Variation in productivity along the altitudinal gradients in Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP), Pakistan | [Pakistan Journal of Botany • 2022]

Author(s):

1. GHULAM RAZA: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan,,Pakistan

2. SARWAT N. MIRZA: Departments of Forestry & Range Management, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University,Rawalpindi,Pakistan

3. MUHAMMAD AKBAR: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan,,Pakistan

4. MUHAMMAD ALI: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan,,Pakistan

5. FAISAL HUSSIAN: Department of Botany Ghazi University,Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

6. ALAMDAR HUSSIAN: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan,,Pakistan

7. SALAR ALI: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan,,Pakistan

8. JAMAL HUSSIAN: Department of Economics, Karakorum International University Gilgit, Pakistan

Abstract:

The study was carried out in the Hushe Valley, CKNP region, Pakistan, during summer 2012. Sampling was performed along altitudinal gradients in rangelands of CKNP area Hushe. Five quadrats were laid on each of line transects (25m) in four dimensions at 5 meters' intervals, on alternate sides of transect line. Biomass productivity and carrying capacity were estimated by using 1-m² quadrats (N=20 by site; total N = 60). The average standing biomass and carrying capacity was 48 Kg ha-1and 55.67 ha-1AU-15 mo-1 respectively. Furthermore, cumulative standing biomass of shrub, grass and forb at each altitudinal gradient of upper, mid and lower was estimated at18, 60 and 66 Kg ha-1, respectively. The carrying capacity for the forb category was 16 months'ha-1AU-1/5 months-1 at the lower elevation, whereas at mid elevation the carrying capacity for the shrub category was 23 ha-1AU-15 mo-1. The assessment of soil organic matter at each site was highest (1.5%) at the high elevation, while P (27.9 mgkg1) and K (260 mgkg1) concentrations were highest at mid elevation. The study highlighted low production which also vary along altitudinal gradient. This is an alarming situation for the livestock farmers and wild ungulates under present and predicted climate change scenarios. Therefore, the results of the study would be beneficial for the policy makers and managers in the planning of rangeland of CKNP.

Page(s): 2273-2279

DOI: 10.30848/PJB2022-6(25)

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Botany, Volume: 54, Issue: 6, Year: 2022

Keywords:

Rangeland , GilgitBaltistan , CKNP , carrying capacity , ecological zones , Standing biomass

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