Effect of Intensive Grazing Around Water Points on Range Condition

Abstract

This study was conducted in 2005 at Elnuhud locality, Western Kordofan State, Sudan (latitudes 27^°-29^° north and longitudes 14^°-20^°East). The study was aimed to compare the effects of grazing intensity within two and six kilometers around permanents water points. Five sites (Elkhuwi, Ankosh, Elrowiana, Khamas Eldonky and Umdefais) were chosen randomly for the study. The results indicated that there were significant differences in plants frequency and density in areas around water points when compared with those far from them. Also the dominant plant species were different according to location. Plants that dominated around water points were Abutilon figarianum, Acanthespermum hespidum, Amaranthus grecisans, Zornia glochidiata and Ruela patula and their frequencies were 18.2, 17.4, 12.9, 9.8 and 8.9 % respectively. Plants that were dominant on sites far from water points were Eragrostic tremula, Cenchrus biflorus, Stylosanthesis flavicans, Aristida pallida and Fimbristylis dichotomo where their frequencies were 19, 13, 12, 11.5 and 11.4% respectively. There were significant differences (p≥0.05) in forage production according to location. Higher biomass of 173kg/hectare was obtained from sites far from water points, while 60.7 kg/hectare in sites around water points. Carrying capacity was 3.6 at sites far from water points and 10.5 hectare/animal unit/year around water points. Range condition was poor around water points and excellent on sites far from water points.