10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.08

Knowledge to Practice in Rangeland Management and Livestock Health among Nomadic Pastoralists in Fars Province, Iran

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  • Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani*1,
  • Mohammad Reza Shahraki2,
  1. Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
  2. Golestan Province Governorate, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran

Received: 2024-08-23

Revised: 2025-04-15

Accepted: 2025-06-22

Published in Issue 2026-03-31

Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Abedi Sarvestani, Mohammad Reza Shahraki (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Abedi Sarvestani, A., & Shahraki, M. R. (2026). Knowledge to Practice in Rangeland Management and Livestock Health among Nomadic Pastoralists in Fars Province, Iran. Journal of Rangeland Science, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.08
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Abstract

Nomadic pastoralists play a vital role in managing and sustaining the range livestock production, yet their traditional knowledge often faces challenges amid environmental degradation and climate change. Despite their experience, a gap persists between what they know and what they can effectively practice. Understanding this gap is crucial for designing sustainable interventions. This study examined the knowledge and practices of nomadic pastoralists in Fars Province, Iran, focusing on rangeland management and livestock health, and how these factors influence livestock production. A stratified random sample of 248 nomadic household heads was surveyed using the validated questionnaires. Index reliability was confirmed (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.702–0.827; composite reliability > 0.7). Findings revealed a significant knowledge-practice disparity: the average scores for rangeland management knowledge and practice were 0.83 and 0.31 (out of 2), respectively while scores for livestock health were higher, 1.65 for knowledge and 1.49 for practice. Structural equation modeling showed that livestock health practices had a strong positive impact on production (β = 0.329, p < 0.01), whereas current rangeland management practices negatively affected it (β = -0.322, p < 0.01). These results highlight pastoralists' difficulties in applying sustainable rangeland practices, likely due to climate pressures and limited institutional support. The study emphasizes the need for practical training and policy support to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and to enhance resilience in arid pastoral systems.

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