Evaluation of Rainwater Harvesting Methods and Its Effect on Vegetation and Soil Characteristics (Case Study: Bolbol Rangelands, Ashkzar, Yazd Province, Iran)

In order to investigate the effect of contour furrow on the vegetation and soil characteristics, a study was conducted at Bolbol rangelands, Ashkazar, Yazd Province, Iran in 2020. The implementation of contour furrow was done previously at the rangeland in the area of 100 ha in 2006. Data were collected at both contour furrow site and outside it (control site). At each site, four transects (300m) were established at the distance of 100m from each other. Along each transect, 15 plots (2m2) were established at a distance of 12m from each other. At each plot, the vegetation characteristics (vegetation percent, richness and diversity of species, Artemisia sieberi canopy cover) and soil characteristics (soil permeability, soil moisture and carbon stabilization) were measured. The obtained data of sites were compared using independent T test. According to the results, the vegetation percent and canopy cover of Artemisia sieberi increased by 29.5% and 47.7% than that for control, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). The effect of contour furrow on species diversity index was significant (p ≤ 0.05) and the diversity index was increased by 23% than that for control. The soil moisture was compared in both sites in May, August and November. Result showed that soil moisture increased by 66.4% (p ≤ 0.01) in May. An increase of 12.5% of carbon storage was observed in the soil at the contour furrow site as compared to the control site (p ≤ 0.01). It was concluded that the implementation of contour furrow coupled with planting of Artemisia sieberi was successful in combating desertification in this research area.