The perception by pastoralists of the factors influencing the appropriate distribution of livestock in the rangelands of north-east Iran
M. R. Shahraki A , A. Abedi-Sarvestani B , M.S. Seyedi C , P. Rafiaani Khachak D , A. Nieto-Garibay E , S. Van Passel F and H. Azadi F G H I
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management in Golestan Province, Iran.
B Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
C Department of Range Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
D Department of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.
E Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste S.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
F Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
G Economics and Rural Development, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Belgium.
H Department of Geography, Ghent University, Belgium.
I Corresponding author. Email: hossein.azadi@ugent.be
The Rangeland Journal 37(2) 191-197 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ14027
Submitted: 4 March 2014 Accepted: 12 January 2015 Published: 18 February 2015
Abstract
The distribution of livestock grazing is a key principle of range management. This study examines pastoralists’ perceptions of the factors that affect the distribution of livestock in the rangelands of the Neqab region of the Kashmar County in north-east Iran. Data were collected from the pastoralists on their perceptions of the managerial, biological and physical factors that influences the distribution of livestock, using both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Results showed that, the perception of the majority of pastoralists was that the distribution of livestock was ‘average’ or ‘good’ in the study area. It was perceived that the experience of herders and the size of the rangeland were the main factors influencing the distribution of livestock. Regression analyses showed that it was perceived that managerial factors had a more important role than biological and physical factors in the distribution of livestock and the proper use of the rangelands in north-east Iran.
Additional keywords: carrying capacity, grazing distribution, overgrazing, rangeland degradation, sustainable rangeland management.
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