Range condition around water points in summer camping areas, South Kordofan State, Sudan

This study was conducted at Kadugli localiy, South Kordofan State, at two site; at Hafir (Reservoir) Kolaba, Morata (Close to water points) and Elsheir and Elganai (Far from water points) for two consecutive years (2006/07 and 2007/08) covering both rainy and dry seasons. The objectives were to evaluate range conditions in South Kordofan State and to quantify the effects of over-utilization of range resources. The field data was laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial experiment. Factors studied were proximity to water points (close to water points and far from water points), soil type (sandy loams soil and Clay soils). The botanical composition, density and forage production were measured using a loop (3/4") along line transects and quadrates (1m2). The sampling of range vegetation for proximate chemical composition was done at three growth stages (before flowering, after flowering and after seed setting). The results showed high significant (P 0.01) differences in species composition, desirable species composition, litter, bare soil, rocks, animal faeces, forage production, vegetation cover and plant density between range areas close to water points and range areas far from water points. Range areas close to water points had higher bare soil (P 0.0l) percentage (17.4) and lower carrying capacity. Range areas on clay soil had higher vegetation cover, species composition and forage production compared with range areas on sandy loams soil. CP and ash contents of range vegetation were found to decrease with increased plant growth stage while the CF, DM, OM and NFE had increased. Range areas far from water points were dominated by tall annual grasses (e.g. Um Raggo; Hyparrhenia confinis). The range condition was classified as excellent during rainy season due to lower livestock numbers in South Kordofan at this time of the year, good in range far from water points on both clay and sandy loams soils whereas range condition in range areas close to water points was classified as fair. The study suggested that water points should be well distributed in the rangelands of South Kordofan State and that temporary water facilities (water bags, tankers, .etc) could be used to enable exploiting the under-utilized water-scarce areas. More research is needed to study the effects of grazing near and around artificial and seasonal water points. There is also a high need for systematic monitoring of range vegetation to enable detecting changes and to help in in situ and ex situ conservation of endangered range plants