Effects of Contour Furrow on Ecological Indices of Range Health Using Landscape Function Analysis (Case study: Ghick Sheikha Rangeland, Jiroft, Iran)

Abstract

Restoration practices have important impact on soil surface and functional characteristic of rangelands. So, for the sustainable utilization of the rangelands, these changes should be recognized and managed. The present study was conducted to recognize the effects of contour furrow on ecological indices of rangeland health in Ghick Sheikha contour furrow (Jiroft) using landscape function analysis. A free contour furrow (as control) was also selected to compare the effects of contour furrow on soil factors and vegetation cover. In this method, 11 soil parameters were assessed to recognize three functional properties, including stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling (using analysis of landscape function software) and, paired t-test was used to compare the performance indicators in the control and contour furrow. However the number of patches was more in the control treatment, the results showed that in the contour furrow area, the length of ecological components (patches) was more than in the control treatment. Three health indicators in the contour furrow were more than in the control treatment and there was a significant difference between two areas (p‹ 0.05). In addition, regression model analyses between two areas suggested that the parameters of litter movement, soil surface resistance to erosion, soil surface roughness, and erosion in contour furrow and soil surface roughness, litter cover and soil surface resistance to erosion in the control area had respectively the biggest share among the rangeland health indicators. Generally, the present study suggested effectiveness of contour furrow compared to the control.