Models for estimating range production by cover measurement

Importance of production information in range management has caused researchers be seeking to find suitable methods for yield estimation. As clipping and weighing method has been recognized as a time consuming, high cost and destructive method, researches have been conducted on indirect methods. Estimating yield from cover data can be considered as an important method. In the present study, relationship between cover and yield was determined at first. Then investigation was done to find how cover data can be used to estimate production using a double sampling procedure or pooled equation. Research was carried out in two rangelands of Manuka (a semi-arid rangeland) and Conservation (as an arid area). Double sampling was formed by clipping and weighing method as direct sampling and foliage or canopy cover measurement as indirect sampling for each group of species. The number of paired of direct and indirect sampling based on time consumption and accuracy were 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40. SPSS was used for data analysis. Data were collected during 2 or 3 years in different seasonal conditions of fair, poor and good. The results showed the possibility of estimating range production from cover measurement using equation based 8 to 12 paired direct and indirect sampling. Correlation between cover and yield was higher for all collected data in both rangelands of Manuka and Conservation. According to the results, cover data can be used in both models of double sampling or pooled equation for accurate yield estimation.