J. Mohammadi, H. Khademi, M. Nael,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2005)
Abstract
In order to achieve a sustainable management of land resources and to improve land quality, quantitative assessment of effective factors and soil quality indicators are required. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability of selected soil quality attributes in central Zagros affected by such factors as region, land use and management practices. Twelve sites were selected in three provinces including Chahar Mahal va Backtiari (Sabzku, Broujen), Isfahan (Semirum), and Kohkeloyeh va Boyerahmad (Yasodje). Different management practices were considered such as: protected pasture, intensive grazing, controlled grazing, dryland farming, irrigated wheat cultivation, legume-farming practice, protected forest, and degraded forest. Systematic sampling with taking 50 samples of surface soil in each site was carried out. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that all factors significantly influenced the spatial variability of selected soil quality attributes namely phosphatase activity, microbial respiration, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen. The results obtained from discriminant analysis indicated that all selected soil quality parameters could significantly be used as soil quality indicators in order to recognize and discriminate sustainable agricultural and forestry ecosystems and/or optimal management practices.
