Fodder (ecosystem service) management in and around Ayubia National park, Pakistan
Asma Jabeen  1@  
1 : Fatima Jinnah women university, Rawalpindi, Pakistan  (Fjwu)  -  Website
Environmental Sciences Department, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan -  Pakistan

The status of fodder management at Ayubia National Park and periphery were studied which is part of Himalayan moist temperate forest. Conservation problems at Park are overharvesting of plant resources for daily needs. Primary surveys and secondary data collection were done to know indigenous knowledge of fodder management. Collection activities were studied in the park, private lands, and communal forests. Surveys were conducted with the female. Fodder species were classified as highly preferred, averagely preferred and least preferred. Agrostis nervosa, Alopecurus spp., Arthraxon prionoides, Bromus spp., Chrysopogon grylus, Cynodon dactylon, Panicum trypheron, Poa pratensis are good fodder species. Alopecurus spp. has been exists on private lands. Farmers cultivate maize crop which fulfill fodder requirement for two months. They always bought fodder. Grazing lands were habitats of non palatable species. The role of grazing was damaging as compared to the collection of fodder. Places near to habitation, have more pressure on fodder collection as compared to far and remote areas. The quantity of biomass in over harvesting and grazing sites is higher while quality of good palatable species is lower due to emergence of weedy species. Private lands have managed harvesting and grazing, so quality and quantity of biomass is higher. Floristic surveys confirm over harvesting and grazing area have dominance of non palatable species. Uncontrolled grazing and over harvesting is the major problem for decline of fodder species. An awareness of overgrazing issue has to be made. Propagation and cultivation of good fodder species may be initiated for sustainable use.


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