Seasonal changes in pasture biomass, production and offtake under the transhumance system in northern Pakistan

Omer, R. M.; Hester, Alison J.; Gordon, Iain J.; Swaine, Michael; Raffique, S. M.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.03.008

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Grassland productivity in the Hindu Kush Karakoram region was found to increase with elevation, reaching a maximum in the sub-alpine zone. The high productivity in alpine zone is attributed to both the seasonal amplitude (maximum plant growth/photosynthesis) and the extended length of the growing season in the zone, which is similar to the findings of previous ground-based assessments [14]. The high-mountain pastures in the alpine range provide good forage for livestock during the growing season and therefore represent a very important part of the transhumance system.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

An Assessment of Productivity Patterns of Grass-Dominated Rangelands in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Region, Pakistan

et al. 2016

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Rangelands in the Hindu Kush Karakoram region provide a resource base for nomadic livestock grazing, which is one of the major traditional livelihood practices in the area. The present study assessed the spatiotemporal patterns and trends of rangelands using satellite remote-sensing time-series data. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data, collected at fortnightly intervals over 12 years (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012), were used as a proxy for the vegetation conditions of the grasslands. The analysis revealed that rangeland productivity increased with increasing elevation up to the sub-alpine zone, which had a higher productivity than the moist temperate zone and humid sub-tropical zone. The high sub-alpine productivity was attributed to seasonal amplitude and the extended length of the growing season in the phenological cycle. In the temporal analysis of productivity, the majority of the area exhibited improvements in vegetation conditions, which were strongest in the humid sub-tropical zones and weakest in the alpine zones. The sub-alpine grasslands were found to be the most productive and heterogeneous habitat; however, the relatively strong negative temporal trend in productivity in this zone indicates ongoing degradation in these rangelands. Thus, special attention is needed for the sustainable management of rangelands in the sub-alpine zones of the Hindu Kush Karakoram region.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

An Assessment of Productivity Patterns of Grass-Dominated Rangelands in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Region, Pakistan

et al. 2016

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“…Warmer conditions and less snow accumulation at lower elevations result in forage growing earlier in spring than at higher altitudes but also maturing and losing quality earlier such that the highest quality forage will move in a "green wave" up the altitudinal gradient over summer as the snowline recedes (Frank et al 1998;Hobbs and Gordon 2010). Livestock in transhumance systems as well as wildlife such as bison, elk, and bighorn sheep track this high-quality green wave upslope into higher altitude regions during the growing season (Festa-Bianchet 1988; Albon and Langvatn 1992;Frank et al 1998;Omer et al 2006;Hebblewhite and Merrill 2007). If forage across the available landscape all matured at the same time then herbivores would have a much shorter period of access to optimal quality forage over the growing season (Hobbs and Gordon 2010).…”

Section: Heterogeneity and Herbivore Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterogeneity as the Basis for Rangeland Management

Fuhlendorf

Fynn

McGranahan

et al. 2017

Springer Series on Environmental Management

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Rangeland management, like most disciplines of natural resource management, has been characterized by human efforts to reduce variability and increase predictability in natural systems (steady-state management often applied through a command-and-control paradigm). Examples of applications of traditional command and control in natural resource management include wildfire suppression, fences to control large ungulate movements, predator elimination programs, and watershed engineering for flood control and irrigation. Recently, a robust theoretical foundation has been developed that focuses on our understanding of the importance of variability in nature. This understanding is built upon the concept of heterogeneity, which originated from influential calls to consider spatial and temporal scaling in ecological research. Understanding rangeland ecosystems from a resilience perspective where we recognize that these systems are highly variable in space and time cannot be achieved without a focus on heterogeneity across multiple scales. Most people view averages as basic reality and variation as a device for calculating a meaningful measure of central tendency ……. Central tendency is a harmful abstraction and variation stands out as the only meaningful reality-Stephen Jay Gould-Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to DarwinWe highlight the broad importance of heterogeneity to rangelands and focus more specifically on (1) animal populations and production, (2) fire behavior and management, and (3) biodiversity and ecosystem function. Rangelands are complex, dynamic, and depend on the variability that humans often attempt to control to ensure long-term productivity and ecosystem health. We present an ecological perspective that targets variation in rangeland properties-including multiple ecosystem services-as an alternative to the myopic focus on maximizing agricultural output, which may expose managers to greater risk. Globally, rangeland science indicates that heterogeneity and diversity increase stability in ecosystem properties from fine to broad spatial scales and through time.

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“…Pasture biomass, in kg green dry matter per hectare (kg GDM/ha), is usually measured by destructive sampling, e.g., [7,8]. This technique has several disadvantages such as being time consuming, labour intensive, increasingly destructive with multiple measurements and it requires a significant amount of sample treatment (dissecting, drying, weighing).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Combination of Plant NDVI and LiDAR Measurements Improve the Estimation of Pasture Biomass in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea var. Fletcher)

2016

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Abstract:The total biomass of a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea var. Fletcher) pasture was assessed by using a vehicle mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) unit to derive canopy height and an active optical reflectance sensor to determine the spectro-optical reflectance index, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In a random plot design, measurements of NDVI and pasture height were combined to estimate biomass with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) equal to˘455.28 kg green dry matter (GDM)/ha, over a range of 286 kg to 3933 kg GDM/ha. The combination of NDVI and height measurements were observed to be more accurate in assessing total biomass than just the NDVI (RMSEP˘846.51 kg/ha) and height (RMSEP˘708.13 kg/ha). Based on the results of the study it was concluded the use of combined LiDAR and active optical reflectance sensors can help unlock the complex interrelationship between green fraction and biomass in swards containing both green and senescent material.

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Seasonal changes in pasture biomass, production and offtake under the transhumance system in northern Pakistan

Cited by 22 publications

References 22 publications

An Assessment of Productivity Patterns of Grass-Dominated Rangelands in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Region, Pakistan

An Assessment of Productivity Patterns of Grass-Dominated Rangelands in the Hindu Kush Karakoram Region, Pakistan

Heterogeneity as the Basis for Rangeland Management

A Combination of Plant NDVI and LiDAR Measurements Improve the Estimation of Pasture Biomass in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea var. Fletcher)

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