Showing 28 results for Range
S.a. Khatoonabadi, A.m. Amini, A. Mirzaali,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2001)
Abstract
Experience has shown that all centralized planning, policy-making and decision-making which presuppose exclusion of public participation have never been successful in achieving their objectives. The goal of this research is to determine the driving and preventive factors of herders’ participation in rehabilitation designs of Aghghala ranges in Gorgan Province. The research method was direct observation in which measurement techniques were used. A questionnaire was used to divide the sample society into two categories: the experts who design the range management system, and the local herders.
Results obtained from this investigation showed that according to the experts training, economic, planning and social parameters have the greatest effects on local herders’ participation while the herders maintained that planning, economic, training and social parameters have the greatest effect on decreasing their participation.
A. Ahmadi Iikhchi, M. A. Hajabbassi, A. Jalalian,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
Cultivating rangeland to be shifted to crop land farms commonly causes soil degradation and runoff generation. This study was conducted to evaluate the cultivation effects on runoff generation and soil quality. The experiment was performed in a rangeland and a 40-year cultivated land located at two slope positions (back slope and shoulder) of a hillside in Dorahan, Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province. A 60±5 mm.hr-1 rainfall intensity was simulated by a rainulator. Organic matter, mean weighted diameter, saturated hydraulic conductivity, collected runoff and sediments were measured. The differences between the means were tested using T-test. Results showed 35, 53 and 8% increases in the organic matter, mean weighted diameter, and saturated hydraulic conductivity in back slope, respectively. The increases in these parameters in shoulder position were 39, 60 and 33%. The values for runoff and sediments in back slope were 3 and 8 times greater than in other similar positions while the values in the shoulder position were 11 and 55 times greater than the same values in other positions.
J. Keramat, G. H. Kabir, B. Ghanaati,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
Citrus juice and concentrate are among the major industrial products in Iran. Large quantities of citrus peels with considerable amounts of pectin are also produced. Pectin could be extracted from the peels to be used as a gelling agent in some food products. Unfortunately, all pectin used in the food industry is imported. This study was carried out to find the best conditions of pectin extraction from orange peels. Samples of orange peels were collected from a concentrated orange juice factory. Pectin was extracted by sulfuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Certain qualitative and quantitative tests, such as yield of extraction and cost of extraction were determined. Also, food safety aspects as a result of using the above acids were considered. Hydrochloric acid was found to be the most suitable acid. In the second part of the research, the effects of temperature (85 and 90˚C), time (40, 50 and 60 minutes) and pH (1.6, 1.8 and 2.0) on the yield of extraction, purity, gelling ability, percentage of methoxylation and degree of esterification of the extracted pectins were measured. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the best conditions for the extraction of pectin include a pH level of 1.6, a temperature of 90˚C and a period of 50 minutes.
J. Mohammadi, F. Raeisi Gahrooee,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (1-2004)
Abstract
Knowledge of the spatial dependency of soil properties, sensitive to grazing systems, is important from an ecosystem protection point of view. In the current study, geostatistical methods and fractal concepts have been used in order to characterize the impact of long-term grazing exclusion on the spatial variability of some soil chemical parameters including organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and available potassium in both ungrazed and grazed sites located in Sabzkuh region, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province. The spatial pattern of different variables was studied using variogram.
The results indicate that spatial variability of soil parameters depends upon grazing history. The variogram of organic matter in grazed areas shows a linear behavior without reaching the sill variance while organic matter in the ungrazed area established a strong spatial structure. Moreover, available phosphorous in the grazed area had pure nugget variation. Variograms of total nitrogen and available potassium in both grazed and ungrazed areas showed spatial structure approximated by spherical model. However, the range of variograms in exclusion sites was twice that of the grazed area. The results of applying the fractal theory show that soil properties have fractional behavior since increasing the scale of study reveals more details. Moreover, calculated fractal dimension values from variograms of different variables were close to 2.0 although this index was usually greater in the grazed area than in the exclusion sites. The calculated fractal dimensions can be used as a proper indicator of describing the pattern of spatial variability and its complexity.
