Plant Biomass Availability and Ungulate
Distribution in Tsokar Basin, Eastern Ladakh
- Sanjay Kr. Uniyal & Anjali Awasthi, Research Associates
Abstract
We studied the spatial distribution of plant communities vis- a- vis distribution of wild ungulates in Tsokar basin during spring, summer and autumn of 2003. A total of 90 sites were selected and in each site 10 quadrats of 1 x 1 m were laid randomly to quantify plant species composition. For studying animal distribution, vehicle transects (n=4, 5 km each), ridge walks (n=3, 2 km each) and observation points (n=3) were used. Standing above ground biomass was quantified using harvest method. Dominant plant species (n=10) of the Tsokar basin were collected and analyzed for nutrients (crude protein) following standard methods
Five major communities viz., Carex-Kobresia, Caragana-Eurotia, Stipa- Oxytropis, Carex-Artemisia and Miscellaneous were identified using cluster analyses. Cover, density and standing biomass of plant species has been compared in these communities. Carex-Kobresia community, representing marsh vegetation had the highest cover (75%) and density (62.24 individuals/ m
2) but lowest biomass (3.17 gm/ m2). On the other hand Caragana-Eurotia community had the least density (1.65 individuals / m2) and diversity (H’ = 1.98) but highest standing biomass (1023 gm/ m2). The wild ungulates viz., Argali, Kiang and Blue sheep had high abundance in the northern side (Nalbukar) and their abundance was lower in western side (Rigul) of the basin. These wild ungulates were observed feeding on Eurotia ceratoides, Oxytropis microphylla, Carex melanantha, Stipa orientalis and Stipa jacquemontii. Nutrient analyses of these important species revealed that Eurotia ceratoides had the highest crude protein (21.32%) content while Stipa jacquemontii had the least (7.6%).Based on the preliminary findings, areas important in terms of biomass, ungulate distribution and abundance have been delineated and discussed.
| Project Title | : | Natural resource ecology and management in the Himalaya. |
| PIs & Co-PIs | : |
Dr. G.S. Rawat, Dr. S. Sathyakumar, Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Dr. A.J.T. Johnsingh and Dr. J.L. Fox (UiTf) |
| Researchers | : | Dr. Sanjay Kr. Uniyal, RA; Anjali Awasthi, RA; Tsewang Namgail, TA and Swati, K., TA |
| Funding Agency | : | WII & University of Tromsf, Norway |
| Date of Initiation & Completion | : | 20/03/2002 to 19/03/2005 |