reinstalled and assessed between May and December 2014, the sites were then initially installed and assessed between the period of May and December 2006. The monitoring site layout is based on the Western Australia Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS). The response variables measured were those included in the protocols of Landscape Function Analysis technique (LFA). Based on the results, LFA indices were in the low and medium scales in all of the monitoring sites within the exclosures. Notably, it is considered a good comparison tool for what it is currently occurring at the target grazing areas. No changes in perennial plant species richness amid the study areas, with the exception of the Thahar Altair area (TT). Overall, in estimation, at least 10 years of protection from grazing is required in the highest rainfall area (Maduar Zetun), and a considerably longer period in the lower rainfall areas to the south before vegetation cover and soil surface conditions recover sufficiently to be re-exposed to grazing. Consequently, grazing should be controlled to conserve national forage resources.