干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Due to the lack of forage and poor condition in arid rangelands, investigation of soil properties is essential and very important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare wildlife, livestock and alternative grazing effects on physicochemical characteristics of the soil in arid rangelands of Kalmand-Bahadoran in Yazd province. Soil samples were taken in each plot (0-30 cm) and in each site by random systematic method. The results showed that the highest amount of silt and bulk density belonged to livestock grazing site (p<0.01). Statistical analysis indicated that calcium carbonate percentage in livestock grazing site (18.33%) was higher than it was in wildlife+livestock (14.85%) and deer (12.57%) grazing sites (p< 0.01),respectively. Acidity and electrical conductivity levels in livestock and wildlife+livestock grazing areas were significantly higher than that was in deer grazing site (p<0.01). Wildlife+livestock grazing area had more organic matters content (0.28%) compared to other areas (p<0.01). P and K parameters were in the order of livestock > wildlife+livestock > wildlife grazing sites. So that the amount of phosphorus was 79, 71 and 62 and potassium was 101, 87 and 77 in terms of livestock, wildlife+livestock and wildlife grazing sites, respectively. Nitrogen was the highest in alternative grazing area (0.08%), wildlife grazing site was in the second level (0.06%), and the least amount of Nitrogen was related to livestock grazing region (0.03%) (p<0.01). It can be inferred that there is no negative effects by deer and wildlife+livestock grazing. Proper management strategies should be performed as a tool to reduce some negative impacts.