Gh. Chegini, B. Ghobadian, M. Barekatin,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (1-2004)
Abstract
The difficulties in the storage of fruit juice and the use of juice powder in various food processing industries has made the juice powder attractive to consumers and producers. Making powder from fruit juice is one of the most complex methods of fruit processing.The hygroscopic nature of fruit juice component and its thermoplastic properties has caused the drying time control and the transportation of the product from the drying zone to the next stage to become very difficult. In this investigation with laboratory spray dryer, the effective parameters on orange juice powder deposit on the wall of the spray dryer was studied. The results indicate that the powder can not be made without the use of additives. Using liquid glucose as an additive to orange juice concentration increased the dryer performance and reduced the wall deposit considerably. With the help of liquid glucose additive, spray dryer optimum conditions were obtained with a feed flow rate of 15 ml/min, inlet air temperature of 130oC and outlet air temperature of 85oC. The results from the statistical analysis of the experimental data show that the parameters of inlet air temperature and feed flow rate have significant effects on the dryer yield and wall deposit both individually and jointly. By increasing inlet air temperature and feed flow rate, the dryer yield decreased but wall deposit increased. In spite of using suitable additives, the wall deposit was still in the range of 14 to 65 %. The results of experiments indicate that the main cause of wall deposit can be attributed to the wall high temperature. It is, therefore, necessary to keep the wall temperature below the orange powder sticky point temperature to prevent rising temperature in wall deposit. For the orange powder containing 2% moisture, the sticky point temperature is 44oC. To control the wall temperature, a dryer with double partition wall chamber and a cooling system is proposed.
F. Raiesi Gahrooee, E. Asadi, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2005)
Abstract
Over-grazing may induce changes in the dynamics of plant residue carbon and soil organic carbon (SOC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the litter quality of three dominant pasture species, and the relationship between litter quality and C dynamics under different range managements in native rangelands of SabzKou. Aboveground litters from three dominant species including, Agropyron intermedium (AP), Hordeum bulbosum (HB) and Juncus stenophylla (JU) were collected in an area protected from grazing for 15 years. Concentrations of N, P and K in litter samples were determined. Litter decomposition was also studied by using a litter bag experiment. Bagged litters were incubated under field conditions at grazed and ungrazed sites for one year. Concentrations of N in litters were 1.37, 1.36 and 0.98, respectively, for AP, JU and HB. Assuming 50 % C in the litter, C/N ratios of litters were 37.2, 37.3 and 51.1, respectively, for AP, JU and HB. The litters of AP, JU and HB contained, respectively, 0.13,0.12 and 0.21 % of P, and 1.04, 1.01 and 1.72 % of K. Results indicate no significant (p>0.05) and consistent difference in litter decomposition rates between grazed and ungrazed areas. The three pasture species, however, showed significant (p<0.01) differences in litter decomposition rate. It is appearing that the trend in litter decomposition of these plant species correlates initially with litter C/N ratio, but other quality parameters of litter as well as soil environmental conditions would likely affect the litter decomposability in advanced stages of decomposition process.
H. Arzani, M. Jangjo, H. Shams, S. Mohtashamnia, M. A. Fashami, H. Ahmadi, M. Jafari, A. A. Darvishsefat, E. Shahriary,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (4-2006)
Abstract
Range suitability and its grazing capability are the most important criteria in rangeland analysis and monitoring. Determination and monitoring of factors affecting on range suitability and diagnosis of them are important .All range ecosystem components affect range suitability. Which among them physical and vegetational factors, forage production, water resources and sensitivity to erosion were considered. The objective of this research was to determine range suitability of Lar, Dasht bakan, Ardestan, Siahrood rangelands to design a model for sheep grazing. This study was carried out in four regions, two of them (Siahrood and Lar) located in Alborz mountain chain, Ardestan in center of Iran and Dashtbakan in Zagros mountain chain. According to the results among physical factors, slope remoteness of watering points and sensitivity to erosion had more effect on grazing capability than vegetation factors. In Siahrood watershed aboundancy of poisonous plants, high slope, transient watering points and non resistant formations were limiting factors. High slope, sensitivity of soils and stones to erosion, kind of exploitation in Lar watershed affected range suitability. In Ardestan watershed, low range productivity, presence of invader plants, erosion, remoteness of watering points are major limitation of range suitability. In Dasht Bakan factors including slope, elevation, dispersion of water resources and transient water resources were limited grazing capability. In land evaluation each land utilization type has certain land use requirement and each land unit has certain land qualities. Utilization of rangeland based on grazing capacity, range readiness and recreation of degraded rangeland can improve suitability of rangelands in the studied areas.
