Effects of Check Dams on Plant Species Diversity in Subbasins of Anbaran-Chai

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Rangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 M.Sc. in Rangeland Management, Ardabil Bureau of Natural Resourse and Watershed Management, Ardabil, Iran

4 Ph.D in Rangeland Scinces, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Despite the long history of implementing watershed management restorative projects, evaluation of the effects of these projects on vegetation and in particular the species diversity of plants has been neglected. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of watershed management projects (Check Dam) on the variation of sub-basin species diversity in Anbaran area of Ardabil. In 2017 sub-basins where check dams were established about a decade ago, were considered as
experimental watersheds, and subbasins with no implementation and similar in terms of environmental characteristics, were considered as control. Using a systematic randomized method, 20 plots of one square meter were established in each of the subbasins, along with six transects of 150–100 meters along the sides of the waterways.Percentage of crown cover and the number of bases of any species were recorded, and numerical indices of species richness, evennsess and
species diversity were calculated. Results showed that despite means of Margalef Species Richness Index, Simpson Uniformity Index, and Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (1.74, 0.65 and 1.41) were higher in experimental watersheds than controls (1.68, 0.63 and 1.36), differences were not statistically significant. However, based on the Renyi Index based diversity curve, the experimental basins had a high diversity in comparison with the control basins. Meanwhile, the mean Margalef Species Richness, Simpson Uniformity Index and Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index in the northern watersheds (1.85, 0.67 and 1.47, respectively) were significantly higher than the southern watersheds (1.58, 0.61 and 1.30). Accordingly, it can be concluded that the check dam projects have had a significant impact on the improvement of diversity index and supporting the biological objectives in the subbasins. According to the results, implementation of check dam projects is recommended in other similar environmental conditions. Sub basins with check dams can be considered as priority locations to protect vegetation diversity.

Keywords

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Watershed Management Research
Volume 30, Issue 3 - Serial Number 116
September 2017
Pages 73-85

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 January 2018
  • Revise Date: 09 March 2018
  • Accept Date: 10 April 2018

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