The effect of Yazd-Eghlid railway construction on diversity and richness of shrub and Bush-tree rangelands inYazd province

Railway construction is one of the important activities in the development of any country and in developing countries, the need for roads is one of the main axes of development. Railway construction operations can effect on desert rangelands around railway. This study investigates the effects of Yazd-Eghlid railway construction on vegetation diversity and richness in  the rangelands of Kalmand-Bahadoran protected area. For this purpose, random-systematic sampling method was used in four types of vegetation at three distances from the railway (0-250, 250-500, 500-1000). Vegetation parameters and density were measured in each plot. Finally, diversity (Shannon and Simpson), Richness (Margalf and Mannick), number and Evenness indices were calculated by Past software. The data were analyzed in Spss software using analysis of variance and Duncan test. The results of the study showed that railway construction had a significant effect (P <0.01) on diversity and richness and number indices obtained from vegetation percentage data in Artemisia sieberi vegetation type; so that these indices decreased at a distance of 0-250 m from the railway. In Cornulaca monacantha vegetation type, railway construction had a significant effect on the diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson) (P <0.01) and Margalef index obtained from vegetation percentage data (P <0.05) so that they increased in the distance of 0-250 meters from the railway, while they decreased in other regions. In Zygophylum eurypterum vegetation type, Railway construction increased significantly Menhinick (P <0.01) and Margalef (P <0.05) richness indices obtained from vegetation density data at the distance of 0-250 m from the railway. There was no significant difference among regions in terms of diversity and richness indices in Hammada salicornica vegetation type, According to the results, railway construction reduced the diversity and richness in some areas. it should be considered in vegetation restoration programs using native species.