• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2005

Fire, usually a detrimental factor makes changes in commonly structure and functions when it is practiced properly. In countries like Australia, South Africa, Japan and Texas in USA etc., fire is used as a tool to manage the natural ecosystems in productive condition on the basis of ecological approach. However, in developing countries like India there is effective measure to use and control fire in rangelands. This review provides knowledge on changes in sociological characters of plants, biomass profile, cycling of materials and strategy to use fire for the shaping of communities in different rangelands located in India and other countries. Further, the informations furnished in this article will be more useful for the forest managers, planners of rangelands and administrators in countries like India and tropical countries with similar bioclimatic conditions to prepare appropriate management plans where the fire is an integral factor.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.251-254
• /
• 2003

To control the spread of surface fire in the rangelands and to check the entry of fire into forest systems from grassland patches, 26 evergreen / succulent species were selected and among them 3 shrubby species such as Berberis tintoria Lesch, Elaeagnus kologa Schlecht and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wt. were screened for vegetational fire breaks on the basis of leaf moisture content and some other ecological characters. The fire trail experiments indicate that crossing of fire was checked by the fire belt size of 5 ${\times}$ 1.5m for all the three species. However, due to higher fire retardant capacity, the Ire belt of R. tomentosa was effective in comparison to other two species.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.213-225
• /
• 2010

The objective of the current study was to determine factors influencing concentrations of protein-related blood metabolites in indigenous Nguni and crossbred cattle in the semi-arid communal rangelands in South Africa. The body condition scores (BCS), packed cell volume (PCV) and serum concentrations of protein-related metabolites were determined seasonally in 100 cattle raised on communal rangelands from August 2007 to May 2008. Nguni cattle had lower (p<0.05) albumin-globulin ratio, albumin, urea and creatinine, and higher (p<0.05) globulin concentrations than the local crossbreds. Local crossbreds had higher (p<0.05) alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and lower (p<0.05) aspartate aminotransferase concentrations in the postrainy season than Nguni cattle. The creatinine concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were lowest in the sour rangeland during the hot-wet season. The albumin concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were higher (p<0.05) whilst PCV, albumin-globulin ratio and creatine kinase concentration were lower (p<0.05) in the sour rangeland than in the sweet rangeland. Total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were lower (p<0.05) in the hot-wet and late cool-dry seasons than in other seasons across rangeland types. Urea concentrations in both breeds were highest in the sweet rangeland in the hot-dry season compared to other seasons. It was concluded that Nguni cattle had lower concentrations of protein metabolites than local crossbreds and protein deficiencies were most prominent in the sweet rangeland during the cool-dry seasons.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.708-718
• /
• 2010

The objective of the current study was to determine seasonal changes in glucose, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum inorganic phosphorous (SIP), calcium, magnesium and iron concentrations in Nguni and crossbred cattle on the sweet and sour rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Body weights, body condition scores (BCS) and serum concentrations of energy-related metabolites and mineral profiles were determined in late cool-dry, hot-dry, hot-wet, post-rainy and early cool-dry seasons in 100 cattle raised on communal rangelands from August 2007 to May 2008. Nguni cattle had lower (p<0.05) and higher (p<0.05) serum concentrations of glucose in the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons, respectively, compared to crossbreds in the same seasons. Serum cholesterol and NEFA concentrations in Nguni were lower (p<0.05) than in the crossbreds. Nguni and crossbred cattle had higher (p<0.05) serum NEFA concentrations on the sweet rangeland during the late cool-dry season than on sour rangeland. Nguni cattle had higher (p<0.05) SIP concentration in the hot-wet season than the crossbreds. Generally, both breeds had lowest SIP concentration during the hot-wet season on the sour rangeland. The lowest magnesium and highest iron concentrations were observed in the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons, respectively, compared to other seasons. Cattle on the sour rangeland had lower (p<0.05) iron concentrations than those on the sweet rangeland. It was concluded that Nguni cattle had lower cholesterol and NEFA, and higher SIP concentrations in the hot-wet season than crossbreds and energy deficits mostly occurred during the late cool-dry season on the sweet rangeland.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.227-239
• /
• 2018

Background: Predicting the potential habitat of plants in arid regions, especially for medicinal ones, is very important. Although Pergularia tomentosa is a key species for medicinal purposes, it appears in very low density in the arid rangelands of Iran, needing an urgent ecological attention. In this study, we modeled and predicted the potential habitat of P. tomentosa using maximum entropy, and the effects of environmental factors (geology, geomorphology, altitude, and soil properties) on some characteristics of the species were determined. Results: The results showed that P. tomentosa was absent in igneous formation while it appeared in conglomerate formation. In addition, among geomorphological units, the best quantitative characteristics of P. tomentosa was belonged to the conglomerate formation-small hill area (plant aerial parts = 57.63 and root length = 30.68 cm) with the highest electrical conductivity, silt, and $CaCO_3$ content. Conversely, the species was not found in the mountainous area with igneous formation. Moreover, plant density, length of roots, and aerial parts of the species were negatively correlated with soil sand, while positive correlation was observed with $CaCO_3$, EC, potassium, and silt content. The maximum entropy was found to be a reliable method (ROC = 0.91) for predicting suitable habitats for P. tomentosa. Conclusion: These results suggest that in evaluating the plant's habitat suitability in arid regions, contrary to the importance of the topography, some environmental variables such as geomorphology and geology can play the main role in rangeland plants' habitat suitability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.366-377
• /
• 2013

