Investigation on water infiltration of different vegetation types in saline and alkali rangelands of Inchehbroon, Golestan province

The amount of water infiltration into the soil depends on many factors such as soil texture, soil structure, initial moisture content, soil bulk density, canopy cover, plant age, organic matter and the plant succession stages. Livestock trampling and reduction of the vegetation cover due to the overgrazing are considered as the most important factors affecting the amount of infiltration in rangelands. Winter rangelands of inchehbroon with dominant species of Halocnemum strobilaceum are introduced as the halophyte rangelands in Golestan province. Distribution pattern of plant species in these rangelands is spots surrounded by bare soil in the form of islands. In this study, heavy grazing area was determined and for measuring water infiltration into the soil, paired rings (dublering) were used. Parameters of infiltration intensity, final infiltration, cumulative infiltration and infiltration time were investigated in vegetation types of Halocnemum strobilaceum, Aeluropus lagopoides and bare soil. The results of the data analysis showed that there were no significant differences in infiltration intensity and infiltration time among Halocnemum strobilaceum, Aeluropus lagopoides and bare soil while final infiltration and cumulative infiltration significantly differed.