Livestock carrying capacity of conifer forests in Bhutan
Abstract
In Bhutan, where forest cover is over 72 percent of the total land area, grazing in forest by cattle is a traditional form of land use practice and an invaluable source of livelihood for 90 percent of rural farming communities. Without sound scientific data, the grazing practices have met with strong criticisms from conservationists and forest managers who blame cattle grazing in forests as the main cause of decline in tree regeneration, while livestock managers argue other way round. To date, most forest research in Bhutan has focused on tree regeneration and forest management and there is lack of deeper understanding of the effect of cattle grazing on forest health and quality. While considerable research had been carried out on forests, less has been done to analyze the effect of cattle grazing in forests. Therefore, to reduce the knowledge gap, a project was proposed on the topic, covering the following research questions: (i) What are the existing grazing management practices of farmers dependent on forest grazing? (ii) What is the dry matter production and quality of herbage available in the conifer forest in Bhutan? (iii) Which ecological and social factors influence the dry matter production and botanical composition? and (iv) What is the carrying capacity of conifer forests in Bhutan? To answer the research questions, representative conifer forests and the rural communities dependent on forest grazing are identified as study sites. We shall establish experimental plots in a fairly homogenous mixed conifer forests at two important sites each in central and western Bhutan. The research plots will fall within the elevation range of 2700-3300 masl. A total of 24 representative plots per site will be laid out with an individual plot size of 2m x 3m. A buffer of 0.5m will be maintained alongside the borders of the plot. Site characteristics including vegetation, land area aspect of plots, elevation and temperature will be documented. Only plant species usually accepted and grazed by cattle in a free grazing system, such as grasses, herbaceous legumes, forbs etc., will be included in the measurement of dry matter yield. In addition, the fiber and crude protein content of samples will also be assessed to determine the nutritional quality of herbage. The point intercept method will be adopted for determining species composition which will be carried out before harvest. In a plot size of 2m x 3m, this method will cover the entire plot. Grazing intensity will be assessed by vegetation height, proportion of bare ground and presence of feces, and by locating evidence of trampling, browsing and animal trails. Adequate firsthand information will be gathered on socio-cultural aspects and herders’ perceptions using semi-structured questionnaires. Livestock and forest managers shall also be interviewed. Amongst rural farming communities, only experienced persons will be interviewed. The interview will also cover management practices, grazing area, herd demography, community laws on usage and management of forest grazing areas, opinions on existing government policy on grazing etc.
cattle silvo-pastoral system carrying capacity forest grazing Bhutan
Publikationen
Introduction of crossbred dairy cattle can lead to changes in management practices: Forest grazing in Bhutan
Autoren: Wangchuk, K., Wurzinger, M., Nidup, S., Darapant, A., Gratzer, G., Zollitsch, W. Jahr: 2012
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Project staff
Werner Zollitsch
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Werner Zollitsch
werner.zollitsch@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93211, 99101, 99111
Project Leader
01.02.2010 - 31.01.2013
Georg Gratzer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Georg Gratzer
georg.gratzer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91215
Project Staff
01.02.2010 - 31.01.2013
Maria Wurzinger
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Maria Wurzinger
maria.wurzinger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-93001, 93220, 93414
Project Staff
01.02.2010 - 31.01.2013
BOKU partners
External partners
Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center
Andras Darabant
partner