Investigating the effect of grazing on the potential of pollination services in Malah Shoreh and Gorgo rangelands of Boyer-Ahmad city

Knowing the potential of ecosystems in providing services is essential for designing management programs. Therefore, a study was done to investigate the impact of livestock grazing on ecosystem service pollination in Malah Shoreh and Gorgo rangelands in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. For this purpose, 100 quadrats were planted in the grazing area and the percentage of canopy cover of the species in the plots was estimated. Plant species attractiveness for honeybees were determined as an indicator of ecosystem's potential in providing ecosystem service pollination. The results showed that grazing had caused a significant decrease in the abundance of species with high and medium attractiveness for honeybees (p <0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there is a positive correlation between plant species life’ forb and high and medium attractiveness for honeybees (p <0.05). Among the studied vegetative forms, perennial grasses and shrubs, which are less important in providing pollination function than perennial and annual forbes, have been severely reduced in the grazing area. In general, livestock grazing has reduced ecosystem service pollination in the study area. Given the importance of ecosystem service pollination in the sustainability of natural ecosystems, it is crucial to pay attention to the conservation of plant species with high attractiveness for pollinators in grazing management.