Study on Cover , Density , Species Composition and Forage Production in Grazed vs. Non-Grazed Range Sites in Central Zagross

Short-term changes (5 years) in canopy cover, species composition and forage production were studied under protection from grazing and grazed condition in 19 range sites in Fereydan region, Isfahan province. In this study, density, canopy cover and forage production data were obtained from quadrates inside and outside exclosures in the spring of 1983. These parameters were studied again in 1988 and compared with the previous data. Results indicated that species diversity in these range sites was relatively high up to 212 plant species were identified. Sixteen, 8.5 and 75.5 percent of these species were classified into I, II and III palatability classes respectively. After five years, comparison of inside and outside exclosures indicated an increase in the density of species of I, II and III palatability classes by 138.8, 120.8 and 51.5 percent inside exclosures, respectively. Density of all species had increased by 62 percent as a result of 5-year protection from grazing. Species composition data as canopy cover were used to construct 3 dendrograms to investigate the similarity among range Sites. Assuming 32% similarity as the threshold level, 19 range sites were classified into 10 vegetation types in 1983. After 5 years, these vegetation types decreased to 8 and increased to 11 under protection from grazing and grazed conditions, respectively. The average forage production inside exclosures was almost twice as much as in grazed sites (600 Vs. 315 kg/h). Three groups of range sites were recognized according to the time requirement for rehabilitation by grazing protection. The first group was improved considerably by the end of the 5-year protection Period. The second group improved relatively within five years of grazing exclusion. The third group did not improve by 5-year grazing protection and needed much longer protection period or some other range rehabilitation practices.