Abstract:
The main objective of the study was todescribe the seasonal dynamics in some phytosociological attributes of dominant plant species under uncontrolled livestock grazing at
three sites of Sonamarg area in Kashmir Himalaya.Vegetation was tested for A/F ratio and
distribution pattern was assigned as regular (0.025), random (0.025-0.05) and contagious (>
0.05). Frequency, abundance, density andimportance value index(IVI) were also calculated to
observe dominant species. Raunkaier’s law of percentage frequencies was introduced to find the
composition of plant community and changes thereafter brought by seasonal livestock grazing
under uncontrolled stocking density. Bothriocloa pertusa, Poa annua, Sambus whightiana, Stipa
siberica, Cyanodon dactylon were the dominant plant species at all the three sites. IVI values of
these species were increased after experiencing peak grazing season showing their resistance
to grazing. Distribution pattern also changed from contagious to random as evident from A/F
ratio. Vegetation composition also showed a tendency from homogenity to heterogenity after
grazing period. Stocking density was also recorded. It was maximum for Sonamarg main site
(121.50 animal units per hectare during peak seasonal grazing) followed by Baltal site (86
animal units per hectare) in the month of September and minimum for Thajiwas site (24 animal
units per hectare) in October. Stocking density showed a close relationshipwith the change in
number of palatable plant species and consequent change in ratio of palatable to non palatable
plant species.
