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<p>This study investigates the effects of grazing and land abandonment on the physicochemical properties of soil in a semi-arid region in Iran. The experimental design included five land abandonment periods, ranging from less than 5&#xa0;years to more than 30&#xa0;years, combined with grazing and non-grazing conditions. Soil samples were collected from 30 experimental units, analyzing various physical and chemical properties, including bulk density, porosity, pH, soil particle distribution, and hydraulic conductivity. The results revealed significant effects of both grazing and land abandonment duration on soil structure. As abandonment duration increased, bulk density decreased, while soil porosity, mean weight diameter, and geometric mean diameter improved. Longer abandonment periods also enhanced water infiltration parameters, promoting soil structure recovery. These findings confirm that properly managed land abandonment, especially in non-grazed areas, can significantly improve soil physicochemical properties over time, with notable changes occurring after at least 15&#xa0;years of abandonment. Therefore, we conclude that integrating long-term abandonment periods (&gt; 15&#xa0;years) with controlled grazing is a key strategy for restoring soil health and ensuring the ecological sustainability of semi-arid rangelands.</p>

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Long-term effects of land abandonment and grazing on soil physicochemical properties in semi-arid rangelands of Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月3日

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  • M. Jalilpour,
  • E. Chavoshi,
  • P. Tahmasebi

摘要

This study investigates the effects of grazing and land abandonment on the physicochemical properties of soil in a semi-arid region in Iran. The experimental design included five land abandonment periods, ranging from less than 5 years to more than 30 years, combined with grazing and non-grazing conditions. Soil samples were collected from 30 experimental units, analyzing various physical and chemical properties, including bulk density, porosity, pH, soil particle distribution, and hydraulic conductivity. The results revealed significant effects of both grazing and land abandonment duration on soil structure. As abandonment duration increased, bulk density decreased, while soil porosity, mean weight diameter, and geometric mean diameter improved. Longer abandonment periods also enhanced water infiltration parameters, promoting soil structure recovery. These findings confirm that properly managed land abandonment, especially in non-grazed areas, can significantly improve soil physicochemical properties over time, with notable changes occurring after at least 15 years of abandonment. Therefore, we conclude that integrating long-term abandonment periods (> 15 years) with controlled grazing is a key strategy for restoring soil health and ensuring the ecological sustainability of semi-arid rangelands.