Impact of Grazing on Community Features and Biomass of Herbaceous Species in Langate Forest Division of Kashmir

Abstract

The impact of grazing on species composition and plant biomass has been evaluated for the herbaceous community in Langate Forest Division of Kashmir. In all 35 species were recorded from the study area. Among these, only four species namely Caltha palustris, Chenopodium album, Origanum vulgare and Podophyllum hexandrum were restricted to the protected regions. However, the species common to both the areas differed in their Importance Value Index (IVI), reflecting their tolerance to grazing pressures. The protected areas registered higher values for biomass as compared to the grazed ones.