Browsing by Author "Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, G.J"

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    Abundance and Diversity of Native Forage Species in Pastoral Karamoja Sub-Region, Uganda
    (African study monographs, 2015) Egeru, Anthony; Wasonga, Oliver; MacOpiyo, Laban; Mburu, John; Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, G.J
    Low input pastoral production systems rely exclusively on natural forage resources in space and time. Information on the abundance and diversity of such pastures is vital in improving livestock production and managing the biodiversity of grazing landscapes. This study documented grass and browse forage species utilised in pastoral Karamoja, and determined their relative abundance by district, season and grazing land cover. Up to 65 grass and 110 browse species were utilised in Karamoja Sub-region. In-situ assessments revealed that Chloris, Hyparrhennia, Sporobolus, Pennisetum, Aristida, Cynodon, Eragrostis, Setaria, and Panicum grasses had higher relative abundance. Triumfetta annua, Indigofera erecta, Acacia drepanolobium, Grewia holstii, Acacia kirkii, Acacia mellifera, Acacia tortolis, Maerua pseudopetalosa, Acacia oerfota, and Ocimmum canum woody species were the most abundant. From the community assessment, Hyparrhennia, Chloris, Panicum, Bracharia, Eragrostis, and Setaria grasses and Acacia mellifera, Cadaba farinose, Acacia oerfota, Acacia drepanolobium, Caparis tormentosa, Maerua pseudopetalosa and Hisbiscus micrantha woody plants were identified as the most abundant among the grazing land cover. The grass and browse forage species varied by season, location, and land cover type. The study also found detailed local knowledge of grass and browse forage species in the community. This study has shown the existence of high diversity among grass and browse forage species with differentiated relative abundance across space and time. This, and the detailed communal cultural knowledge, form a basis for the improvement of livestock production as well as biodiversity conservation in Karamoja sub-region.