Vol. 3, Issue 3, Part E (2017)

Abstract
International Journal of Applied Research Across Saudi Arabia, rangelands considered International Journal of Applied Research potential food source suppling huge numbers of livestock particularly in the northern regions of the country. However, very little is known or documented on the situation of remaining zones of rangelands that can be found across the northern part of Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted to estimate the level of degradation on vegetation cover in two adjacent areas in Ha’il District of Saudi Arabia, in the way to design a future plan for improvement and management. Different measurements were used to quantify the vegetation type including frequency, cover, composition and density during the spring season of 2016. The study area was classified into two types 1) Fenced (or protected) rangeland where there is no kind of grazing or animal activities and, 2) Open rangeland where grazing is allowed. Forty (40) of plants species were recorded in fenced area whereas this number was reduced to only 15 species in open area. Results obtained from this study showed that the presence of overgrazing was the major reason for species declining in open area due mainly to the huge numbers of grazing animals during the optimum grazing period. Results also indicated that overgrazing had great impact on the presence of less palatable plant species. Along with the replacement of original plants, a considerable variation on species density was observed due to excessive grazing. Results obtained from this study showed continues selective grazing and hence disturbance in rangeland.