Study of preference value of Til Abad range plants in Golestan province

This research was aimed to study the preference value of range species in Til Abad rangelands. To determine the preference value, timing method as well as measuring the production and consumption of species was used. According to the results of analysis of variance, significant differences were found for the study species in timing method, so that maximum consumption time was recorded for Artemisia sieberi, Poa bulbosa and annual species, respectively. The results of species utilization percentage also showed that there were significant differences among the study species. The highest consumption rate was recorded for Poa bulbosa and annual species. Artemisia sieberi, Festuca ovina and Stipa barbata had an average preference value; however, Poa bulbosa and annual species were relatively palatable. Our results clearly showed that species density and abundance and access to forage species strongly affected the preference value. Generally, in bothe methods studied, Artemisia sieberi, Poa bulbosa and annual species were more grazed as compared to other species.