Effect of Enclosure on Soil Restoration, Plant Richness and Diversity of Taftan Rangelands

The study was conducted to investigate effects of enclosure on restoration of vegetation cover and soil properties in the rangelands of Taftan. Therefore, three enclosure areas (Neron, Koteh, Naroon) were selected. Next to every enclosure site, a site was selected as controlled ones. Vegetation sampling was done with plots of 8m2 (regarding vegetation cover of the area) and soil sampling was taken from depth of 0-30 cm. Vegetation (production, vegetation cover, density, richness, diversity) and soil data (soil texture, pH, EC, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, CaCO3, Mg, Na) were analyzed using analysis of variance in completely randomized design. In total, 14 species from 8 families and 11 genera were observed. Koteh enclosure area exhibited the highest numbers of plant species, of which approximately 90% were perennials with high conservative value. Rangeland enclosure exhibited the highest vegetation cover, plant production, plant density of class II and III. The maximum and minimum values of production, vegetation cover were related to Neron enclosure area and the Neron control treatment. The highest and lowest species richness and diversity were measured in Naroon and Koteh enclosures. Results of soil parameters showed that the amounts of phosphorus, potassium and calcium carbonate in Naroon enclosure and also concentration of potassium in Neroon showed significant increase in comparison to control areas. Analysis of variance showed the highest organic carbon, nitrogen, and potassium in Naroon enclosures. The lowest nitrogen was measured in Naroon, Koteh and related controls. Neron control treatment had the least value of potassium. In total, results of study showed that rangeland enclosure had positive effect on vegetation cover and soil specification in the rangelands of Taftan region.