Range Rehabilitation Problems of the Steppic Zone of Iran

Abstract

Difficulty in establishing vegetation on depleted and eroded lands in the Steppic Zone of Iran is the problem. This analysis of the range problems of Iran is intended to serve as a guideline for revegetation of the Steppic Zone of Iran. The Steppic Zone, which covers about 2/5 of Iran, is an area of 100-200 mm rainfall annually; temperature is highly variable and dependent on altitude and latitude. The Steppic Zone has been severely overgrazed and depleted since the dawn of history. The number of livestock grazed now exceeds the forage producing capacity of rangeland by at least 5 times and damage to watersheds is severe. Because of low precipitation and dry hot summers (at higher elevations extremely cold winters) and commonly saline alkaline soils with low amounts of or lack of organic matter, natural revegetation is extremely slow and reseeding of grasses and legumes has not shown success.