The Role of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Vegetation Cover in Combating Desertification, Shikan Locality, North Kordofan , Sudan

Abstract

Abstract:\

The research was conducted to study the investigate the role of Rehabilitation and Conservation of Vegetation Cover in combating desertification, Shikan Locality, North Kordofan , Sudan. Moreover, the research is intended to study the indicators of desertification in the study area as well as the impact of desertification on tree species biodiversity in the study area according to the people perception. Primary data were collected through questionnaire, filed observations. A total of 70 households were randomly selected with the sampling of 10% and the questionnaire was distributed. Secondary data collected from previous studies, reports and references. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics were Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) were applied. The results showed that the indicators of desertification are sand dune formulation 35%, Degradation of vegetation cover 20%, rain fall fluctuation 27% and dust storms 18%. according to the people perception. The results confirmed the plantation of trees is best practice with regard to the rehabilitation of vegetation cover as well as combating desertification as mentioned by 91% of respondents. Acacia senegal, Azadirachta indica and Hyphene theibicaba is the suitable trees species for plantation as mentioned by 93%, 80% and 78% of respondents respectively. The results reviled that the role rehabilitation activities were increased the vegetation cover areas, decreased wind speed, sand dune stabilization as well as increasing crop production through agroforestry systems and therefore, combating desertification. The results expressed that alternative source of energy, muddy buildings and extension services is a good tool for conservation of vegetation cover as demonstrated by 96%, 88% and 76% of respondent respectively. The study concluded that the desertification has remarkable indicators at the study area and plantation pf tree species play important role in combating desertification at the study area. The study recommends that large scale rehabilitation activities is required as well as increasing the environmental awareness of local community.