Indigenous knowledge capacities in the Range management,

Mohebbi, Ali; Motamedi, Javad; Ephtekhari, Alireza; Naseri, Somaiieh; Abarghani, Akbar; Gelichnia Omrani, Hasan; Habibian, Seiied Mohammad Reza; Siah Mansour, Reza; Ghasemi Arian, Yaser; Hoseini, Seiedeh Habibeh

doi:10.22034/nrsj.2026.241178

Indigenous knowledge capacities in the Range management,

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ali Mohebbi ¹

Javad Motamedi ¹

Alireza Ephtekhari ¹

Somaiieh Naseri ²

Akbar Abarghani ³

Hasan Gelichnia Omrani ⁴

Seiied Mohammad Reza Habibian ⁵

Reza Siah Mansour ⁶

Yaser Ghasemi Arian ¹

Seiedeh Habibeh Hoseini ¹

¹ Research Institute Of Forests And Rangelands (rifr), P.o.box 13185-116, Tehran, Iran.

² Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Semnan, Iran

³ Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ardabil, Iran

⁴ Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Mazandaran, Iran

⁵ Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Fars, Iran

⁶ Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Lorestan Iran

10.22034/nrsj.2026.241178

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge within each ethnic group represents a body of experience-based understanding that enables communities to meet their needs without depleting natural resources. Such knowledge plays a critical role in the sustainable development of societies. This study aims to examine indigenous knowledge related to rangeland management in two key areas—grazing management, and the rehabilitation and development of rangelands—among nomadic tribes with extensive experience in rangeland stewardship. The study was conducted across selected tribes from the provinces of Gilan, Ardabil, Bushehr, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Razavi Khorasan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Semnan, Hamadan, and Isfahan. A qualitative, exploratory research design was adopted, employing a social constructivist paradigm (Reality constructed by society) with ethnography as the primary strategy. Social Learning Theory served as the theoretical framework, During which the indigenous knowledge of the nomads has continued to this day, through observation and imitation. Data were gathered through purposive and theoretical sampling, with the involvement of key informants to ensure depth and validity. Field data collection relied on semi-structured interviews and participant observation, with data collection and analysis conducted concurrently. Theoretical saturation was achieved after engaging 30 participants. This was the stage when no new data was produced as the interview continued. Audio recordings were transcribed, and findings were systematically organized following a postmodern ethnographic approach using a descriptive model.

Keywords

Rangeland management

Customs

Modern knowledge

Nomads