Characterizing Vegetation of Playa Lake Surfaces as Potential Grazing Resources for Arid Livestock in Western Rajasthan

Abstract

Playa lakes or Ranns characterized by ephemeral waterbody are the common
hydrological features in most arid lands. These water bodies hold rainwater for a few
months which gets dried up with time and letting adapted vegetation (grasses/herbs/
shrubs) to germinate and grow. Local pastoralists depend heavily on these lands to
graze their livestock, thus these vegetation resources come under high grazing pressure,
creating a case of land degradation. In the present article vegetation resources of two
playa lakes called Meetha (non-brackish) and Khara (brackish) Ranns from Jaisalmer
district have been reported. The results are based on field surveys, measurements and
information gathered on ethnic importance of vegetation. The study found occurrences
of two true halophyte species within the Rann surface viz. Aeluropus lagopoides locally
known as ‘Bukan’ and Cressa cretica called as ‘Oaen’. In the surrounding catchment
area, Ochthochloa compressa (Gathia), Panicum turgidum (Murath) and Crotalaria burhia
(Sinia) were dominant.