Studying the Effect of Exclosure and Pit-Seeding on Composition, Diversity and Nutrient of Rangeland Plants (Case study: Darani Olya Rangelands, Tuyserkan City, Hamedan Province)

Shokrkhoda, Fatemeh; Akhzari, Davoud

[Home ] [Archive]

[ فارسی ]

Main Menu

Home

Journal Information

Articles archive

For Authors

For Reviewers

Registration

Contact us

Site Facilities

Search in website

Receive site information

Volume 13, Issue 26 (9-2025)

PEC 2025, 13(26): 154-168

Back to browse issues page

Studying the Effect of Exclosure and Pit-Seeding on Composition, Diversity and Nutrient of Rangeland Plants (Case study: Darani Olya Rangelands, Tuyserkan City, Hamedan Province)

Fatemeh Shokrkhoda¹

, Davoud Akhzari ^*

1- Department of Nature Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
Department of Nature Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran & Department of Nature Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran, Department of Nature Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran , d_akhzari@yahoo.com

Abstract: (1025 Views)

Livestock grazing is known as one of the most important environmental disturbances in rangelands, often leading to destructive effects within this ecosystem. Exclosure and pit-seeding are among the most effective management strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of grazing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exclosure and pit-seeding on the composition, diversity, and nutrient content of vegetation cover in the mountainous rangelands of Darani Olya, Tuyserkan County. Sampling was conducted using a systematic-random method in a 5-hectare area where pit-seeding with seeds of Galbanum (Ferula gummosa), Sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa), and Tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum) had been implemented since 2014, and the area had been fenced. Ten 100-meter transects spaced 50 meters apart were established, and 10 one-square-meter plots were determined along each transect. Plant samples (both underground and aerial parts) were collected in both grazing and exclosure areas. The quantities of total protein, phenol, and nutrients in plant tissues were measured. Simpson uniformity index, Margalef and Menhinick richness indices and Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices were also performed using principal component analysis (PCA) in PC-ORD software. All samples were analyzed using a non-paired t-test at the 5% significance level. The results revealed significant differences in the amounts of phosphorus, total protein, and phenol between the exclosure zone (4.2, 6.4, and 0.69, respectively) and the heaping zone (8.4, 5.3, and 0.65, respectively) at the 5% level compared to the grazed area. However, the nutrient content in the grazing area was significantly higher than in the exclosure and mulching areas. Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices indicated higher diversity in the exclosure area (1.58 and 0.93, respectively) compared to the grazing area (1.21 and 0.82, respectively). Margalef and Menhinick richness indices were also significantly higher in the exclosure and mounding areas (2.43 and 1.85, respectively) compared to the grazing area (1.63 and 1.65, respectively). However, the Simpson index did not show significant differences between the two regions at the 5% level. Vegetation in the exclosure area was predominantly composed of native (indigenous) species that were generally palatable. An optimal combination of exclosure and pit-seeding can enhance vegetation cover and increase biodiversity in rangelands, thereby contributing to the sustainability and productivity of these ecosystems.

Article number: 11

Keywords: Diversity indices, Plant nutrients, Plant protein

Full-Text [PDF 1736 kb] (469 Downloads)

Type of Study: Applicable | Subject: Special
Received: 2024/11/3 | Accepted: 2025/03/29 | Published: 2025/09/16

References

1. Al-Seekh, S.H., Mohammad, G.A., Amro, Y. 2009. Effect of grazing on soil properties at southern part of west bank rangeland. Hebron University Research Journal, 4(1): 35-53.

2. Costa, C., Papatheodorou, E.M., Monokrousos, N., Stamou, G.P. 2015. Spatial variability of soil organic C, inorganic N and extractable P in a Mediterranean grazed area. Land Degradation & Development, 26: 103–109.

3. Dormaar, J.F., Willms, W.D. 1998. Effect of forty-four years of grazing on fescue grassland soils. Range manage, 51: 122-126.

4. Freitag, M., Hölzel, N., Neuenkamp, L., van der Plas, F., Manning, P., Abrahão, A., Bergmann, J., Boeddinghaus, R., Bolliger, R., Hamer, U., Kandeler, E., Kleinebecker, T., Knorr, K. H., Marhan, S., Neyret, M., Prati, D., Le Provost, G., Saiz, H., van Kleunen, M., Klaus, V. H. 2023. Increasing plant species richness by seeding has marginal effects on ecosystem functioning in agricultural grasslands. Journal of Ecology. 111(9): 1968–1984.

5. Harrington, G.N., Wilson, A.D., Young, M.D. 1984. Management of Australia's rangeland. CSIRO, 354.

6. Harris, J., Van Diggelen, R. 2005. Ecological restoration as a project for global society. In: Van Andel, J., Aronson, J. (Eds.), Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier. Blackwell Publishing, pp. 3–15.

7. Heydari, M., Faramarzi, M., Pothier, D. 2016. Post-fire recovery of herbaceous species composition and diversity, and soil quality indicators one year after wildfire in a semi-arid oak woodland. Ecological Engineering. 94: 688-697.

8. Hou, X., Wang, Z., Michael, S.P., Ji, L., Yun, X. 2014. The response of grassland productivity, soil carbon content and soil respiration rates to different grazing regimes in a desert steppe in northern China. The Rangeland Journal. 36(6): 573-582.

9. Hui, D., Jackson, R.B. 2005. Geographic and interannual variability in biomass partitioning in grassland ecosystems: A Synthesis of Field data. New Phytologist, 169:85-93.