K. Solaimani, R. Tamartash, F. Alavi, S. Lotfi,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (7-2007)
Abstract
In order to manage the rangeland resources, remote sensing data is able to provide a sensible role of different cases in flora community such as biomass. The study area in SefidAb subbasin of the Lar Dam basin is located in central Alborz, where the climatic condition is semihumid and near to moderate. For the assessment of the sattelite data and their capability in estimation of the range production, Landsat-TM data with different bands was used. In this research, the field data was collected using random-systematic method in 20 sampling units of 200 plots. For geographic coordinates of the sampling units and related pixels in digital data, GPS and also existing benchmark data of the nearest points were used. Then correlation between ground data and vegetation index from different band combination was investigated and the reasonble vegetation indices were obtained. Finally, the best models were extracted for this purpose, which showed sensible relation between the field data and vegetation index. Therefor, it is possible to estimate range production using Landsat TM data related to ground control.
H. Latifi, J. Oladi, S. Saroei, H. Jalilvand,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (7-2007)
Abstract
In order to evaluate the capability of ETM+ remotely- sensed data to provide "Forest- shrub land- Rangeland" cover type map in areas near the timberline of northern forests of Iran, the data was analyzed in a portion of nearly 790 ha located in Neka- Zalemroud region. First, ortho-rectification process was implemented to correct the geometric errors of the image, which yielded 0/68 and 0/69 pixels of RMS error toward X and Y axis, respectively. The original
multi-spectral bands were fused to the panchromatic band using PANSHARP Statistical module. The ground truth map was prepared using 1 ha field plots in a systematic- random sampling grid. Vegetative form of trees, shrubs and rangelands was recorded as a criterion to allocate the plots. A set of channels including original bands, NDVI and IR/R indices, and first components of PCA was used for classification procedure. Automatic band selection command was used to select the appropriate channel set.. Classification was carried out using ML classifier on both original and fused data sets. It showed 67% of overall accuracy and 0/43 of Kappa coefficient in original data set. Due to the results present presented above, it's concluded that ETM+ data has an intermediate capability to fulfill the spectral variations of 3 form- based classes, in the studied area. Furthermore, applying complementary methods to minimize the background spectral effect is proposed for future studies.
S. Rastegar , M. Rahemi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2008)
Abstract
Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin are classified as early cultivars and when fruits are left on the trees, fruit firmness and juice content will decrease. Plant growth regulators have been used to improve fruit quality. Gibberellic acid (GA3) and 2,4-D isopropyl ester sprays were used to increase juice content ,peel firmness and delay senescence in Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin. Factorial experiments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications and each block consisted of three trees. Chemicals were sprayed on the branches (north and south of each tree) with 10 liter sprayer to the point of run-off during fall of 2004 and 2005 ,in a commercial orchard in Jahrom in the south east of Fars province, Iran . In both years of study, GA3 at 100,150 and 200 mgl-l and isopropyl ester 2,4-D at 8,12 and 24 mgl-1 were sprayed on September 30 (diameter of Navel 64 mm and diameter of Clementine 46 mm), October 14 (diameter of Navel 69 mm and diameter of Clementine 48 mm ) and November 7 (diameter of Navel 70 mm and diameter of Clementine 50 mm) and fruits of Navel oranges and Clementine mandarin were harvested 45 and 35 days after last the spray treatment, respectively . The results of experiment revealed that Navel oranges responded better with second application (Oct.14, diameter 69 mm ) and Clementine mandarin with the first application (Sept.30, diameter 46 mm ). Juice content and fruit firmness at harvest increased. GA3 increased juice content even better than 2,4-D isopropyl ester but delayed senescence, 2,4-D was more effective in increasing fruit sizing in both cultivars. GA3 at 150 and 200 mgl-1 and 2,4-D at 24 mgl-1 when compared with the untreated resulted in highest juice content of fruits.