We examined the nutritive value of common grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of Borana in southern Ethiopia using local experience based herbage preference (LEBHP) perception and laboratory techniques. Local pastoralists in the study area were asked to identify common grass species and rank them according to the species' preferences and palatability to cattle. The pastoralists listed a total of 15 common grass species which were then sampled during the main rain and cold dry seasons and analyzed for crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and ash content to verify pastoralists' claim regarding the quality of individual species. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were also calculated using NDF and ADF contents. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine possible relationships between laboratory results and pastoralists' experience on grass quality. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis papposa and Panicum maximum were the top five species based on LEBHP perception. There were indications of inconsistency in terms of LEBHP perception among the different pastoral communities. The chemical composition of all grass species showed significant (p<0.05) variation between sites, seasons and species. The results showed that the CP values for the Borana rangelands were in the range of 8.7% in the main rain season to 5.1% for the cold dry season. The fiber constituents were relatively low in the main rain season compared to the cold dry season. Overall, Digitaria milanjiana had the highest CP (16.5%) content, while the least was recorded with Heteropogon contortus (10.8) and Aristida adoensis (9.8%) during the main rain season. It seems that the spatial variability of landscapes within the wider geographical regions, soil properties and texture, and land-use patterns probably contributed to site differences in species quality. Generally, the RFV of individual grass species was significantly (p<0.05) varied between and within sites. The ranking of species by pastoralists according to their preferences by cattle was highly correlated with the chemical composition of laboratory results of individual grass species with 'r' values for CP (0.94), ash (0.95), NDF (-0.98), ADF (-0.93) and ADL (-0.93). We suggest the complimentary use of LEBHP and laboratory techniques in evaluating the nutritive quality of rangeland forage species for sustainable animal production.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.69-73
• /
• 2015

The world is presently facing key challenges due to the population explosion, shortages in renewable sources of energy, and environmental problems. One important aspect of ecological intensification is the use and improvement of marginal lands and spaces often ignored, until now. Goats are known to be well adapted to scrubs, forage trees, and rangelands. Goats could contribute marginally, but significantly, to the growing demand for meat without using arable lands. Since 2000, there were 752 million goats globally, and goat livestock increased by 26.8% in 2010, accounting for 954 million heads. Goats are widespread due to their high adaptability to different environmental conditions and nutritional regimes, high productivity, and low maintenance cost. A significant growth in goat number was noticed in the period 2000~2010 in the Netherlands (+113.83%), in spite of the 9.75% decrease in EU-27. A cheese making goat farm in the Netherlands showed how it can survive in the one fifth size of the average. It may be a good model for the Korean goat industry since it uses seasonal breeding and results in reduced "goaty" flavor in the cheese.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2024

Mongolian herders rely significantly on grazing their animals, such as goats, sheep, cattle, horses, yaks, and camels, in broad rangelands throughout the year. The availability of appropriate forage, the amount of hay and forage to be kept, and whether the animals will acquire physical strength from the pasture to make it through the impending cold season are all determined by the meteorological conditions of the year. Herders' principal source of income is animals, therefore preventing mortality is a top priority. In Mongolia, meadows are a major element determining cattle live weight. However, in the summer of 2022, Mongolia faced a drought, which resulted in inadequate pastures and starved cattle. Livestock might lose weight in these situations due to a lack of supplemental feeding.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.8 no.1 s.15
• /
• pp.41-59
• /
• 2002

The condition and management of land resources has become an increasing matter of concern in recent years, because of the pressure placed upon land for agricultural use by expanding populations and economic development. Pressures upon land quality can lead to various forms of land degradation, such as in soil erosion, soil fertility decline, adverse changes in water resources, salinization of irrigated areas, or decline in the biological condition of forests or rangelands. In 1992, World Bank estimates that the cost of degraded areas has been estimated as 10-50 times higher than that of measures to prevent degradation. Based upon a survey interviewed with people living in rural areas, the present study argue that it is important to establish policies for preventing changes in agricultural land use, to provide early warning of adverse trends and identification of problem areas. The present study also stresses that stewardship of agricultural land resources plays a leading role in achieving sustainable rural development not to mention agricultural and forestry production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1395-1403
• /
• 2012

The objective of the study was to quantify annual and seasonal differences in the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, in situ degradability and ruminal fermentation of grazing steers… diets. Diet samples were collected with four esophageal cannulated steers ($350{\pm}3$ kg BW); and four ruminally cannulated heifers ($342{\pm}1.5$ kg BW) were used to study the dry matter degradation and fermentation in rumen. Data were analyzed with repeated measurements split plot design. The crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy were higher during the first year of trial and in the summer (p<0.01). The values of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper were higher in summer (p<0.05). The gas produced by the soluble and insoluble fractions, as well as the constant rate of gas production were greater in summer and fall (p<0.01). The ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3N$) and total volatile fatty acids concentrations in rumen, the soluble and degradable fractions, the constant rate of degradation and the effective degradability of DM and NDF were affected by year (p<0.05) and season (p<0.01). Our study provides new and useful knowledge for the formulation of protein, energetic and mineral supplements that grazing cattle need to improve their productive and reproductive performance.