The effect of utilization levels on range condition at water points as indicator for proper range management, Baja area, White Nile State

Abstract

The study was conducted in Baja area west of Eldieum in White Nile around Elharit water yard, the study area was divided into three overlapping circle taking the water yard as a center. In each circle four transects were laid down to study the range plants. The socio-economic and results covered forty respondent among nomads indicated that the Baja area visited by most of the tribes living north and south White Nile State and around Khartoum area. Water availability is problematic in the Baja area and has its impacts in range utilization since range resources around the few existing water point for example Elharit water yard imposed heavy utilization on the range resources around this point. It is found that the time of entrance and time of exit and duration of stay of nomads is dictated by the herding structure since cattle raiser enter late and stay shorter compared with small livestock and camel breeder. Nomads started to diversify their source of income especially those who are semi-nomadic. The last drought in 1984 and the great loss of livestock at that time could be among the reasons that motivate herders to adopt some agricultural activities even in small land holding. The study showed that there is a variation in range condition around water points as indicated by distances from it. This variation showed specific pattern of change, which could be used as indication to determine the quantity and quality of efforts required for sustainable management. Although rainfall amount and distribution is considered as primary reasons affecting range condition around water points as expressed by grazing intensity, but the relative dominance showed by Cenchrus spp. in zone I may explain that other factors such as spatial heterogeneity in soil and characteristics of seed dispersion may interfere. The grazing intensity around water points seem to affect the vegetation composition specifically the animals since Dactyloctenium aegyptium was detected with a reasonable dominance in zone III but not easy in other zones.