M. Khodagholi, Z. Eskandari, M. Saeidfar, S. Chavoshi,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
The effect of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization on range species production was studied using factor combination method as factorial with 3 blocks and 12 treatments. Nitrogen in 4 levels of 0،25،50 and 75 kg N/ha and phosphorus in 3 rates of 0،30 and 60 kg N/ha were used. Results indicated no significant difference between nitrogen rates in different growth forms of grass, bush and Eurotia ceratoides. Nitrogen in 75 kg/ha rates caused an increase of 40 and 106% in grass and Eurotia production, respectively. The maximum rate of production was seen in N50 with 100 percent increase compared to N0. Moreover, no significant difference in phosphor rates of leguminous and grass was observed. P 60 kg caused 500 and 56 % increase in leguminous and grass production, respectively.
Z. Karimi , M. Rahemi,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (10-2008)
Abstract
Pathogens are the most important factors inducing postharvest losses on citrus fruit. Experiments were conducted as a CRD with 4 replications on sweet lime (Citrus limetta) and Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) in 2003 and 2004. Treatments were pure essential oils of clove and thyme and in 25% ethanol solution at concentrations of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% and imazalil (2 ml/l). Results indicated that in the first year, pure essential oils of clove and thyme reduced the decay percentage of blue mold of Valencia orange fruit from 90 % (control) to 0 and 12.5 %, respectively. Pure essential oils of clove and thyme reduced the decay percentage of sweet lime in the first year of experiment from 95 % (control) to 0 and 6 %, respectively. In the second year, with the same treatments decay percentage of blue mold was reduced from 90 % (control) to 0. Solutions of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 % of clove and thyme oil extracts in 25 % ethanol solution reduced decay percentage of sweet lime fruits form 85 % (control) to 65, 41 and 26 % for thyme oil and to 60, 30 and 22.5 % for clove oil. Comparison of pure clove and thyme oil extract with imazalil showed that pure clove and thyme oil extracts were not significantly different with fungicide treatment. Treatments of clove and thyme oils in 25 % ethanol treatment were not as effective as fungicide.
F Parsa, R Azadi Gonbad, A Moghadam Dorodkhani,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Every year lots of waste will produce in factories from black tea. These waste will remain unusable or through away but only little amount will be used in industry. In this survey, important components of tea dust and three kinds common tea wastes was studied from 1382 to 1383. Four compounds (caffeine, protein, fiber and fluor) were extracted and measured separately from four samples of wastes (dust, fluff, footstalk and stalk) as experimental component. In three periods of plucking (spring, summery and autumn) from two kinds of arrangement (from curve and flat bushes). The experiment were conducted in four experimental components with replications and were analyzed with Duncan method. The results indicated that effects all of wastes, plucking periods and two kinds of arrangement (except effect of that on amount of caffeine) were significant on caffeine, protein, fiber and fluor whereas maximum amounts of caffeine, fluor and protein in dust but maximum amounts of fiber was in stalk and Effect of plucking period indicated maximum amount of fluor and caffeine in summer plucking and maximum amount of fiber and protein in autumn plucking and effect of plots indicated maximum amount of fiber in flat plot and maximum amount of fluor and protein in curve plot.
S.h Sadeghi, S.h Pourghasemi, M Mohamadi, H Agharazi,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
The use of suitable empirical models for estimation of soil erosion and sediment yield is essential because of nonexistence or shortage of associated data in many watersheds. In the present study, the applicability of the USLE and its different versions Viz. MUSLE-S, AOF, MUSLT, MUSLE-E, USLE-M and AUSLE in estimation of storm-wise sediment yield from standard plots installed in dry farming, ploughed and rangeland treatments was evaluated. To conduct the study, the entire input data were collected from plots installed in three replicates in each treatment in Khosbijan Natural Resources Research Station in Arak Township. The models’ estimates were then compared with the observed sediment data for 12 storm events. Contrary to high correlation among different models’ estimates, the models used in estimation of measured sediment data were found inapplicable. However, significant relationship (r=94.4%) and non-significant relationship with correlation coefficients less than 50% were found between MUSLE-E, and MUSLE-S and MUSLE-E estimates and measured data in rangeland, dry farming and ploughed treatments, respectively.
