Impact of varying disturbances on the structure and composition of grassland vegetation in Anantnag, Kashmir Himalayas

摘要

Grasslands known for their aesthetic, biological and cultural values are being subjected to varied disturbances like grazing, moving, trampling etc. Owing to overgrazing, degradation of pastures has achieved critical dimensions all across the globe. Jammu and Kashmir with significant population of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities is facing more intense problem of grazing and consequently grasslands have degraded. In fact during the present study mild grazing was found to promote growth of more species in grasslands as against heavy grazing which decreases species number. However total protection from grazers also leads to decrease in species number in grasslands.