Range Plants preferred by camels in Semi-AridZone atKalemando Locality -North DarfurState –Sudan

Abstract

There was growing pressure on natural resources, especially rangelands, in the last three decades due to an increase in human population and in animal numbers. The rangelands were also impacted by climate change, desertification, agricultural expansion and overgrazing. Decreased amounts of rainfall and its fluctuation from one year to the other as well as its uneven distribution within the same year have impoverished the natural rangelands. Intensive grazing early in the plant lifecycle before seed set exacerbated the situation. Camels are capable of grazing on semidesert regions that are characterized by low rainfall and scarcity of grazing resources. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the range resources found in these areas both qualitatively and quantitatively so asto trace the change in the condition of the rangeland as well as managing it, so as to preserve and improveit through appropriate interventions such as reseeding. In the present study, the condition of rangeland at Kalemando Locality in the Northern Darfur State has been evaluated through carrying out some measurements of rangelands in the years 2013 and 2014 during the seed set stage. Data were collected, on some household attributes, the number of livestock, the favorite plans to camels and the diseases that affect camels, as well as the socio-economic condition of herders within the Locality. Measurements of plants were conducted in the rainy season of 2013 while a questionnaire was distributed to (50) respondents from herder communities. In additionthree focused groups' discussions were held. The main objectives of this study were to find out the natural rangeland plants that are preferred by camels. In order to achieve this objective, the study was divided into two main areas namely: the rangeland south and north of Umkadoya. These areas were chosen in order to collect enough information needed for