H Arzani, M Mosayebi, A Nikkhah,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Information on animal requirements for determination of rangeland grazing capacity is essential. Animal requirements depend on its live weight, age, physiological condition and quality of available forage. There are more than 20 sheep breeds with different body sizes grazing in various climatic zone's rangelands of Iran, so animal unit equivalent of each breed should be determined independently. In this research, live weight of animal unit of Fashandy sheep based on average live weight of 3 and 4 year old ewes was determined. Three herds with more than 100 Fashandy ewes among existing herds in Taleghan region were selected. In each herd, 15 three year old ewes, 15 four year old ewes, 5 three year old rams, and 5 four year old rams were selected. They were weighed three times including at the time of beginning of grazing in highlands, end of grazing season in highlands, and once in winter. In each herd, also 5 three month old lambs in the beginning of grazing season and 5 six month old lambs at the end of grazing season were weighed. The amount of daily forage requirement according to live weight and energy requirement of animal unit equivalent for maintenance condition was calculated using NRC (1985) tables and MAFF (1984) formula. It was multiplied by 1.5 because of mountainous condition of rangelands and distances from watering points and villages. The SAS statistical software was used for data analyses according to factorial experiment in the form of completely random design. According to the results, the live weight of animal unit of Fashandy breed was 60.7 Kg. The average live weight of 3 and 4 year old rams were 80.3 and 85.3 kg, respectively. Live weights of 3 and 6 month old lambs were 21.4 and 37.8 kg, respectively. Therefore, animal unit equivalents for rams, 3 and 6 month old lambs were 1.36, 0.35 and 0.62 respectively. According to NRC tables, daily metabolisable energy requirement was 13.8 Mj, and based on MAFF formula it was 11.8 Mj (including that multiplied by 1.5).
M. Riahi , F. Raiesi,
Volume 16, Issue 59 (4-2012)
Abstract
Mountainous landscapes in Central Zagros are mainly used as grazing rangelands to feed animals and are heavily degraded. Overgrazing may impose a negative effect on rangeland productivity and sustainability through significant changes in soil properties. Soil nitrogen (N) mineralization is one of the key biological processes that might be affected by biotic and abiotic factors including range grazing regime or intensity. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of rangeland management (grazing and ungrazing regimes) on soil N mineralization in natural rangelands of Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiyari province. Three range management regimes including a) long-term ungrazed, b) controlled grazed and c) freely- (over)-grazed plots in a close vicinity were selected in three regions consisting of SabzKouh (protected from grazing for 18 years), Boroujen (protected from grazing for 23 years) and Sheida (protected from grazing for 2 years), and soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth for some physical and chemical properties. Soil N mineralization was measured under standard laboratory conditions. At SabzKouh, the effect of range management on the cumulative N mineralization and the proportion of N mineralized (%) was significant (P<0.05) and ungrazing regime resulted in 89% and 96% increases in soil N mineralization in ungrazed rangelands compared with controlled grazed and freely- grazed rangelands, respectively. Similarly, soil N mineralization was significantly greater (P<0.05) in ungrazed rangelands (3.3- to 3.5-folds) than in controlled grazed and freely-grazed rangelands at Boroujen site. However, at Sheida site with short-term ungrazing period and cropping history there were no significant and considerable differences in soil N mineralization among the three grazing regimes. Briefly, degraded rangelands at SabzKouh and Boroujen sites seem to recover rather quickly from long-term overgrazing with a proper grazing management, while rangeland ecosystems at Sheida site need a much longer period for steady-state conditions and for improvements in soil quality and fertility after long-term soil degradation and disturbance.
