RANGE INVENTORY AND EVALUATION OF ZALINGEI AREA VEGETATION. WESTERN DARFUR STATE, SUDAN

Abstract

Two studies were conducted for two consecutive seasons 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 in a semi-arid Savannah zone, at Zalingei town perimeter, two kilometers east of Zalingei town , western Darfur state. The aim of the research was to evaluate the vegetation type, vegetation cover, their composition and frequency in addition to their biomass production. Species- area- curve and Parker Loop Methods were used to determine the range inventory in the selected area.Vegetation cover survey measurements during the dry season showed that the area was dominated by grasses mainly Abuasabi (Dactyloctenium aegyptium) and Ghabash (Schonefeldia gracilis) with some herbs and shrubs and few trees Kiter (Acacia mellifera) Haraz trees (Faidherbia albida), with low composition and frequency. Vegetation cover was about (33-38%) and biomass production was 0.679 ton/ha, which is very low to hold the targeted animals in the area. Their composition and frequency during the rainy season were extremely high, which coupled with moderately high plant and forage density indices of 85.25% and 79.75%, respectively.