The Impact of Turus (Terrace) Cultivation System on Plant Community of Goz el Ahamda Range Land (Butana Province, Gezira State)

Abstract

The impact of traditional Turus cultivation on Goz el Ahamda plant community is studied. Goz el Ahamda is a range land in Butana Province, Gezira State. The study compared the Goz community as a natural one, with the Turus cultivation as a man-made community. Five parameters were investigated : plant density, frequency, cover, dry weight and diversity. The study revealed that there are no significant differences between the Turus community and the Goz community in plant density and plant dry weight. Significant differences were noted in plant cover, frequency and plant diversity; the Turus community being always higher than the Goz community in the three parameters. Both species and families were higher in number in the Turus community. The results could be regarded as an indication of the improvement in the Goz community due to human interference. The study calls for further studies, and urges the government to adopt an integrated development plan to better manage such types of sensitive areas of natural resources.