The impacts of Atriplex plantation from the viewpoint of stockholders

Atriplex spp. (Atriplex canescens, A. lentiformis and A. halimus) plantation has been extensively used in order to reclaim rangeland in Iran in the past decades. However, the impacts of this technique has been a controversial issue and due to its increasing adoption, it is important to investigate its impacts in reclamation of degraded rangelands. The aim of this study was to investigate the viewpoints of stockholders in two winter rangelands in Golestan Province. First, the investigation factors were determined and then, using content analysis method, a questionnaire containing quintuple Likert, nominal and ordinal scale items as well as some open items was prepared and completed by stockholders. The number of samples was determined by Cochran formula. Data were analyzed through SPSS using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney test. The results revealed that the rangelands, livestock and forage production of Atriplex spp. play important roles in the life and livelihood of stockholders of both studied areas. Considering all investigated items, in majority of cases the desirable effects of Atriplex spp. plantation was dominant in the viewpoints of Ghareh-Doung stockholders. The results indicated that despite some differences, the stockholders are satisfied with Atriplex spp. plantation in the two studied areas. More investigation on the effects of Atriplex spp. on the dairy and meat production was proposed.