Grasslands of the World.pdf - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

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Plate 11.24
Transhumant Kuchi flock after rain, near Kandahar, Afghanistan .
Grasslands of the world
tures, associated with Pinus roxburghii forests, are heavily grazed and infested
with Eupatorium adenophorum , Pteridium aquilinum , Urtica parviflora
and Artemisia vulgaris . The main forage species are Arundinella bengalensis
, A. nepalensis , Bothriochloa intermedia, B. pertusa , Chrysopogon gryllus ,
Cynodon dactylon , Heteropogon contortus , Apluda mutica , Brachiaria decumbens
, Imperata cylindrica and Eragrostis pilosa . Temperate pastures are associated
with oak or mixed broad-leafed species or bluepine (Pinus wallichianai ),
but, due to heavy grazing , less palatable species such as Arundinella hookeri
are found. The common forages are Arundinella hookeri, Andropogon tristis ,
Poa spp. , Chrysopogon gryllus, Dactylis glomerata , Stipa concinna , Festuca spp. ,
Cymbopogon spp., Bothriochloa spp., Desmodium spp. and Agrostis micrantha
. Subalpine pastures are associated with a variety of shrubs. Common genera
are Berberis , Caragana , Hippophae , Juniperus , Lonicera , Potentilla , Rosa ,
Spiraea and Rhododendron . In many areas, Pipthantus nepalensis has invaded
productive pastures once dominated by Danthonia spp. The common grasses
are Elymus spp., Festuca spp., Stipa spp., Bromus himalaicus , Chrysopogon
gryllus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus , and Koeleria cristata . Elymus nutans is
of great importance at high elevation s. Alpine pastures are associated with
Rhododendron. The main types of grazed vegetation are: Kobresia spp. , Cortia
depressa , and Carex –Agrostis–Poa associations.
The grasslands are exploited by both sedentary and transhumant groups
(see Plate 11.24); the latter belong to minorities. Population pressure is very
high throughout the zone and all suitable (along with much unsuitable) land is
cultivated. Transhumant groups move between the plains in winter and alpine
J.M. SUTTIE