Estimation Of Biomass Production In The Rangelands Of The Caprivi Region

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out in Caprivi region situated in the North East of Namibia. The region was divided into three predominant vegetation types with substantial grazing potential. Nine (9) sites (three in each vegetation type) were randomly selected for data collection. The objective of the study was to estimate and compare the biomass production of the rangelands of the three vegetation types in the Caprivi. At each site 200m X 100m transect was laid down for collecting herbaceous vegetation using the conventional clipping method (using a 1m quadrat) and sorted into six categories (Schmidtia pappophoroides, Desirable perennial species, Aristida species, Annuals and Herbs and Forbs). The same site was used for assessing botanical composition and canopy cover (using a 2m iron rod) by using step point method. The mean total biomass production between the three vegetation types was significantly different (df = 10, P