Impact of Rangelands’ Use Patterns on Rangelands Health and Sustainable Management, North Kordofan State

Abstract

This study was conducted in Elobied North Kordofan at Am Kass rainy season grazing area (Makhraf), located about 25Km from Elobied town. The objective was to study impacts of rangeland use patterns on Rangeland health and Sustainability. The sampling assessing rangeland health (vegetation attributes, soil seed bank and organic matter) for the study was based on identifying the main rangeland sites based on soil type (sandy and gardud soil). Data collected included vegetation attributes for herbaceous and trees (Frequency, Biomass production and densities at each site using transect sample methods. Soil samples were taken to determine soil organic matter and to assess soil seed bank for rangeland health assessment. Socio-economic information was collected from pastoralists using questionnaires. According to main findings nomads are about 78.4 % the nomads stated that soil is deteriorated due to intensive using of rangelands at P ≤ (0.000) and this found accompany low value for soil organic matter 0.36%, 0.32% at Sandy and Gardud1 soil and has there were variations between the two sites in soil seed bank which was higher in gardud site compared with sand, the live seeds and dead densities were (2067 seed/m2, 1728 seed/m2/5 respectively) whereas found low at sandy site ,the live seed and dead densities were 610seed/m2, 676seed/m2 respectively. In addition to this sandy site had the higher plant composition48%, whereas it was lowest at Gardud site 46%, bare soil and lowest plant litters compared to the sand site. Nevertheless the two sites recorded low plant cover, low biomass production which might be a result of the low seed bank in the area. Sandy site was dominated by unpalatable species like: Zornia glochidiata while Gardud site was dominated by Abutilon figrianum.This is also reflected in the low trees density such as Acacia mellifera, Boscia senegalensis was 40 and 15 plant /Ha respectively. On other hand the pastoralists stated that there is change in the range use pattern in term of time of entrance, exist and duration of stay at the grazing season areas. Rainy and summer season. The nomads and sedentary respondents confirmed occurrence invasive species in the area and disappearance of more palatable species such as Blepharislinarifolia and Andropogongayanus. According to the results the study recommended that the rangelands management process should be based on sites characteristics and conditions when applying different rangelands management approaches beside Proper setting livestock routes and summer domains. The plant cover in the sand site should be increased and gardud site needs soil erosion measure particularly water erosion. The study recommended that to concern the variation of soil seed bank and different soil types in rangelands management strategies.