Assessing the Current situation of Rangeland in Elbaja Area, White Nile State

Abstract

This study was conducted in Habeela area, in EI Duim locality in White Nile State, in 2019. The aim of this study was to assess the current situation of Habeela rangeland thorough the determination the vegetation attributes and soil seed bank. Tow site were selected randomly (grazed and un-grazed) area located by using GPS (Global Positioning System). Transect of length (100m), quadrate size (1 1m) and parker loop3/4 were used to determine vegetation attributes. Soil sample was taken form three depths (0-5, 6-10 and 11-15 cm) to assess soil seed bank. Soil subsamples were washed to separate the soil from seeds and soak in water 40 minutes for dead seeds separation. Lives seed were soaking in Calcium Chloride for 40 minutes. The data were analyzed using SAS statistical program, Duncan procedure for mean separation. The results of this study showed that, the biomass production was low, and also low carrying capacity of rangeland. In addition, the study found that Schoenfeldia gracilis was a high species density reached about 75 plant/m² and high species composition of the rangeland which made it dominant species. The study concluded that the low percent of these plants consider a strong indicator of the deterioration of this range site. This study recommended that to reseeding palatable plants and avoid over grazing.