Biomass availability and forage quality of Eurotia ceratoides Mey in the rangelands of Changthang, eastern Ladakh

Rangeland conditions can be assessed based on the biomass availability and nutrient quality of major forage plants. While conducting ecological studies on the rangelands of Changthang, eastern Ladakh, we assessed the above-ground biomass and nutrient quality of Eurotia ceratoides Mey (Chenopodiaceae...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current science (Bangalore) 2005-07, Vol.89 (1), p.201-205
Main Authors: Uniyal, Sanjay Kr, Awasthi, Anjali, Rawat, Gopal S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alluvial fans
Biomass
Forage
Instrumentation
Lignin
Livestock
Plants
Rangeland ecology
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Sloping terrain
Winter
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Summary:Rangeland conditions can be assessed based on the biomass availability and nutrient quality of major forage plants. While conducting ecological studies on the rangelands of Changthang, eastern Ladakh, we assessed the above-ground biomass and nutrient quality of Eurotia ceratoides Mey (Chenopodiaceae), a common shrub in the area, following standard methods. Its density, cover and biomass were highest in the lower slopes and sandy plains, while it was completely absent in the marsh meadows. Nutritive quality of Eurotia was found to be significantly (P < 0.005) higher compared to other dominant species. As expected, a seasonal variation in nutrients was found. Crude protein content decreased from 21% in summer to 12% in winter, whereas anti-quality factors increased during winter. Patterns and processes of Eurotia degradation and its implications for the management of rangelands are discussed.
ISSN:0011-3891