E. Gavili Kilaneh, M.r. Vahabi,
Volume 16, Issue 59 (4-2012)
Abstract
Vegetation is the most important factor in sustainable and dynamic equilibrium of natural ecosystems. Considering the relation between environmental factors and vegetation is an essential step in order to identify the effective factors in the habitats. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relations between vegetation and soil characteristics in rangelands of Ferydounshahr (Sardab-Sibak watershed). The flora and vegetation types were studied using Physionomic-floristic method in the field and eight vegetation types were identified. Vegetation was sampled by Systematic–randomized method in 1× 2 m plots. The canopy cover and species composition percentage were estimated in each plot. After digging a soil profile in vegetation types, the physical and chemical factors were measured. The influences of edaphic factors on vegetation were analyzed using RDA ordination technique. Results showed that based on soil characteristics the eight vegetation types can be classified in to three main range habitats including, Ferula ovina, Astragalus adscendens and Astragalus brachycalyx. The most important factors which cause the separation in these three habitat ranges were clay percentage, organic matter, soil depth, CaCO3, pavement and barren soil.
R. Karimi, M. Hassan Salehi, F. Raiesi,
Volume 18, Issue 69 (12-2014)
Abstract
Improper use of rangelands may lead to their destruction. Therefore, the conversion of these degraded rangelands to agricultural lands and other land uses may improve their soil quality. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of cultivation in the degraded rangelands on some soil characteristics in Safashahr region of Fars province. Four land uses including the rangeland with sparse vegetation (degraded rangeland), the rangeland converted to agricultural land over 17 years, the agricultural land converted to apple orchard for 4 years and also to an apple orchard for 40 years were selected. Samples were randomly taken from each land use at two depths (0-20 and 20-50 cm) with five replications. The results revealed that land use change significantly increased organic matter and MWD in both soil depths. Bulk density and water dispersible clay increased in agricultural land and new orchard while a decrease was observed for old apple orchard. It is suggested the traditional farming to be replaced with new cultivation methods like minimum tillage and no tillage. Overgrazing of the rangelands must also be avoided.
F. Parsadoust, Z. Eskandari, B. Bahreyninejad, A. Jafari Addakani,
Volume 19, Issue 71 (6-2015)
Abstract
Evaluation of chemical and biological indicators of soil in different land uses could be helpful in sustainable range management, preventing degradation of soil quality trend. This study was conducted in Friedan in Isfahan province in 2010 to compare chemical and biological indicators in three land uses (rangeland, degraded dry land and dry land), during two growing seasons (May and September) in three slopes (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 %). Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and microbial soil respiration were measured. Results showed that all measured characteristics except potassium decreased over an increase in the slope. Maximum values of phosphorus, organic matters, cation exchange capacity and soil respiration were obtained in pasture (28.4 mg/kg, 0.62%, 20.38 cmol/kg, 33.2 mgC/day, respectively)but potassium maximum rate was seen in dry land form (406.8 mg/kg).The effect of season on all measured parameters was significant except for N, while the highest amounts of phosphorus, potassium, cation exchange capacity and soil respiration (28.7 mg/kg, 377.3 mg/kg, 19.6 cmol/kg and 25.9 mgC/day, respectively) were seen in May and the highest organic matter rate (0.68%)in September. The results of this study showed that an increase in the slope, poor range management, and the end of the growing season could be major factors degrading the soil quality indices and soil productivity.
B. Khalili Moghadam, M. Afyuni, A. Jalalian, K. C. Abbaspour, A. A. Dehghani,
Volume 19, Issue 71 (6-2015)
Abstract
With the advent of advanced geographical informational systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies in recent years, topographic (elevation, slope, and aspect) and vegetation attributes are routinely available from digital elevation models (DEMs) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at different spatial (watershed, regional) scales. This study explores the use of topographic and vegetation attributes in addition to soil attributes to develop pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for estimating soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in the rangeland of central Zagros. We investigated the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in estimating soil saturated hydraulic conductivity from measured particle size distribution, bulk density, topographic attributes, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil organic carbon (SOC), and CaCo3 in topsoil and subsoil horizon. Three neural networks structures were used and compared with conventional multiple linear regression analysis. The performances of the models were evaluated using spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) based on the observed and the estimated values and normalized mean square error (NMSE). Topographic and vegetation attributes were found to be the most sensitive variables to estimate soil saturated hydraulic conductivity in the rangeland of central Zagros. Improvements were achieved with neural network (r=0.87) models compared with the conventional multiple linear regression (MLR) model (r=0.69).
