Abstract
This study was conducted to know the impact of enclosure on plant covers dynamics and biomass production in Ewa district. A total of 13 species of grasses, 2 species of legumes, and 4 species of other herbaceous plants were identified in both grazing areas. Of the grass species, 15.3%, 30.8%, 38.6% and 15.3% were highly desirable, desirable, less desirable and undesirable respectively. The grass species dominant in communal grazing areas were Chryspogon plumolosus (22.1%) and Tragus beteronianus (20.6%) whereas Cenchrus ciliaris (21.2%) was dominant in the enclosure area. A higher (P<0.05) total grass biomass production and total herbaceous biomass production were obtained in the enclosure areas than in communal grazing areas while in case of non-grass biomass production, there was no any significant different (P<0.05) between the two grazing areas. In general, the result showed that in species composition and biomass production communal grazing areas have deteriorated which may need an immediate intervention, while the enclosure areas need a sustainable conservation of their present condition by considering alternative management that allows selectively and carefully timed utilization.
Highlights
In Afar region livestock are mainly depend on communal rangeland, which are over-grazed and invaded by poor quality grasses and noxious tree species
Most of the grazing areas of Afar region are exposed to overgrazing because of this the availability of animal feed decline both in quality and quantity, making excluding livestock from the grazing areas causes an improvement in the rangeland condition and turn lead to improvements in fodder and compared to unenclosed land, range enclosure provide more feed and as result livestock produce more milk
It can be concluded that the enclosure areas have been effective in restoring plant species composition, biomass and cover of herbaceous species and the enclosure areas were in a better condition than the communal grazing areas
Summary
In Afar region livestock are mainly depend on communal rangeland, which are over-grazed and invaded by poor quality grasses and noxious tree species. Its negative effect is excessive removal of the living parts of the high range value species, which may lead to their extinction. This factor is being more harmful when coupled with the climate aridity effect. Most of the grazing areas of Afar region are exposed to overgrazing because of this the availability of animal feed decline both in quality and quantity, making excluding livestock from the grazing areas causes an improvement in the rangeland condition and turn lead to improvements in fodder and compared to unenclosed land, range enclosure provide more feed and as result livestock produce more milk
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