بررسي آثار تاج پوشش درختان بر مقدار توليد و كيفيت پوشش مرتعي زيراشكوب در منطقه زاگرس مركزي

Investigation on the effects of crown canopy of trees on pasture yield and quality of understory vegetation in central Zagros

The western forests of Iran are among the richest biological resources and their understory vegetation is the main source of forage for rural and nomadic livestock. So these forests are the focus of animal husbandry in Iran. Pasture yield and quality were compared between zones under trees and open areas near the trees. Trees affected pasture quality and yield. In this study, two species of trees were studied: Quercus brantii lindl and Acer monspesulanum. These trees influenced pasture yields grown under the trees. Pasture yields in open areas near the trees (without trees land) were greater than under trees but forage quality factors were higher under trees than in open areas. These results indicate that, while removing trees may enhance pasture productivity, this benefit may be offset by a reduction in pasture quality.