Phytosociological status of the selected sites (Protected site) for assessing the effect of grazing in Kashmir Valley, India

Abstract

Kashmir Valley located in the north-western folds of the Indian Himalayas, has vast land area (16%) under grasslands which play an important role in providing economic goods and ecosystem services to the society. Livestock, particularly the migratory flocks, are entirely dependent on these grasslands. They serve as bedrock for sustaining the core economic activity of livestock rearing in the region. Apart from sustaining this pivotal economic activity, grasslands harbor a rich and endemic biodiversity, and regulate the regional carbon, nutrient and hydrological cycles (Masood, 2003; Anonymous, 2014). The present investigation was conducted at protected site of Yousmarag area of Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir, India during 2014-2015 with the aim to study the effect of grazing on floristic composition of selected site. The data pertaining to protected area (Kanidajan) revealed the presence of thirty six herb species in spring season, the highest density was shown by Cynodon dactylon (363300 ha-1), maximum frequency was observed by Achillea mill folium, and highest abundance was reported in Cynodon dactylon (363300 ha-1). It is evident from the data that out of the thirty six herbaceous species a total of thirty four were recorded in summer season, the highest density was shown by Cynodon dactylon, the maximum frequency (100%) was observed in Achillea mill folium, and maximum abundance was reported in Cynodon dactylon (448300 ha-1). A total of twenty species were found in autumn season amongst the thirty six species reported at this site. Maximum density was again recorded in Cynodon dactylon (215800 ha-1), maximum frequency (100%) was recorded in Cynodon dactylon and highest abundance was reported in Cynodon dactylon. In all three seasons, it was observed that Cynodon dactylon (37.43ha-1) had maximum importance value index (IVI).