Effect of Herbage Removal on Summer Season Biomass and Primary Net Community Productivity of Three Sites around Pilani

Abstract

The influence of grazing and herbage removal by man and animal on dry matter production has been stUl4ied in natural habitats. The aboveground biomass is mainly contributed on all the sites by perennial ground vegetation and is being reduced at different levels by biotic disturbances of the site. The litter, which is partially contributed by ground vegetation and partially by trees and shrubs of the site, is increased inspite of heavy biotic pressure on sites I and II but for site In where, though, it-is maximum but is lost by sweeping practice. This litter loss is more on site III than what is achieved in the other two sites. This infers that herbage removal by sweeping seems to be more responsible for the loss of vegetation and aboveground biomass in the areas like stabilised dunes.