The effect of water spreading system on the functionality of rangeland ecosystems

作     者：Mohammad Rahim FOROUZEH Mohsen SHARAFATMANDRAD Mohammad Rahim FOROUZEH;Mohsen SHARAFATMANDRAD

作者机构：PhD Student of Rangeland Science Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Gorgan 49138-15739 Iran 

出 版 物：《Journal of Arid Land》 (干旱区科学（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2012年第4卷第3期

页      面：292-299页

核心收录：

学科分类：0909[农学-草学] 081504[工学-水利水电工程] 0709[理学-地质学] 08[工学] 09[农学] 0710[理学-生物学] 0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 090503[农学-草业科学] 0905[农学-畜牧学] 0708[理学-地球物理学] 0815[工学-水利工程] 0705[理学-地理学] 0903[农学-农业资源与环境] 

主　　题：ecological patch landscape function analysis water spreading arid lands 

摘      要：In recent decades, the control of floods is an efficient management practice for the rehabilitation of rangelands in most arid and semiarid areas. To evaluate the benefits, we used the Landscape Function Analysis （LFA） method to assess the function of patches and qualitative capability of a rangeland ecosystem in Gareh By- gone region, Fars province, southwestern Iran. Landscape functionality depends on soil, water and nutrient （col- lectively called ＂resources＂） conservation and use within a given ecosystem. Many landscapes are naturally het- erogeneous in terms of resource control and possess patches, where resources tend to accumulate, and in- ter-patches. Assessing rangeland health and function of landscape patches in response to environment and man- agement can give rise to correct management decisions for qualitative improvement of the ecosystem. Therefore, our study area was divided into two parts, i.e. water spreading and control parts, and sampling was done using LFA method in each part separately. Structural parameters, including the number, length and width of patches, and the mean length of inter-patches, were determined by the method to characterize the functional status of the monitoring sites. For each patch/inter-patch type identified in the transect organization log, we recorded its soil surface proper- ties classified according to the Soil Surface Assessment Method. The density, canopy cover and composition of plants were then assessed. The results showed that the number of ecological patches and their dimensions were significantly increased in the water spreading site. Soil stability and the values of nutrient cycling indices were in- creased but the infiltration values were decreased in the water spreading site. It could be related to the effect of suspended materials transported by floods to the soils in the study area. The improvement of ecological patches and rangeland ecosystem was achieved where water spreading systems were practiced. Theref