| Abstract: | Abstract. Structure, primary production and energy flow were studied in ungrazed and grazed alpine meadows in the Garhwal Himalaya, India. In grazed grasslands, the cover of graminoids increased, the biomass of palatable species was reduced by about 50%, but the biomass of unpalatable species increased, due to reduced competition from the better-foraged species. Generally, 32% of live shoot and root biomass was consumed during a growing season. Also, above-ground plant productivity increased as a result of plant regrowth, while below-ground productivity decreased. Flow and storage of energy in ungrazed and grazed alpine grasslands showed an accumulation of 10.1 and 8.5 kJ/yr with energy conversion efficiencies of 0.7 and 0.6% respectively. Ca. 46% of the net energy accumulated was consumed by herbivores on the grazed grassland. Only 26% of the net captured energy disappeared from the system in the growing season, mainly via root and litter decomposition. |
