Analysis of the most important problems of rangelands and presentation of management solutions from the viewpoint of stakeholders and experts (Case study: Chaharbagh rangelands of Golestan province)

Background and objectives: Protecting rangelands and preventing the destruction of these valuable resources requires serious efforts and appropriate measures to ensure sustainable use and comprehensive and integrated management of rangelands, and these measures and planning should provide optimal and sustainable use of rangelands along with meeting the needs and improving the conditions of stakeholders. Recognizing the problems and challenges and subsequently providing management solutions in rangelands will provide the basis for the use of different potentials and functions in rangeland ecosystems and will facilitate the achievement of sustainable development of rangeland. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the most important issues and problems of rangeland in Chaharbagh region of Golestan province and providing management solutions from the viewpoint of stakeholders and experts. Methodology: This research was applied based on the purpose of the study and descriptive-analytical in theme and collects data using survey and documentary methods. The statistical population of this study included stakeholders and experts familiar with the studied subject in Golestan province. The sample size was determined by available and non-random sampling method and 31 experts and 38 stakeholders participated in this study. After designing the questionnaire and confirming the validity using the opinion of experts and specialists, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine the level of reliability. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was obtained 0.81 and 0.83 for the questionnaire of stakeholders and experts, respectively that indicates appropriate reliability of questionnaires. In order to identify the existing problems and issues and provide solutions, the results were scored and prioritized by using the importance index (Iindex) coefficient and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The amounts of effect with very high and high were identified as influential factors. The hierarchical analysis process is one of the most comprehensive systems designed for decision making with multiple criteria, using Expert choice software, that weight and importance of each criterion was determined. Results: According to the importance index (Iindex), the amount of effect on the Likert scale as well as the weight of each problem, drought and lack of rainfall with the value of the importance index (98.3) and weight (0.088), Non-payment of compensation in case of crisis and drought by the government (lack of livestock and rangeland insurance) with the value of the Iindex (83.3) and weight (0.072) and decision-making only by officials and non-participation of stakeholders with the index of importance (80) and weight ( 0.066) were the most important problems and issues, respectively. According to experts’ viewpoint, uncontrolled grazing and excessive number of livestock is the most important problem with the highest Iindex (81.7) and weight (0.077). Then, there are early and untimely grazing with importance index (80) and weight (0.076) and untimely exit of livestock with importance index (75.8) and weight (0.072), respectively. In the presented solutions based on the viewpoint of stakeholders and experts, livestock grazing management and granting facilities for the purchase of forage, especially in times of drought, had the highest value index (88.7) and the highest weight (0.114). Then, there are training stakeholders to earn income and create jobs from the potentials of medicinal and industrial plants in the study region and increase the income of the stakeholders by providing credits and loans for buying hives and beekeeping, respectively. Conclusion: The problems and reasons for degradation of this rangeland were divided into four main categories according to the stakeholders and experts opinion: A) Drought and consequently lack of water resources b) Weak grazing management c) Weakness of organization and lack of preventive laws and regulations d) Economic issues and low income of stakeholders. Also, the management strategies presented in this study classified as combating to drought and lack of rainfall, job creation and multi-purpose use of various functions of rangelands in the form of cooperatives, implementing the principles of livestock grazing management and implement the rules and regulations created by executive agencies. Finally, according to the often common viewpoints of stakeholders and experts, the results of the issues and problems as well as solutions can be accepted with more confidence