IMPACT OF GRAZING INTENSITY ON GRAZING QUALITY OFDOMINANT PLANTS IN KEFFI, NIGERIA

Abstract

Grasslands are important ecosystems that provide forage for livestock, support biodiversity, and contribute to soil conservation. However, increasing grazing pressure has led to reduced ecosystem productivity in many rangelands. This study examined the impacts of overgrazing pressure on grazing quality of rangeland communities in Keffi, Nigeria. A field survey was done using systematic sampling techniques, and proximate analyses were conducted on the dominant plant species collected from selected grazing sites using established analytical procedures. The impacts of the grazing sites on the proximate compositions were tested using the general linear model. The findings indicated that areas exposed to high grazing pressure had reduced grazing quality in the form of lower crude protein and crude fibre compared with moderately grazed or control sites. The findings demonstrate that overgrazing significantly impairs forage proximate quality. The study concludes that high grazing pressure appeared to severely compromised rangeland quality by suppressing nutritious perennial forage grasses. It recommends the adoption of sustainable grazing management practices to promote grassland restoration and ensure the long-term sustainability of these ecosystems.