Causal analysis of components affecting rangeland management from the perspective of experts (Case study: Junkels and rangelands of Kermanshah province)

Several factors contribute to negative changes in the quality and quantity of pastures, leading to soil and vegetation degradation, reduced farmers' income, destructive floods, migration of villagers and nomads to urban areas, and rural poverty. One significant factor among these is rangeland management. Recognizing the importance of effective rangeland management, this research aims to analyze the factors influencing rangeland management in Kermanshah province.

This study adopts a descriptive-analytical research approach. The statistical population comprises managers and experts from the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kermanshah province. A sample of 31 individuals was randomly selected, and questionnaires were administered to them. Ultimately, 28 completed questionnaires were returned. The data collection tool was a questionnaire designed based on field research and individual interviews with experts and managers of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kermanshah province. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first part collected personal characteristics of respondents, including gender, age, education level, occupation, number of households, and income. The second part focused on pasture management and utilized a five-level Likert scale. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis. The questionnaire's formal and content validity were confirmed through the input of professors from Razi University of Kermanshah and subject matter experts, with necessary revisions made in multiple stages. Reliability of the measurement tool was assessed using Cronbach's alpha method.

The results revealed that among the five factors affecting pasture management, rules and regulations explained the highest proportion of variation, while man-made problems contributed the least. The average variance extracted (AVE) for the planning index was 0.766, man-made problems index was 0.711, rules and regulations index was 0.799, individual skill index was 0.526, and monitoring index was 0.626, indicating convergent validity. The combined reliability (CR) coefficient for the planning index was 0.755, man-made problems index was 0.737, rules and regulations index was 0.802, individual skill index was 0.514, and monitoring index was 0.526, indicating adequate reliability. Indirect effects on rangeland management were found to be most significant for multi-level program goals, inappropriate exploitation practices by farmers, unprincipled and unscientific agricultural methods, improper plowing techniques, inadequate mechanization, lack of deterrence and implementation guarantees in rangeland evaluation laws, and insufficient comprehensive management supervision throughout the cycle. Conversely, variables such as managers' low acceptance of planning and people's lack of knowledge and awareness regarding proper pasture use had the least impact.

The results highlight the importance of planning indicators (0.30), man-made problems (0.18), rules and regulations (0.66), individual skill (0.46), and supervision (0.22) in explaining factor loadings. Effective policies and management measures need to be designed to steer pasture conditions towards improvement. Achieving this objective requires a deep understanding of how managers make decisions, plan, and implement strategies.