Effects of the construction of Yazd-Eghlid railway on vegetation and soil of shrublands in Kalmand-Bahadoran Protected Area (Yazd Province)

Abstract

Background:  This study investigated the effects of Yazd-Eghlid railway construction on some vegetation and soil characteristics of artemisia and camel grass species located in Kalmand-Bahadoran protected area.Materials and methods:In order to evaluate the vegetation and soil variables in the studied types, random-systematic sampling method was used. Finally, the data obtained from vegetation measurements and soil experiments were analyzed using analysis of variance and Duncan test using SPSS software.Results and discussion:The results of this study showed that the construction of a railway in the Kalmand-Bahadoran protected area and the measures taken during the construction process can have effects on the physical and chemical properties of soil and vegetation, which in the Artemisia type causes There was a significant decrease in the production of plant vegetative form srub (0.81 g) (P <0.05).Conclusion:The construction of the railway and due to the activities that take place during the processes for the construction of the railway line units can cause the movement of soil around the railway, and this action provides the introduction of soil and water erosion in the region, which causes poor and decrease of soil quality around the areas near the railway and consequently the decrease of vegetation production in some areas.