Animal diet botanical composition compared with pasture species composition as indicators for pasture status in the semi-arid rangeland of Sudan (South Darfur State)

摘要

A study was conducted during the period 2006/08 in the semi-arid rangeland of South DarfurState, Sudan at Eldien locality (latitudes 9°-30? and 11°-45? north and longitudes 25°-30?and 27°east, ecologically in the low rainfall woodland savannah with an annual rainfall between 400-600mm).. The objective of the study was to evaluate animal diet botanical composition in comparisonwith pasture species composition as indicators for pasture status in the area. Data were collectedfor pasture species composition (Parker loop method, 1955) and animal diet botanicalcomposition (Van Dyne Method,1968) over two years both in early wet and late dry summerseasons. Results showed that diet botanical composition was composed of pure herbaceousplant species during rainy and early dry summer seasons and a mixture of browse andherbaceous species in the late dry summer season. Calcium in animal diet was present in asuitable concentration, whereas phosphorous was present at low concentration. Although thepercent species composition of the natural pasture provides an indicator of range composition,animal diet botanical composition could be used as an indicator of the pasture status. Bothparameters could be very useful in designing range management practices, such as selectingspecies required for reseeding deteriorated range and in identifying key species that will form abase for range management.