Studying the effect of fire on some vegetation and soil properties in a semi-arid shrubland (Case study: Kachaleh Rangelands, Kamyaran Region)

Aim: Fire is one of the most important ecological disturbances in rangelands which change the characteristics of vegetation and soil. Up to now few studies have been conducted to study the short-term effects of fire on soil and vegetation in semi-arid shrubland. The positive or negative effects of fire on soil and vegetation of rangeland have been investigated in this research. Materials and Methods: Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and magnesium (Mg) content were selected as soil attributes and vegetation richness, diversity and density (percent ground cover) as vegetation properties. Vegetation and soil sampling was performed based on systematic randomized method along ۳ transects (The length of transects in the control and burnt area was ۱۰۰ m and the distance between each plots was ۱۰ m). Information about vegetation traits (production, density, diversity, richness and evenness) were recorded in ۱ m۲ plots. Soil samples were taken at two depths of ۰-۱۵ and ۱۵-۳۰ cm by auger. Findings: Compared to unburnt rangeland, the percentage of vegetation (۱۶.۳۰ %), production (۲۰.۴۷ Kg ha-۱) and density of vegetation (۶.۷۴ %) in burnt region have been decreased significantly (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The results of the present study had shown a significant decrease in species diversity and richness in burnt rangeland. There were not any positive effects of fire on soil or vegetation cover in studied area.

Keywords:

Rangelands , Fire , Vegetation diversity , Soil pH , Soil calcium