Effect of burning on vegetation and range carrying capacity in clay and sandy soils in north Kordofan State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in Northern Kordofan State, Sudan during the seasons 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 to investigate the effects of burning on vegetation performance and range carrying capacity in clay and sandy soils. Four sites were selected in the study area; burned in clay soil, unburned in clay soil, burned in sandy soil and unburned in sandy soil. Vegetation cover, species composition, forage productivity and range carrying capacity were measured in each site. The results showed that plant cover was higher than the other types of cover in burned area in clay soil and in unburned area in sandy soil. Cover of litter was higher in unburned area in both soils. In sandy soil, bare soil was higher in burned site, while in clay soil there was slight increase in bare soil in unburned site. Rock cover was observed only in sandy soil. The plant Oryza longistaminata was dominant in clay soil with higher percentage in burned site associated with Cyperus rotundus and Lippia multiflora with higher percentage in unburned area. The sandy soil was dominated by Aristida mutabilis, Cenchrus biflorus, Eragrostis tremula, Zornia gluchidiata and Fimbristylis dichotomo with 5% or more. The plants Zornia gluchidiata and Fimbristylis dichotomo were higher in unburned site in the two seasons, while the effect of burning on Aristida mutabilis, Cenchrus biflorus was not consistent in the two seasons. Forage productivity and carrying capacity were higher in the unburned sites and the clay soil.