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چکیده
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Much of the rangeland of Shahriar in Iran is degraded and will require considerable improvement and reclamation to achieve a desirable state. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing exclusion on vegetation and soil properties in Shahriar rangelands. Sampling in both grazing exclosure and control areas was conducted using a systematic randomized method. Six 100 meters long transects were randomly located in each area and along each transect ten 1 × 1 m sampling plots were located. Within each plot, species presence, canopy cover, species yield and plant density were measured. Soil cores were taken in the center of each vegetation sampling plot at 0-30cm and 30-60 cm depths. Organic matter, nitrogen content, the amount of phosphorus, potassium, EC, pH, the percentage of CaCO3, and soil texture were determined for each sample. Results indicate differences in canopy cover percent, species composition percent, yield and plant density in highly palatable and palatable classes between the exclusion and the control site. All growth forms at the exclusion site differed from those at the control site. Perennial grasses, perennial forbs and annual forbs at the exclusion site were higher than in the control site, and annual grasses and shrubs at the control site were greater than at the exclusion site. Soil property parameters at the exclosure site were greater than at the control site for EC, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Exclusion of grazing from rangeland in this region improved the vegetation and soil
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