Iranian Journal of Forest

Iranian Journal of Forest

Assessment of the effect of livestock traffic on the diversity of understory vegetation and soil characteristics in Zagros Forest

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
F Ghasemi Aghbash 1
H Sarami Nezhad 2
I Pazhouhan 1
1 Assistant Prof., Dept. of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, I. R. Iran
2 MSc Candidate of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, I. R. Iran
10.22034/ijf.2023.397435.1928
Abstract
Introduction: The activities of local communities, including animal husbandry, may directly and indirectly cause changes in the qualitative characteristics of the soil. Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of livestock traffic on the diversity of understory vegetation and the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil in a permanent path that has been used for daily livestock transit in Zagros forests (Delfan-Lorestan province).
Materials and Methods: Soil sampling on the road was done based on random systematic sampling. In the middle of the main route, a 1 km transect was chosen, and the first plot (1 m2) was randomly sampled. In each sample plot, three soil profiles were sampled at a depth of 15 cm. Parallel to the investigated route, 10 sample plots with 100-meter intervals were established, and soil samples were collected inside the forest area (at least 100 meters away from the center of the route). To study biodiversity indicators, the list and number of understory vegetation were studied in one square meter sample plots. Soil characteristics such as physical (soil texture and bulk density), chemical (organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, acidity, and electrical conductivity), and biological (earthworms) characteristics were estimated in these plots.
Results: The results showed that the soil texture was the same for both treatments, and the soil texture was sandy loam. The soil bulk density was significantly greater in samples from the livestock route (2.2 g per cm3) compared to those from the forest stand (1.53 g per cm3). The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon, and organic matter in the forest area (0.78%, 2.40%, 7.29%, 5.82%, and 10.78%, respectively) were higher than those in the livestock route (0.67%, 1.39%, 5.46%, 1.60%, and 2.96%, respectively). However, the amounts of calcium and magnesium were significantly greater in the samples from the livestock route (0.29% and 0.00085%, respectively) compared to those from the forest stand (0.26% and 0.00082%, respectively). The EC, pH, and sodium concentration values of the soil samples were not significantly different between both sampling sites. The soil macrofauna characteristics were significantly greater in samples from the forest stand (abundance per m2=36.6, wet biomass=2.06 g/m2, dry biomass=1.20 g/m2) compared to the livestock route (abundance per m2=12.1, wet biomass=1.33 g/m2, dry biomass=0.61 g/m2). The investigation of plant biodiversity showed that the Margalef richness index and the Shannon-Wiener, Brillouin, and N-Hill diversity indices were greater in the forest stand compared to the livestock route.
Conclusion: The general results of this research showed that livestock traffic on the livestock route had negative effects on soil properties and understory vegetation.
Keywords
Soil fertility
central Zagros
biodiversity indicators
soil macrofauna
livestock route

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Forest
Volume 16, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Autumn 2024
Pages 325-339

  • Receive Date 07 June 2023
  • Revise Date 11 July 2023
  • Accept Date 30 August 2023