Ecorestoration of Banni Grassland - Global Restoration Network

Ecorestoration of
Banni Grassland
26-50, 51-75 and 76-100 per cent. The great advantage
of this scale method as compared to more complicated
surveying, is that it is less time consuming.
This method however, is not accurate mainly
due to subjectivity in the estimate. To avoid such
inaccuracy, the designated classes of the cover in
the area were defined initially through orientation
training of the field research staff.
Data on aboveground biomass was collected using
harvesting method. Care was taken to harvest
the aboveground biomass at similar height, i.e.
close to ground level. The harvesting of
aboveground biomass was carried out between
September 1997 to November 1997 (in Dhordo) or
December 1997 (in Bhirandiyara) at a periodic interval
of 15 days. The aboveground biomass was
packed in polythene bags and site details were labelled
on the bags. Then it was sorted into species
at the laboratory and was dried under natural sun
light for several days. After complete drying, the
dry weight of each species in each sample area was
taken by using Mettler precision balance.
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The fresh weight was not considered because it is
not an appropriate measure (Bullock 1996). It varies
with the moisture content of the plant and the
moisture loss during transportation to the
laboratory.
Within the quadrate, soil samples were also collected
to assess the microhabitat condition and to
understand the effects of soil parameters such as
salinity and pH on the distribution and production
of plant species. The sampling was done at two
depths, i.e. the top soil and at a depth of 30-40 cm.
The reason for restricting up to a depth of 30-40 cm
was due to the fact that the grass root system generally
utilises only 30 cm of soil depth. Singh and
Yadav, (1993) reported that 93 per cent of the grass
root materials were found up to 0-30 cm soil depth.
The samples were analysed through soil testing
laboratory of Agricultural Department, Bhuj.