Estimation of Carrying Capacity and Effect of Different Management Tools on Rangeland at Highland of Rasuwa District, Nepal
Abstract
Rangeland in the highlands of Nepal plays a significant role in providing low-cost feed to grazing animals. The rangelands are facing threats from overgrazing, invasion of unwanted species, and poor soil conditions, which reduce sustainability and productivity. The study was conducted over two years, 2024 and 2025, to evaluate the carrying capacity and the effects of fertilizer, as well as the effect of fencing on rangeland located at 2700 masl in Gatlang, Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality, Rasuwa District, Nepal. The results revealed that the rangeland could support 3.5 livestock units per hectare for a 60-day period in the first year and 3.3 livestock units per hectare for a 90-day period in the second year. A fertilizer trial tested varying levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha) and phosphorus (0, 30, and 50 kg/ha). It was found that the highest herbage production was achieved when nitrogen was applied at 150 kg/ha and phosphorus at 30 to 50 kg/ha. The effect of fencing versus non-fencing on herbage production was also tested. It was found that the highest herbage yield and crude protein content were obtained from the fenced area compared to the open area. The findings highlight that nutrient management, controlled grazing, and fencing enhance the productivity of rangeland. These practices can help sustain livestock feeding systems and reduce pressure on rangelands. This research is particularly suitable for highland communities where rangeland degradation is a major threat to livestock production.
Keywords
Carrying capacity
fence
fertilizer
highland
rangeland.
Download Options
Introduction
Rangelands are the main ecosystem that supports an inexpensive source of feed for livestock (Barsila, 2008). However, these ecosystems are facing increasing pressure from overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change effects. These pressures have caused forage availability to decrease and the resilience of the ecosystem to decline. The productivity of rangeland has declined due to overstocking, inadequate nutrient levels, and insufficient protection. Fertilizer application is one option proposed to address these issues and has been proven to improve herbage production and promote more sustainable rangeland use. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important for the enhancement of forage growth, and their combined application increases green and dry matter yields. Nevertheless, the precise nutrient requirements for maintaining productivity of high-altitude rangelands in Nepal have yet to be fully explored (Devkota and Kolachhapati, 2010; Barsila, 2008).
Carrying capacity is an essential component of rangeland management. The maximum number of livestock units (LU) that can be supported on a given rangeland is the estimation of carrying capacity. When rangeland is overstocked beyond its carrying capacity, productivity declines and the rangeland deteriorates (Pande, 2010). In addition, harmful and toxic plants decrease the productivity of rangeland. Management tools such as appropriate stocking density based on carrying capacity, rotational grazing, fencing, and fertilizer management can enhance productivity (Fenetahun, 2018; Bengtsson et al., 2019). Crude protein content also differs between fenced and non-fenced areas. These situations highlight the urgent need for research to estimate carrying capacity and evaluate the effects of different management tools on rangeland production. Such tools are important for developing rangeland management strategies that provide balanced feed for grazing animals in a sustainable way.
Conclusion
The findings of this study indicate that animals should be grazed on rangeland according to its carrying capacity. When grazing exceeds the carrying capacity, vegetation production from the rangeland decreases. Fertilizer application with appropriate levels of nitrogen and phosphorus increased herbage production. However, the role of nitrogen was particularly significant for herbage production. In addition, fencing provides protection for vegetation, increasing herbage production and improving forage quality. Together, fertilization and fencing practices provide opportunities for higher herbage production. Management of stocking density according to carrying capacity, along with appropriate levels of fertilization and fencing, are important rangeland management tools for the long-term sustainability of range resources.
References
[1] Altinay, E., & Yuksel, O. (2025). Changes in yield and botanical composition of natural rangeland during grazing season at different altitudes. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 57(2), 593–601.
[2] Aydin, İ., & Uzun, F. (2005). Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of rangelands affects yield, forage quality and the botanical composition. European Journal of Agronomy, 23(1), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2004.08.001
[3] Barsila, S. R. (2008). Livestock and rangelands in selected high altitude districts of Nepal. Retrieved from www.mtnforum.org
[4] Barsila, S. R., Dhami, M. S., Shrestha, B. K., & Pandey, L. N. (2023). Effect of short-term grazing exclusion on herbage species composition, dry matter productivity, and chemical composition of subtropical grasslands. Open Agriculture, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2022-0223
[5] Bengtsson, J., Bullock, J. M., Egoh, B., Everson, C., Everson, T., O'Connor, T., O'Farrell, P. J., Smith, H. G., & Lindborg, R. (2019). Grassland—More important for ecosystem services than you think. Ecosphere, 10(2), Article e02582.
[6] Dasci, M., & Comakli, B. (2011). Effects of fertilization on forage yield and quality in range sites with different topographic structure. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 16(1), 15–22.
[7] Devkota, N. R., & Kolachhapati, M. R. (2010). Herbage mass productivity and carrying capacity estimation of some of the selected rangelands of Taplejung District. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 11, 63–70. https://doi.org/10.3126/njst.v11i0.4125
[8] Fenetahun, Y., Xinwen, X., & Dong, W. Y. (2018). Assessment of rangeland management approaches in Yabello: Implication for improved rangeland and pastoralist livelihoods. International Journal of Advanced Research in Botany, 4(3), 16–25.
[9] Kim, J. S., Kidokoro, S., Shinozaki, K. Y., & Shinozaki, K. (2024). Regulatory networks in plant responses to drought and cold stress. Plant Physiology, 195(1), 170–189.
[10] Li, M., Wang, J., Li, K., Liu, Y., Ochir, A., & Davaasuren, D. (2024). Assessment of grazing livestock balance on the Eastern Mongolian Plateau based on remote sensing monitoring and grassland carrying capacity evaluation. Scientific Reports, 14,32151. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84215-4.
[11] Li, W., Luo, Q., Chen, Z., Liu, Y., Li, Z., & Wang, W. (2025). Assessment of grassland carrying capacity and grass–livestock balance in the Three River Headwaters Region under different scenarios. Biology, 14(8): 978.
[12] Pande, R. S. (2009). Status of rangeland resources and strategies for improvements in Nepal. CABI Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources, 4, Article 047. https://doi.org/10.1079/PAVSNNR20094047
[13] Pande, R. S. (2010). Status of rangeland resources and challenges for its improvement in Nepal: A review. https://www.forestrynepal.org/publications/article/4791/
[14] Pereira Neto, J.D., Dubeux, Jr. J.C. B., dos Santos, M. V. F., da Silva Santos, E. R., Bretas, I. L., Jaramillo, D. M., Ruiz-Moreno, M., da Cruz, P. J. R., Queiroz, L. M. D., Oduor, K. T., & Bernardini, M. A. (2024). Herbage responses and animal performance of nitrogen-fertilized grass and grass-legume grazing systems. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 162(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859624000182
[15] Walsh, S., Bonnard, L., Ruelle, E., O'Donovan, M., McKay, Z. C., & Egan, M. (2024). The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application rate and strategy on herbage production and nitrogen response in spring. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 63(1), 43–53.
[16] Zhang, M., Jia, T., Ding, R., Arshad, A., Dong, Q., Kuzyakov, Y., & Zhang, J. (2026). Grazing management in alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Ecological impacts and sustainable development. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 403, Article 110331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.110331
[17] Zhou, T., Yang, H., & Du, Y. (2025). Effects of grazing on alpine grassland soil available nutrients across the Tibetan Plateau. Frontiers in Soil Science, 4, Article 1525837. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2024.1525837.