10.57647/j.jrs.2025.1502.17

Assessment of productivity, grazing capacity and rangeland value of grazed herbages of Falmey Rangelands South Western part of Niger Republic

PDF
  • Fada Abas Zannou*1,
  • Maharazu A. Yusuf1,
  • Soumana Idrissa2,
  1. Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
  2. National Institute of Agronomy Research of Niger, Niamey, Niger Republic

Received: 2023-08-02

Accepted: 2024-06-25

Published in Issue 2025-04-20

Copyright (c) -1 Fada Abas Zannou, Maharazu A. Yusuf, Soumana Idrissa (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Zannou, F. A., Yusuf, M. A., & Idrissa, S. (2025). Assessment of productivity, grazing capacity and rangeland value of grazed herbages of Falmey Rangelands South Western part of Niger Republic. Journal of Rangeland Science, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.57647/j.jrs.2025.1502.17
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

PDF views: 261

Abstract

This study was presented for a better understanding of the current condition of the herbages following flora and vegetation sampling in four rangelands along the axis of transhumance in Falmey department (Dosso Region), southwest part of Niger  Republic. It was aimed to determine the phytodiversity of each herbage plant community; classify and describe herbage  communities along an ecological gradient; and assess the productivity and the grazing capacity of the herbage plant communities. A total of 85 plots, measuring 50 × 20 m, were established for the phytosociological inventory and the distance between transects was 500 m and the distance between plots was 300 m. The line-point intercept method was used to inventory floristics vegetation  and herbaceous phytomass was collected from each plot of 1000 m2 at the five different places. On each plot, five square plots of 1  m2 were placed (one square plot at the four corners and one in the middle of the plot of 1000 m2). A total of 72 vegetal herbaceous  species were recorded in the four rangelands, belonging to 53 genera and 20 families. Among the families, Poaceae  was the most abundant, followed by Fabaceae. The life forms spectrum of the four grazing lands was dominated by Therophytes  with 75%. The  phytogeophical was dominated by the paleotropical and pantropical species, covering 25% and 21% of the  chorological spectrum, respectively. Following Agglomerative hierarchical cluster and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA),  five herbage communities were discriminated against. The biodiversity estimates with Richness, Shannon index and Pielou  Equitability respectively, ranged from 49 to 60; 3.31 to 3.75 bits and 0.56 to 0.64. The herbage communities had produced  phytomass with a mean of 1230 ± 300 kg.DM/ha. In total, rangeland value ranged from 24.80% to 44.11%, indicating the lower  quality of the pasture of Falmey four rangelands. 

Keywords

  • Productivity,
  • Rangeland value,
  • Grazing capacity,
  • Index of Specific Quality (ISQ),
  • Relative Abundance of Species (SRA)
PDF