10. Hu, Z., Li, S., Guo, Q., Niu, S., He, N., Li, L., Yu, G. 2016. A synthesis of the effect of grazing exclusion on carbon dynamics in grasslands in China. Global Change Biology. 22(4): 1385-1393.

11. Kakinuma, K., Terui, A., Sasaki, T., Koyama, A., Jamsran, U., Okuro, T., Takeuchi, K. 2017. Detection of vegetation trends in highly variable environments after grazing exclusion in Mongolia. Journal of Vegetation Science. 28(5): 965-974.

12. Kebenei, M. C., Mucheru-Muna, M., Muriu-Ng’ang’a, F. 2023. Zai pit combined with integrated nutrient management for improving soil aggregate stability, moisture content and microbial biomass in drylands of Eastern Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 19(9): 904-922.

13. Karp, H., Ekholm, P., Kemi, V., Itkonen, S., Hirvonen, T., Närkki, S., Lamberg-Allardt, C. 2012. Differences among total and in vitro digestible phosphorus content of plant foods and beverages. Journal of Renal Nutrition. 22(4):416–22.

14. Kruger, N. J. 2009. "The Bradford method for protein quantitation." In: The Protein Protocols Handbook, walker J. M. (ed), Springer, Singapore, 17-24.

15. Kumbasli, M., Makineci, E., Cakir, M. 2010. Long term effects of red deer (Cervus elaphus) grazing on soil in a breeding area. Environmental Biology, 31:185-188.

16. Li, W., Huang, H.Z., Zhang, Z.N., Wu, G.L. 2011. Effects of Grazing on the Soil Properties and C and N Storage in Relation to Allocation in an Alpine Meadow. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 11(4):27-39.

17. Liebig, M.A., Gross, J.R., Kronberg, S.L., Hanson, J.D., Frank A.B. Phillips, R.L. 2006. Soil response to long-term grazing in the northern Great Plains of North America. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment , 1(4): 270-276.

18. López-Mársico, L., Altesor, A., Oyarzabal, M., Baldassini, P., Paruelo, J.M. 2015. Grazing increases below-ground biomass and net primary production in a temperate grassland. Plant and Soil. 392(1-2): 155-162.

19. McNaughton, S.J., Banyikwa, F.F., McNaughton, M.M. 1997. Promotion of the Cycling of Diet Enhancing Nutrients by African Grazers. Science, 278:1798-1800.

20. Reeder, J.D., Schuman, G.E., Morgan, J.A., Lecain, D.R. 2004. Response of Organic and Inorganic Carbon and Nitrogen to Long-term Grazing of the Shortgrass Steppe. Environmental Management, 33:458-495.

21. Riginos, C., Hoffman, M.T. 2003. Changes in population biology of two succulent shrubs along a grazing gradient. Applied Ecology, 40: 615-625.

22. Sekabira, K., Oryem-Origa, H., Mutumba, G., Kakudidi, E. Basamba, T.A. 2011. Heavy metal phytoremediation by Commelina bengalensis (L) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) growing in urban sediments. International Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry. 3(8): 133-142.

23. Serunkuuma, D., Runge, C.F. 1998. Rangeland degradation in Uganda: the failures and future of privetization. Center for International Food and Agriculture. 98: 22-28.

24. Shannon C.E., Wiener W. 1949. The Mathematical Theory of Communication. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 350 p.

25. Stewart, A., Frank, D. 2008. Short sampling intervals reveal very rapid root turnover in temperate grassland. Oecologia, 157:453-458.

26. Strahan, R.T., Laughlin, D. C., Bakker, J. D., Moore, M. M. 2015. Long-term Protection from Heavy Livestock Grazing Affects Ponderosa Pine Understory Composition and Functional Traits. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 68 (3): 257-265.

27. Teaguea, W.R., Dowhowera, S.L., Bakera, S.A., Haileb, N., DeLaunea, P.B. Conovera, D.M. 2011. Grazing management impacts on vegetation, soil biota and soil chemical, physical and hydrological properties in tall grass prairie. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 141:310–322.

28. Warren, S.D., Thurow, T.L., Blackburn, W.H., Garza, N.E. 1986. The influence of livestock trampling under intensive rotation grzing on soil hydrologic characteristics. Range Management, 39: 491-495.

29. Wu, K., Xu, W., Yang, W. 2020. Short‐term grazing exclusion does not effectively restore degraded rangeland in the Junggar desert of Xinjiang, China. Grassland Science. 67 (2): 118-127.

30. Xu, L., Nie, Y., Chen, B., Xin, X., Yang, G., Xu, D., Ye, L. 2020. Effects of fence enclosure on vegetation community characteristics and productivity of a degraded temperate meadow steppe in northern China. Applied Sciences. 10(8): 2952.

31. Yong-Zhong, S., Yu-Lin, C., Jian-Yuan, L., Wen-Zhi, Z., 2005. Influences of continuous grazing and livestock exclusion on soil properties in a degraded sandy grassland, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Catena, 59: 267–278.

Send email to the article author

Add your comments about this article

Mendeley

Zotero

RefWorks

Shokrkhoda F, Akhzari D. Studying the Effect of Exclosure and Pit-Seeding on Composition, Diversity and Nutrient of Rangeland Plants (Case study: Darani Olya Rangelands, Tuyserkan City, Hamedan Province). PEC 2025; 13 (26) : 11
URL: http://pec.gonbad.ac.ir/article-1-1001-en.html

Rights and permissions
	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Volume 13, Issue 26 (9-2025)

Back to browse issues page

Persian site map - English site map - Created in 0.07 seconds with 35 queries by YEKTAWEB 4735