Volume 12, Issue 3 (2024)
ECOPERSIA 2024, 12(3): 307-316 |
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Moshki A, Nouri E, Matinizadeh M. Soil Bio-physicochemical Properties Changes in Response to Grazing Intensity and Seasonal Variations in an Arid Rangeland Ecosystem of Iran. ECOPERSIA 2024; 12 (3) :307-316
URL: http://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article-24-76203-en.html
URL: http://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article-24-76203-en.html
1- Ph.D., Department of Afforestation in Arid Lands, Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Iran (Tel:0098-9128310301, Post Address: Faculty of desert studies, Semnan university, Semnan, Iran, E-mail: alireza_moshki@semnan.ac.ir. , alireza_moshki@semnan.ac.ir
2- Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran
3- Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran.
2- Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran
3- Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran.
Abstract: (441 Views)
Aims: This study investigates the response of some soil bio-physicochemical properties under different grazing intensities management in a 17-year-old arid rangeland ecosystem of Iran.
Material & Methods: The grazing intensity gradient was as follows: (1) without herbivore grazing over a whole year (NG), (2) grazing by sheep and goats done communally from November to May (RG), and (3) continuous and heavy grazing over a whole year (HG). The soil samples were collected from the upper 20 cm in November and May.
Findings: The significantly higher bulk density values (P<0.05) were measured with increasing grazing intensities, i.e., 1.65, 1.82, and 1.96 g.cm-3 in NG, RG, and HG, respectively. The management system affected significantly (P<0.05) organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), as well as enzyme activity of acid- and alkaline phosphatase (ACP, ALP) and urease. Similarly, the time of sampling affected significantly (P<0.05) OC, P, C, ACP, ALP, and urease activity in the soil. The soil OC ranged from 0.46 to 2.78 %, K ranged from 51.81 to 92.06 ppm, TN and P showed significantly (P<0.05) higher HG and RG values than NG. The soil pH ranged from 7.89 to 8.32, and EC (electric conductivity) ranged from 0.47 to 0.93 dS.m-1, which was significantly affected neither by the grazing management system nor by sampling time. The TN showed a high positive correlation with ALP (r = 0.89), urease (r = 0.72), and dehydrogenase (r = 0.76). The OC, P, ACP, and ALP responded more sensitively to grazing management systems.
Conclusion: The presence of animals in our study site positively affected soil fertility. However, similar studies are required to complete our knowledge under different climatic conditions, vegetation-grazer types, and grazing duration.
Material & Methods: The grazing intensity gradient was as follows: (1) without herbivore grazing over a whole year (NG), (2) grazing by sheep and goats done communally from November to May (RG), and (3) continuous and heavy grazing over a whole year (HG). The soil samples were collected from the upper 20 cm in November and May.
Findings: The significantly higher bulk density values (P<0.05) were measured with increasing grazing intensities, i.e., 1.65, 1.82, and 1.96 g.cm-3 in NG, RG, and HG, respectively. The management system affected significantly (P<0.05) organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), as well as enzyme activity of acid- and alkaline phosphatase (ACP, ALP) and urease. Similarly, the time of sampling affected significantly (P<0.05) OC, P, C, ACP, ALP, and urease activity in the soil. The soil OC ranged from 0.46 to 2.78 %, K ranged from 51.81 to 92.06 ppm, TN and P showed significantly (P<0.05) higher HG and RG values than NG. The soil pH ranged from 7.89 to 8.32, and EC (electric conductivity) ranged from 0.47 to 0.93 dS.m-1, which was significantly affected neither by the grazing management system nor by sampling time. The TN showed a high positive correlation with ALP (r = 0.89), urease (r = 0.72), and dehydrogenase (r = 0.76). The OC, P, ACP, and ALP responded more sensitively to grazing management systems.
Conclusion: The presence of animals in our study site positively affected soil fertility. However, similar studies are required to complete our knowledge under different climatic conditions, vegetation-grazer types, and grazing duration.
Article Type: Original Research |
Subject:
Soil Conservation and Management
Received: 2024/07/21 | Accepted: 2024/09/14 | Published: 2024/09/30
Received: 2024/07/21 | Accepted: 2024/09/14 | Published: 2024/09/30
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