Effects of Rangeland Restoration (Contour Furrows, and Mortar Stone Dam) on Soil Fertilization (Case Study: Silvana Region, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran)

-

The overgrazing and excessive utilization of rangelands has caused vegetationand soil degradation in many rangelands. In the rangeland management, the soil andvegetation elements, environmental factors and livestock should be considered as decisionmaking agents. Various methods are applicable for the rangeland restoration as contourfurrows and mortar stone dam. In order to evaluate the effects of restoration treatment onsoil fertility parameters, this research was carried out in Rangelands of Silvana region,West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Soil samples were taken based on a random method usingsix 100-m long transects in both treated and control sites. Soil samples were taken from thebeginning, middle and end of each transect in both 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm depths. Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) contents of soil samples were determined usingKjeldal, P-Olsen and flame photometer method, respectively. Differences between meansof soil properties in the restoration and control treatments were compared by applying onewayANOVA and SNK (P<0.05) test using SPSS18 software. The results showedsignificant differences between restoration and control for soil properties. N, P and Kcontents in mortar stone dam treatment in both depth soils were increased as compared tocontour furrows and control. According to the results, there are significant differencesamong P, N and K concentrations in both mortar stone dam and contour furrow treatmentsbetween upper and lower soil layers. But, amount of K in the upper soil layer of contourfurrow and mortar stone dam treatments was less than lower layer. It was concluded thatthe constriction of mortar stone dam in the studied area had led to positive impacts on soilfertilization. Overall, the results show that in Silvana region, rangeland improving ispossible through applying the mechanical operation of mortar stone dam.