Investigation on Soil and Vegetation Characteristics in relation to Distance from Critical Areas in the Central Alborz’s Grasslands (Iran)

The continuous heavy livestock grazing may cause excessive destruction of rangeland ecosystems. Thus, monitoring of qualitative and quantitative changes on the soil and vegetation characteristics is essential in these sites in order to to improve rangeland management practices. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high livestock density on vegetation cover and soil properties in central Alborz’s grasslands in Iran. Grazing gradient method (systematic changes in vegetation cover with distance from stock ponds and around villages as two of critical areas) has been used to determine the characteristics of soil and vegetation.. Factors such as vegetation cover, litter, plant diversity, bare soil, rock and gravel were measured. The results showed that vegetation cover was significantly correlated with distance from the village but not with the distance from the watering pointss. Litter and plant diversity was significantly correlated with the distance from critical points noticeably so that these factors had higher values at longer distances. Although, the grit was not significantly correlated with any critical area, it increased at longer distances from villages. Regarding that, in order to improve ranges condition (with emphasis on critical areas) proper management should be practiced including change of grazing pattern and bed ground livestock in Iran’s grasslands.