Determining Stuitable Method for Measuring Utilization Level in <i>Artemisia</i> Stands

Artemisia is the major component of the vegetation of a large portion of arid lands in Iran. Determining the utilization rate is an essential element in the management of these rangelands. Methods of determining the utilization regime for woody plants and shrubs include clipping and weighing, reference unit, ocular estimate, twig length, branch diameter and production index. These methods were used in Chahlor winter range in Jarghoyeh, 250 Km southeast of Isfahan. Clipping and weighing is the most accurate although the most time-consuming method. In this research, means of utilization percentages obtained from the above methods were compared with the mean obtained from the clipping and weighing method using T-test. Data obtained from reference unit, twig length, and branch diameter methods were not significantly different from those of clipping and weighing method (P>0.0l). Since reference unit was the least time-consuming among these methods, it was selected as a proper method of utilization measurement of Artemisia stands.