The effect of rainwater harvesting systems in increasing vegetation cover (Case study: Khajeh research station, East Azerbaijan province)

During the last few decades, the ecosystem of natural areas has suffered as a result of improper exploitation of water and soil resources. To revive and develop renewable natural resources, it seems important to analyze and optimize rainfall storage systems and provide integrated techniques. Rainwater harvesting, in conjunction with plant species cultivation, is critical in the restoration and improvement of rangeland, particularly in dry areas. The present research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of rainwater harvesting methods (contour furrow and microcatchment) on increasing the percentage of vegetation cover in the Khajeh research station in East Azerbaijan province. To accomplish this, two methods of rainwater harvesting system, contour furrow and microcatchment, were established in the form of a randomized complete block design with three repetitions, in a land with a slope of 2-6%. After preparing the plots, Agropyron elongtum was planted in the form of seeding. Vegetation cover percentage was measured from the second year of planting for three years. A linear transect was used to determine vegetation cover percentage. The results showed that the microcatchment treatment significantly increased vegetation cover compared to the control. So that with the construction of the microcatchment, the vegetation cover increased about 183% (three times) compared to the control. In the case of contour furrow treatment, an increase of about 53% was observed compared to the control treatment. The microcatchment method performed better than the contour furrow, so that it increased the vegetation cover by about 85%. Therefore it seems the microcatchment is the best rainwater harvesting system in terms of increasing vegetation cover in the study area.