Grazing intensity and its impact on plant performance at semi-arid zone of Sudan

Abstract

Livestock grazing can affect the herbaceous composition by making changes to the vegetation coverage. Plant species contribute to the largest proportion of the fodder. Despite the profound benefits obtained, anthropogenic disturbances are hindering its development. The study was carried at Umkaddada locality, North Darfur State, for years 2017 and 2018 to investigate the effect of grazing intensity on plant density and species. A total of twenty random line transects in unprotected area were conducted, quadrats of 1×1 m2 size were laid down at 50 m intervals along every transect, and data were analyzed by t-test to compare data. The result showed the higher number of plants subjected to grazing was at level (III) with the percentage of 52.9% at the late of first season, and showed that there was 39.4% at level (I) at early of the second season. Also the result showed that the higher number of species not subjected to grazing was 100% at early of the first season, and the result showed there was 100% grazing at level (III) at the late of second season. The study concluded that grazing intensity of level (II) and more may have significant effect on plant growth.