Browsing by Author "Nyanganji, J.K."

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    HERBACEOUS SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS PRODUCTION IN SOME SEMI-ARID RANGELANDS, NORTHEAST, NIGERIA
    (Department of Geography, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2000-04-01) Ayuba, H.K.; Maryah, U.M.; Nyanganji, J.K.
    Semi-arid ecosystems are known for (heir variations in the proportion of woody and herbaceous material as well as (he marked shifls in species composition and primary production that occur in response lo heavy grazing (NFST, 1993; Oksancn el al, 1995). Within a given community, some plant species arc avoided by herbivores while others arc selected as forage. The response of forage species will vary according (o (he plant's ability (o regrow alter damage, the effects of plant competition, (he abiotic conditions and (he type and intensity of grazing (Crawley. 1983: Bclsky, 1987. John and Turkington, 1995). Although many plant species are not resilient to grazing, there are reports of plants responding to grazing with increased growth and ,vigor compared with (hat of unglazed plants (McNaughlon. 1976; 1979; Paige and Whitman, 1987). However as grazing intensity increases, losses of biomass will reach levels that cannot be maintained by rcgrowlh and so the productivity will decline