References

  1. Akpo, L. E. and Grouzis, M., 2000. Pastoral value of grasslands in the Sudanian region, the case of the Sahelian rangelands of North Senegal. Tropicultura, 18(1): 1–8. (In French).
  2. Alassan, NA., Muhammad, I.R., Ichaou, A. and Issa, S., 2019. Botanical Composition of Plant Species on Rangeland Area at Cerra, Maradi. Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 12(2), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.9790/2380-1202013845.
  3. Ali, M., 2005. Floristic, phytosociological and phytogeographic studies of the vegetation of the W Regional Park of Niger. Free University of Brussels Faculty of Sciences. (In French).
  4. Ali, M., 2006. Floristic, phytosociological and phytogeographic studies of the vegetation of the W Regional Park of Niger. In Acta Botanica Gallica. https://doi.org/10.1080/12538078.2006.10515543. (In French).
  5. Ali, A., Idrissa, S., Saley, K., Issa, C. and Ali, M., 2017. Flora and vegetation of natural rangelands in the Maradi region, Niger. Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 34(1): 5354-5375. (In French).
  6. Ali, M. and Saadou, M., 2008. Methods for the study and analysis of tropical flora and vegetation. Proceedings of the workshop at Niamey, on the harmonization of methods. From August 4 to 9, 2008 p. 74. (In French).
  7. Braun-Blanquet .J. 1932. Plant sociology. The study of plant communities. Ed. McGray Hill, New York, London. 439p.
  8. Boval, M. and Dixon, RM., 2012. The importance of grasslands for animal production and other functions : a review on management and methodological progress in the tropics. Animal, The International Journal of Animal Biosciences, 6(5), 748–762.
  9. Cavallero, A., Aceto, P., Gorlier, A., Lombadi, G., Lonati, M., Martinasso, B. and Tagliatori, C.. 2007. Pasture Types of the Piedmontese Alps. Bologna, Italy: Alberto Perdisa Editore. P. 467. (In Italian).
  10. Dosso Regional Council. 2015. Regional Development Plan (P.D.R) 2016 - 2020. Regional Development Plan, Dosso, Republic of Niger. Working paper, 207p. (In French).
  11. Daget, P., Poissonet, J. and Huguenin, J. 2010. Meadows and Pastures Field study methods and interpretations. Book Chapter, CIRAD-CNRS, p.955 (In French).
  12. Daget, P. and Poissonet, J., 1971. A process for estimating the pastoral value of pastures. Presentation presented at the fourth general assembly of the European Grassland Federation in Lausane, Switzerland p.8. (In French).
  13. Dufrêne, M. and Legendre, P., 1997. Species assemblages and indicator species: the need for a flexible asymmetrical approach. Ecological Monographs 67: 345-366.
  14. Fuhlendorf, S.D., Fynn, R.W.S., McGranahan, D.A. and Twidwell, D., 2017. Heterogeneity as the Basis for Rangeland Management. D.D. Briske (ed.), Rangeland Systems, Springer Series on Environmental Management, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2_5.
  15. Garba, M., 1984. Contribution to the study of the flora and vegetation of the environments aquatic and hydromorphic soils of the west of the Republic of Niger, Thesis of Postgraduate doctorate, University of Bordeaux III - University of Niamey, Niger Republic pp. 5-21. (In French).
  16. Guinochet, M., 1973. Phytosociology. Paris, Masson. Ecology collection.Nº1, p.228 (In French).
  17. Gounot, M., 1969. Methods for the quantitative study of vegetation. Masson , Paris, 314 pages.
  18. Gnoumou, A., 2013. Diversity and spatio-temporal dynamics of the vegetation of the classified forest and partial wildlife reserve of Comoé-Léraba (South-West Of Burkina Faso). Doctor from the University of Ouagadougou option: applied sciences specialty: botany and phytoecology. 183p (In French).
  19. Houinato, M. R. B., 2001. Phytosociology, ecology, production and carrying capacity of grazed plant formations in the Monts Kouffé region (Benin). Free University of Brussels. Belgium (In French).
  20. Hiernaux, P. and Houérou, H. Le., 2006. Sahelian Rangelands. Article Secheresse 17: 51–71. (In French).
  21. Idrissa, S., Moussa, B., Issiaka, Y., Ali, M., Ambouta, J.M.K. and Saadou, M., 2016. Ecological Drivers of Ecosystem Diversity in Sahelian Rangeland of Niger. Journal of Rangeland Science, 7: 265–288.
  22. Issoufa I., Morou, B., Hamidou, A., and Saley, K., 2020. Floristic richness and demographic structure of the woody populations of the natural sahelian routes of South-East Niger: Case of the pastoral enclave "Dadaria" (Mainé-soroa, Diffa). Article, International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 14(3): 706-721.
  23. Lebrun, J.-P. and Stork, A.L., (1991-2015) Enumeration of Flowering Plants in Tropical Africa and Tropical African Flowering Plants: Ecology and Distribution. The Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva, Geneva, 1-10.
  24. Legendre, L., and Legendre, P., 1998. Numerical ecology. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
  25. Lozano, V., Vacca, G., Camarda, I., Brundu, G., Sanna, F., Caredda, S. and Re, G.A., 2021. Plant Diversity in Sardinian Mountain Rangelands: Analysis of Its Relationships with Grazing, Land Management, and Pastoral Value. Ecologies, 2, 164–174. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ecologies2010009.
  26. Mbayngone, E., Thiombiano, A., Hahn-Hadjali, K., and Guinko, S., 2008. Ecological characteristics of woody vegetation in southeastern Burkina Faso (West Africa): the case of the reserve from Pama. International Journal of Systematic Botany, 63(1), 1–21. (In French).
