This study was conducted to determine indices and components of economic sustainability assessment in the pastoral units of Sahand summer rangelands. The method was based on descriptive-analytical survey (experts and researchers) with questionnaires. Analysis of variance showed that the mean values of economic components are significantly different from each other and the efficiency component has the highest mean value (0.57). The analysis of rangeland pastoral units with the technique for order-preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) indicated that from an economic sustainability standpoint, Garehgol (Ci = 0.519) and Badir Khan (Ci = 0.129), pastoral units ranked first and last, respectively. This study provides a clear understanding of existing resources and opportunities for policy makers that is crucial to approach economic sustainable development. Accordingly, this study can help better define sustainable development goals and monitor the progress of achieving them.

International audienceGlobally, grassland soils, if managed properly, are important for the sake of carbon sequestration. The quality and quantity of soil organic carbon is probably influenced by vegetation traits such as composition and plant species. We determined the influence of vegetation composition and co-dominant species on soil organic carbon in two Prangus uloptera stands. The stands situated at close proximity were identified in a Prangos uloptera community in north-western Iran. Both stands shared similar dominant plant species with the same physiographical and climatological characteristics, but differed in their co-dominant plant species. To compare soil organic matter (SOM) parameters, soil samples from each stand were collected from depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The results showed that SOM had spatial variation which was probably affected by the plant species. The highest values of total C, Total N, POM-C, POM-N, microaggregates, C in macroaggregates and C in microaggregates in the upper soil layer occurred in the stand with the highest cover of Astragalus microcephalus and Acanthophyllum microcephalum. It is suggested that, in conservation projects based on higher carbon sequestration, the plant species with more incorporation of carbon content into soil should be identified and used more widely

The objective of this study was to characterise the effect of grazing on soil physical, chemical and biological properties of a semi-steppe rangeland grazed by goats and sheep in the Sahand Mountains (Iran) in order to develop effective soil conservation measures and sustain livestock production. Grazing was classified as light, moderate and heavy according to the stocking rate and utilisation rate of the vegetation. Soil sampling was conducted at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm for each grazing treatment. Soil physical and chemical properties were determined at both depths and soil microbial variables were evaluated at the surface layer. Increasing level of grazing significantly decreased all soil chemical properties at both depths except for pH and magnesium concentration. Increasing the level of grazing significantly decreased the soil moisture content and porosity at both soil depths. The highest values of microbial biomass carbon, total fungi and bacteria were observed on the light treatment. Grazing significantly affected soil properties unfavourably and reduced vegetation vigour and composition, jeopardising the sustainability of the ecosystem.

Establishing soil quality index (SQI) is a common procedure in assessing soil capacity function. Various SQIs can be designed and used in soil evaluations upon the aspects including data set, efficiency, and sensitivity. This study was conducted to distinguish a representative soil minimum dataset (MDS) among 16 total dataset (TDS) properties in semi-arid rangeland ecosystems of northwest Iran. Appropriate SQIs were calculated applying the models of integrated quality index (IQI) and Nemoro quality index (NQI). IQI by simple additive and weighted additive approaches and also NQI were calculated for both MDS and TDS based on linear transformation of soil parameters. Totally, different SQIs including simple additive IQI, weighted additive IQI, and NQI were separately established to TDS and MDS. Sensitivity index (SI) and efficiency ratio (ER) of each SQI were then calculated for prioritizing and selecting suitable index. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that seven indicators are appropriate MDS for accounting 70.27% of data variations. Maximum and minimum SI belonged to MDS-NQI and TDS-weighted additive IQI, with values of 2.597 and 2.056, respectively. MDS-NQI has the highest value of ER (85.71), while TDS (both weighted and simple additive)-IQI has received the lowest value of ER (71.43). Final prioritizing according to ranks of SI and ER showed that MDS-NQI is the most suitable approach in soil quality assessment of semi-arid rangelands. Therefore, it could reduce cost due to measuring fewer indicators in the laboratory on contrary premise to have more dense soil samples in the field.