تحلیل پایداری سامان‌های عرفی مراتع قشلاقی در مناطق روستایی شهرستان چایپاره

Introduction

Achieving equilibrium within rangeland ecosystems represents a significant challenge in the context of sustainable rangeland management. Sustainable development, irrespective of its scale or objectives, demands principled, efficient planning and meticulous execution. For the successful implementation of diverse economic, social, and environmental programs, it is essential to formulate development strategies, ensure effective planning and execution, and assess the capacities, limitations, and developmental status of local settlements. This process must be based on a set of robust indices that provide a comprehensive evaluation. This study aims to evaluate the sustainability of, and analyze its components among, the users of the customary pastoral units in the winter rangelands of Chaypareh County.

Methodology

This study employed survey and descriptive-analytical methods to evaluate and assess the sustainability of the customary pastoral units in the winter rangelands of Chaypareh County. The research utilized indices introduced in prior studies, and the sustainability barometer model was applied to measure sustainability. This model, proposed by Prescott-Allen, consists of two primary components: ecosystem welfare and human welfare. Both elements must be improved to achieve sustainable conditions. The sustainability barometer divides sustainability into five levels and measures it based on the two variables of ecosystem welfare and human welfare. Five pastoral units were selected for analysis, considering factors such as the number of utilizers, accessibility, livestock density, and the area of the rangelands. Thirty questionnaires were completed by the utilizers. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for each section of the questionnaire ranged from 0.745, which falls within the acceptable range. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare the mean scores of the sustainability evaluation components, and Duncan's multiple range test was employed to identify intra-group differences.

Results

In the studied pastoral units, 57% of the participants were male and 43% were female. The majority of respondents were middle-aged. The analysis revealed significant statistical differences among the sustainability components across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Specifically, the social components of sustainability were classified into four distinct groups. Duncan’s test showed significant differences in the mean scores of the social components in the sustainability assessment of customary rangeland systems. The cultural capital component had the highest mean score (0.675), while the services component had the lowest (0.409). The economic dimensions of sustainability were categorized into four distinct groups. The 'activity and employment' component showed the highest mean score (0.679), whereas the 'utilization' component had the lowest mean score (0.433). Duncan’s grouping revealed that the environmental-ecological components of sustainability were divided into three statistically distinct groups. Among the environmental components, the 'environmental health' component, with a mean of 0.558, exhibited the highest score, while the 'water resources' component had the lowest mean score (0.267). The ecological-environmental dimension of sustainability, with a value of 0.612, showed the highest sustainability, while the social dimension, with a score of 0.484, had the lowest. Regarding social sustainability, the Salte pastoral unit, with a sustainability value of 0.608, was classified as potentially sustainable and exhibited the highest level of social sustainability among the winter rangeland pastoral units. In terms of economic sustainability, the Salte unit, with a sustainability value of 0.418 and moderate sustainability, ranked at the first level of economic sustainability. For ecological-environmental sustainability, the Nalband pastoral unit, with a sustainability value of 0.399 and potential sustainability, also ranked at the first level. The Sustainability Barometer model indicated that all studied pastoral units were in a state of potential unsustainability.

Conclusion

The findings of this study underscore the importance of addressing all dimensions of sustainable development in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of rangelands. Specifically, the results highlight that users of winter rangelands face numerous challenges, especially in relation to environmental sustainability, grazing management, and livelihood conditions. Effectively tackling these issues requires focused planning and targeted policy interventions. Two critical factors—livelihood status (which encompasses income and expenditure levels of utilizers) and rangeland utilization patterns (specifically adherence to the technical principles of livestock management)—are pivotal in influencing the sustainability of these rangelands. To improve the sustainability of pastoral units in the region, it is recommended to provide training in both technical and managerial areas, promote alternative livelihoods and sustainable income-generating activities to reduce dependence on rangelands, diversify economic activities, enhance productivity, and ensure adherence to rangeland capacity and readiness. This integrated approach will contribute to sustainable development and the improvement of rural livelihoods while conserving water and soil resources. The implications of these measures may include strengthening stakeholders' sense of ownership and belonging, enhancing active participation in rangeland restoration projects, and fostering mutual trust between beneficiaries and executive agencies.