Composition, productivity and impact of grazing on the biodiversity of a grazing land in Almora District

Abstract

Biodiversity of Almora district is heavily affected in the areas with heavy grazing pressure, although moderate grazing enhanced the biodiversity of the area. In the present study site a total of 45 herbaceous species were present and therophytes were dominant among them. Live shoot biomass of plants varied from 175.0±3.5 to 1862.0±5.75 kg/ha and 87.0±3.25 to 1303.0±7.50 kg/ha in ungrazed and grazed plots respectively. Aboveground primary productivity was significantly higher on control plot (3082.2 kg/ha) over grazed plot (2644.0 kg/ha). The average bite frequency per hour was recorded maximum for goats (1106.5 bite/hr) and least for buffalos (920 bites/ hr). The monthly dry matter consumption per animal was amounted to 157.15, 154.51, 68.66 and 61.34 kg for cow, buffalo, sheep and goat respectively under nomadic open grazing. The percent herbage exploitation was observed maximum by sheep (9.82%) and minimum by buffalo (8.75%).

Biomass Variation in The Alpine Pastures of Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh

“…The increase biomass in rainy season could be due to higher translocation of organic matter and the accumulation of dead shoots while lower values in winter season could be due to continuous removal of aboveground parts by heavy grazing which does not allow much of the photosynthates to deposit in their underground parts and also due to completion of life cycle of most of the plants hence death of many plants occurred. Similar results reported by Bawa (1986); Pandey and Singh (1992); Rikhari and Negi (1994); Bhandari et al (1999); Kar (2012) and Prakash and Paliwal (2012). The belowground biomass was recorded maximum at Shikari Devi alpine pasture while minimum was recorded at Tikkagahar alpine pasture during the year.…”

Seasonal Fluctuation in the Floristic Diversity of Prashar Alpine Pasture, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

“…The two species included in the leguminous forbs category were Parochetus communis and Trifolium repens (Table 1). Prakash and Paliwal (2012). In these alpine pastures, the annuals and perennials grow; develop ower and fruits by September/October, thereafter the senescence of aerial parts start, which holds true to the present study sites.…”

Plant Diversity Status in the Alpine Pasture of Shikari Devi, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

“…However, drastic reduction in number of species in winter season may be due to environmental severeness and completion of life cycle of most of plant species. Similar findings were observed by Dhaulakhandi et al (2010a) and Prakash and Paliwal (2012). In these alpine pastures, the annuals and perennials grow; develop flower and fruits by September/October, thereafter the senescence of aerial parts start, which holds true to the present study sites also.…”