Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Analysis of the Adaptive Capacity of Qashqai Nomads in Response to Climate Change in Rangelands of Shiraz County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamid Reza Rostam Morad Doghzlou 1
Hamid Reza Naseri 2
Ali Tavili 1
Sara Jalilian 3
1 Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
2 Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
3 Department of Sustainable Agriculture Promotion and Education, Faculty of Economics and Agricultural Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
10.22047/srjasnr.2025.524809.1132
Abstract
This study investigated the perceptions and adaptive capacity of Qashqai nomads in the mid-range rangelands of Shiraz County in response to climate change. The objective was to analyze herders’ understanding of climate change indicators and to assess various dimensions of adaptive capacity—including economic, social, infrastructural, knowledge-based, and governmental policy aspects—in order to propose strategies for enhancing livelihood resilience. The research followed a descriptive-survey method using a structured questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by experts and reliability assessed using Cronbach's alpha: 0/773 for climate perception and 0/772 for adaptive capacity. The statistical population included nomads from the Sheshboluki and Rahimlu tribes, with 79 members of the fifth-term tribal council selected through purposeful and complete sampling. Results showed that the nomads had a moderate to high perception of climate change (mean = 3/23), particularly identifying reduced snowfall and drying water resources as the most evident signs, whereas increased pest outbreaks and wind pattern changes were perceived as less significant indicators. Among the dimensions of adaptive capacity, the knowledge-based aspect had the highest mean score (2/33), while the economic (1/86) and governmental policy (1/94) dimensions had the lowest. The Friedman test confirmed significant differences among these dimensions. Structural equation modeling did not reveal a significant relationship between climate perception and adaptive capacity. Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance nomadic resilience to climate change by strengthening cooperatives, offering integrated indigenous and modern training programs, ensuring equitable distribution of technology, and providing targeted support to vulnerable households.
Keywords
Adaptive capacity
Climate perception
Mid-altitude rangelands
Qashqai nomads
Rangeland users
Subjects
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Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Volume 11, Issue 1
June 2026
Pages 77-92