Abstract:
The sustainable management of rangeland ecosystems is crucial for ensuring
the health and productivity of grazing resources. This present study
investigated the annual production potential, carrying capacity and stocking
rates of the grazing resources in Addalachchenai DS division using free cloud
satellite images downloaded from Google Earth Engine and processed and
obtained the grazing and browsing land use and cover map. Field estimation
of above ground biomass (AGB) production was done with quadrant method.
The study found varying levels of AGB in Oluvil, Deegawaapiya, Palamunai
and Addalachchenai as 1,908.8 (ton DM/ha/year), 11,494.1 (ton
DM/ha/year), 1,460.9 (ton DM/ha/year) and 1448.2 (ton DM/ha/year)
respectively. The grazing resource levels in the four subdivisions are
influenced by the seasonal variations between rainy and dry season. The
findings revealed the carrying capacity for each subdivision of Oluvil,
Deegawaapiya, Palamunai and Addalachchenai as 41.34 TLU/ha/year,
733.13 TLU/ha/year, 45.79 TLU/ha/year and 11.41 TLU/ha/year
respectively. Similarly, the stocking rates were identified for Oluvil,
Deegawaapiya, Palamunai and Addalachchenai as 20.93 ha/TLU/year, 5.6
ha/TLU/year, 23.84 ha/TLU/year and 32.78 ha/TLU/year respectively. The
stocking rate at Addalachchenai subdivision indicated the overstocking of
livestock compared to the other subdivisions. The land area with high
“growth grazing resources” were significantly higher (p<0.05) in
Deegawaapiya than the other subdivisions. The study found the grazing
resources in the Addalachchenai DS division to support the livestock
population, which will be useful for the authorities and the farmers to take
necessary measures for the sustainable management of grazing resources and
livestock.
