The relationship between the support services and extension and participation of ranchers in rangeland restoration (Case study: Baladeh rangelands, north of Iran)

Nowadays it is very important in watershed management to consider the participation of people particularly ranchers in rangeland restoration. It seems that for greater participation of ranchers in vegetation restoration it is necessary to consider people needs, provide inputs and financial supports, education and extension, and control, monitoring, and supervising of projects. The aim of this study is to assess the role of support services and extension on the participation of ranchers in rangeland restoration projects in mountain rangelands of Baladeh in Mazandaran. Statistical population includes 102 ranches, of them 72 ranches were sampled where rangeland restoration projects were performed at least for three years. Each ranch is a defined area of rangeland used by a number of ranchers for raising livestock. The sampling was done using questionnaire in random-stratified method. Result of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between ranchers` participation and support services and extension of ranchers in rangeland restoration, soil and water conservation. Also we found that as the number of ranchers increased in each ranch there was a decrease in support services such as inputs, financial supports, education, and extension. There was not a significant relationship between the number of ranchers in each ranch and the control and monitoring services. Finally the result of this study showed that in many ranches the support services and extension are not enough to support the success of rangeland restoration projects.