GROUND BIOMASS ASSESSMENT OF SHRUB SPECIES IN TEHSIL TAKHT-E-NASRATI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The shrub biomass of different species of Tehsil Takht-e-Nasrati was different at different altitude. In the present study it was found that the average shrub biomass was decreasing with increasing altitude. Result confirms that the biomass of Saccharum bengalense was high 5020.38 Kg.hec-1 in phase 1 and phase 2 (4331.58 Kg.hec-1). The highest ground biomass 1125.1 Kg.hec-1 of Zizyphus nummularia was found in Phase 3. Furthermore in Phase 4 the biomass of Capparis deciduas was high 437.79 Kg.hec-1. Along with shrubs average biomass of Saccharum bengalense was high 2665.12 Kg.hec-1 and low 13.47 Kg.hec-1 of Cassia angustifolia. With seasons the biomass of Saccharum bengalense (13800 Kg.hec-1) was greater during winter at Phase 1 and Periploc aaphylla (12.35 Kg.hec-1) biomass was lowers during spring at Phase 4. In comparison in season the biomass was high in winter due to the dormant stage of shrubs in phase 1 while it was low in summer in phase 4. In winter the grazing process was stop due to agriculture point of view while in hilly area the grazing was high and the low percentage of rain fall consequently the biomass was high in plain area as contrast to hilly area. The biomass of shrubs is high in winter while it was low in summer as the grazing and palatability rate was high in summer as well as low in winter. The assessment of shrub biomass in research area is a requirement for successful management at the same time as it gives a complete documentation for the area in complexity and work out unpredictable resources to help imagine shrubs potency and behavior.