  27. McCune, B. and J. Grace. 2002. Analysis of ecological communities. MjM Software Design, Gleneden Beach, Oregon, p.300.
  28. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, (2020). Livestock sector statistics. Statistics Department. Annual report on Livestock statistics: Year 2019, Niger Republic. 360 pages.
  29. Morou, B. 2010. Impacts of land use on giraffe habitat in Niger Republic and challenges for saving the last herd of giraffes in West Africa. Doctoral thesis, p.198. (In French).
  30. Nacoulma, B. M. I. 2012. Dynamics and Conservation Strategies of Vegetation and Phytodiversity of the Ecological Complex of the W National Park of Burkina Faso. University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. (In French).
  31. Ouedraogo, O. 2009. Phytosociology, Dynamics, and Productivity of the Vegetation of Arly National Park (southeast of Burkina Faso). University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (In French).
  32. Ouoba, A. P. 2013. Climate Change, Vegetation Dynamics and Peasant Perception in the Sahel of Burkina Faso. Unique Doctoral Thesis in Geography, University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (In French).
  33. Ouoba, P. 2006. Flora and vegetation of the Niangoloko classified forest, south-west Burkina Faso. Single doctoral thesis, p. 139; University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (In French).
  34. Pittarello, M., Probo, M., Lonati, M. and Lombardi, G., 2016. Restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands through pastoral practices: effects on vegetation structure and botanical composition. Applied Vegetation Science, 19, 381–390.
  35. Peters, M., Herrero, M., Fisher, M., Erb, K-H., Rao, I., Subbarao, G.V., Castro, A., Arango,J.,Chara, J., Murgueitio, E., Hoek, R.V.D., Laderach, P., Hyman, G., Tapasco, J., Strassburg, B., Paul, B., Rincon, A., Schultze-Kraft, R., Fonte, S. and Searchinger, T., 2013. Challenges and opportunities for improving eco-efficiency of tropical forage-based systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Tropical Grasslands – Forrajes Tropicales 1: 156−167.
  36. Raunkiaer C., 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography; are the collected papers of C. Raunkiaer. Oxford Clarendon Press, 632 p.
  37. Roggero, P.P., Bagella, S., and Farina, R. 2002. A data archive of specific indices for the integrated assessment of pastoral value. Journal of Agronomy 36:149–156. (In Italian).
  38. Rothman-Ostrow P., Gilbert W. and Rushton J., 2020. Tropical Livestock Units: Re-evaluating a Methodology. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 7:556788. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.556788.
  39. Saadou, M. 1990. The vegetation of Nigerien-drained environments east of the Niger River. Thesis presented at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Niamey, Niger Republic. (In French).
  40. Sanon, O., Ouattara, F. and Savadogo, M., 2015. Seasonal dynamic of herbaceous fodder production in the Sahelian pastures used by domestic ruminants. Journal of Agriculture and Environment for International Development-JAEID, 109 (1), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.12895/jaeid.20151.317.
  41. Sinsin, B. 1993. Phytosociology, Ecology, Pastoral Value, Production and Carrying Capacity of Natural Pastures in the Nikki-Kalalé Perimeter in North Benin. Univ. Free from Brussels, France. (In French).
  42. Sinsin, B. 1994. Individualization and Hierarchy of Sudanese Phytocenoses of North Benin. Belgian Journal of Botany, 127, 87–103. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/20794326 (In French).
  43. Soumana, I., Ali, M., Gandou, Z., Ambouta, J-M.K. and Saadou M., 2012. Vegetation and plant diversity pattern study of Central Eastern Niger grasslands. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 6: 394–407.
  44. Soumana, I. 2011. Grazed plant groups on rangelands in the Zinder region and exploitation strategies developed by Uda’en breeders. Thesis, Doctor of Applied Biological Sciences Speciality: Plant Ecology and Pastoralism. pp. 1–220 University of Niamey, Niger Republic (In French).
  45. Thiombiano, D.N., Lamien, N., Dibong, S.D. and Boussim, I.J., 2010. State of populations of woody welding species in the rural communes of Pobé-Mengao and Nobéré (Burkina Faso). Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences. 9(1): 1104–1116. Retrieved from http://www.biosciences.elewa.org/JAPS. (In French).
  46. Vacchiano,G., Berretti, R., Mondino, E.B., Meloni, F. and Motta, R., 2016. Assessing the Effect of Disturbances on the Functionality of Direct Protection Forests. International Mountain Society. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-15-00075.1.
  47. White, F. 1986. The vegetation of Africa: Memorandum accompanying the vegetation map of Africa. Published by the French Institute of Scientific Research for Development Cooperation (ORSTOM) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75007 Paris. (In French).
  48. Yameogo, G., Kiema, A., Yelemou, B. and Ouedraogo, L., 2013. Characteristics of Herbaceous Fodder Resources of Natural Pastures in the Vipalogo Territory (Burkina Faso). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 7: 2078–2091 (In French).