VEGETATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL TRAITS OF SOME MAJOR AREAS OF THARPARKER DESERT, PAKISTAN

Tharparker is the only fertile and one of the most densely populated deserts in the world, the main source of livelihood is livestock- donkey, camels, sheep, goats, cows and mules. Livestock occupies a key position in its economy to improve the living standard of impoverished community but overgrazing, unscientific livestock management, excessiveness of unpalatable species, change in climate, and disturbance of soil are degrading this unique rangeland day by day. This study aims to evaluate the vegetation, structural attributes, above ground biomass, population of livestock, and range carrying capacity of different areas of Tharparker desert. The sampling was carried out at 18 sites in18 union councils belonging to 04 talukas of two districts; Tharparker and Umerkot in Tharparker desert. The average rainfall (237± mm) was recorded during study because the sustainability of life in this hot desert rotates around the annual rainfall. The results reveal that the major proportion (69.23%) of the vegetation is herbaceous followed by trees (30.76%).