Suitability Assessment of Mountain Rangelands in the Marghevar Region of Urmia for Dual-Purpose Grazing and Medicinal Plant Exploitation

The multi-purpose utilization of rangelands is a challenge that can alleviate grazing pressure, enhance rangeland well-being and empowerment, and preserve rangeland ecosystems. This research aimed to assess the suitability of mountain rangelands in the Marghevar region of Urmia for dual-purpose grazing and the exploitation of medicinal plants.

During the growing season of 2018-2019, vegetation data were collected in 60 plots of two square meters, spaced 10 meters apart along six 100-meter transects. Ecological indicators, including crown cover percentage, species density, forage production by grazed species, and medicinal plant organs used, were measured. Economic indicators, such as economic rent and expected value per hectare, were evaluated for both medicinal plants and forage. Social indicators, including marketability desirability and willingness to harvest medicinal plants, were extracted from questionnaire studies. Physical characteristics of the plant types (PTS) and soil erosion information from previous studies were also considered. Suitability classes (S1, S2, S3, N) for livestock grazing (sheep) and medicinal plant utilization were determined based on the total points of each indicator using the guidelines provided in the Manual of Suitability for Sheep Grazing (MSSG) and Manual of Suitability for Medicinal Plants (MSMP). The priority of dual-purpose use of rangelands was determined by comparing the merit classes of PTS for livestock grazing and medicinal plant utilization.

The results revealed that the crown cover percentage of medicinal plants in the composition of each PTS ranged from 5% to 40%. The share of medicinal plants in the habitat's plant composition ranged from 20% to 62%. The composition of medicinal plants and grazed species varied from 3% to 30%. Forage production by grazed species ranged from 65 to 850 kg/ha, while medicinal plant production ranged from 4 to 159 kg/ha during one growing season. The suitability assessment indicated that 77% of the rangeland area in the region had high suitability for dual-purpose use, 10.7% had moderate suitability, 0.9% had low suitability, and 3.3% were unsuitable based on ecological, environmental, economic, and social indicators. The presence and production capacity of medicinal plants were identified as limiting factors for the ability of PTS to exploit medicinal plants.

Not all PTS are suitable for the utilization of medicinal plants, emphasizing the need for preserving genetic reserves. The policy regarding medicinal plants should consider this aspect and prioritize multi-purpose rangeland plans.