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Email this article Effect of Climate Change on Rangeland Biodiversity at Selected Sites of Khartoum State
Abstract
Climate change on the biodiversity of natural resources in Eastern Nile and Northwestern Omdurman has been assessed during two successive years (2011 and 2012). Three sites were selected in Eastern Nile (Wadi Tundub, Wadi El Farish and Wadi Abuseweid) and four Northwestern Omdurman (Wadi Medaisees, Wadi Buhat, Goz Abu Dolou'a Km72, and Goz Abu Dolou'a Km 42, 'G42'. The seven sites selected were within Khartoum state. Random sampling design was used to measure vegetation quantities. For browse production, the Twig Count Method was used. Parker Loop Method was employed to identify plant density index, forage density index. Acetolysis Method was used for recent sheep, goats and camels' feces pollen count to identify their diet. The Range Evaluation Site Method and the Pasture Condition Scoring were used to assess range condition at the study sites. Plant samples were assessed for their nutritional value and mineral contents and to test seasonal change in nutritive value. Results showed that different sites had different type of woody browse species, where A.ehrenbergiana showed the highest (P <0.05) twig production at Tundub which was also dominant at this site, A .radiana showed the highest (P <0.05) production and dominant at Buhat, while A. nubica was the highest (P <0.05) and dominant at Medaisees. For the effect of site, A. ehrenbergiana still showed the highest (P <0.05) production at Tundub compared to the other species, while both A. ehrenbergiana and A .radiana were dominant (P <0.05) at Farish. Within both years, mid rainy season production was better (P <0.01) than end season. Year 2012 browse production was better than year (P <0.01) than year 2011. Abseweid followed by Medaisees showed the highest (P <0.05) diversity for both seasons and within year 2011, within the year 2012, Medaisees followed by Farish showed better diversity of woody species. Dominance of Aacia radiana was observed at Abuseweid while Leptadenia pyrotechnica was abundant at Medaisees. Total percent woody cover was best at Tundub (49.61%) with best species (6) diversity; however, highest total percent woody cover (89.41%) was observed at Buhat but poorest species (3) diversity. Year 2012 showed better densities, composition and ground cover for all species and for all sites. Best results were obtained for Abuseweid followed by Farish followed by Medaisees or Buhat. Effect of year on species production showed that A. mutabilis showed the highest increase in percent in three sites (Abuseweid, Farish, and Tundub). Next was A.gracizans at Medaisees and Buhat.
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