Evaluating Restoration Methods A Cross A Range of Plant Communities Dominated by Invasive Annual Grasses to Native Perennial Grasses

Mohammed Abdulatife

doi:10.7176/jbah/9-19-01

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine whether there are differences in plant community response to restoration methods & to create awareness among the pastoralists/ agro-pastoralists on how to restore degraded rangeland. Six treatments were established: (1) ripping, mulching and seeding (2) ripping, manuling and seeding (3) ripping, mulching, manuling and seeding (4) control. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with factorial and replicated three times in each plant community. Each treatment plot was 3m by 6m, and depending on the treatment assigned to the plot, measurements for the vegetations were taken from those plots. Seeds of perennials, large tufted and palatable grass species were selected for reseeding purpose i.e., Andropogon canaliculatus, Tetrapogon cenchriformis, Panicum coloratum and Chrysopogon plumolosus. The study was carried out over the last three rainy seasons from 2015/16 and 2017/ 2018. Data were collected from germination to dry matter yield within three years of the experimental years. Accordingly, the result showed as variation clearly observed among the restoration treatments to different plant community. There is a significant difference at (P<0.05) rangeland parameters collected in all Restoration methods in each seasons. A total of 18 species of grasses were identified in the study district. Of the grass species 11(61.1%) species were perennials and 7 (38.9%) species were annuals. In Perennial plant community with Restoration Methods of Ri+Ma+Mu+Se was significant difference at (P<0.05) in the three consecutive seasons in Biomass production. The highest Biomass production was observed in the third season of implementation time which was 2.37 ton/ha while the lowest biomass production was observed in the first season of implementation period in control one which was 1 ton/ha. In Mixed plant community with Restoration Methods of Ri+Ma+Mu+Se was significant difference at (P<0.05) in the three consecutive seasons in Biomass production. The highest Biomass production was observed in the third season of implementation time which was 1.75 ton/ha while the lowest biomass production was observed in the first season of implementation period in control one which was 0.83 ton/ha. Therefore, we conclude that from this finding, perennial plant community with Restoration methods of Ri+Ma+Mu+Se is more effective method to rehabilitate denuded rangeland areas in semi-arid areas and also Annual plant community with Restoration methods of Ri+Ma+Mu+Se has shown dramatic result to improved range resources within short period of time. However, continuous onsite training & practical demonstration was very crucial to enhance the adoption rate of those Restoration methods. Keywords: Restoration Methods, plant community, Germination, Basal cover & Biomass Yield DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-19-01 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Highlights

The Afar Region is located in the North Eastern lowlands of Ethiopia, with the area of about 100,860 km2 (IBANRS, 2000) and the topography of the region varies from hilly escarpment in the western and southern edges with an altitude of 1000-1500 m.a.s.l to lowland plains that fall in the altitude of 0-100 m.a.s.l
Result & Discussion 4.1 Herbaceous Species Composition, Use Values & Relative Abundance 4.1.1 First Implementation Year Annual Plant Community In first year trial, total grass species recorded in Annual plant community was 12 (6 annuals and 6 perennials) but the frequency or the occurrence of annuals grasses greater than perennial grasses in each plots
In restoration techniques (R+M+S & R+ Ma+ S), less desirable grass specie like Aristida adoenesis were commonly found and undesirable grass species like Tragus beteronianus & Brachiaria eruciformis were dominantly found in each experimental plots while in restoration techniques (R+ M+ Ma+ S), desirable grass like Dactyloctenium www.iiste.org aegypticum & Digitaria milanjana were presented in each experimental plots

Summary

Introduction

The Afar Region is located in the North Eastern lowlands of Ethiopia, with the area of about 100,860 km (IBANRS, 2000) and the topography of the region varies from hilly escarpment in the western and southern edges with an altitude of 1000-1500 m.a.s.l to lowland plains that fall in the altitude of 0-100 m.a.s.l. The Region has a total number of 2,546,790 cattle, 2,541,920 sheep, 4,398,590 goats, 884,290 camels, 189,330 donkeys, 900 horses and 3,340 mules (CSA, 2004). Camels, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys constitute the main productive assets of the local community. The primary feed sources for this large number of livestock are rangelands composed of indigenous species of grasses, shrubs and fodder trees. Most of these grass species are subjected to continuous threat of genetic erosion and extinction due to over grazing, rangeland degradation, undesirable plant encroachment (like Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus, Calotropis procera, Tribulis terrestris, Sida ovata, Cryptostegia grandiflora etc.) (APARI, 2005) and Acacia nubica dominantly invaded the rangeland areas in Chifra district (Mohammed, 2009)

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Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion