Description
The pek savannas of the Lao PDR occur in the southern half of the country and are relatively undeveloped. They are disjunct upland communities characterised by an understorey dominated by three species of Arundinaria, known locally as pek. The canopy varies from open forest to woodland. In relatively undisturbed communities, pek grows to c. 1.5 m tall, and is generally 99% pure, with tall growing grasses occurring infrequently. Higher levels of disturbance lead to invasion of shrub species and ingress of some lower-growing grasses and occasional legumes, some of which are palatable to livestock. Pek is palatable to livestock when young. Clearing of trees results in reduced yield and eventual death of pek. Some attempts have been made to introduce the exotic legume Caribbean stylo to degraded pek savannas, and it has persisted for some years. It is recommended that management of pek savannas should be at a sufficiently low level to maintain the pek as a productive source of fodder.
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Diversity and Sustainability of the Pek Savannas of the Lao PDR
The pek savannas of the Lao PDR occur in the southern half of the country and are relatively undeveloped. They are disjunct upland communities characterised by an understorey dominated by three species of Arundinaria, known locally as pek. The canopy varies from open forest to woodland. In relatively undisturbed communities, pek grows to c. 1.5 m tall, and is generally 99% pure, with tall growing grasses occurring infrequently. Higher levels of disturbance lead to invasion of shrub species and ingress of some lower-growing grasses and occasional legumes, some of which are palatable to livestock. Pek is palatable to livestock when young. Clearing of trees results in reduced yield and eventual death of pek. Some attempts have been made to introduce the exotic legume Caribbean stylo to degraded pek savannas, and it has persisted for some years. It is recommended that management of pek savannas should be at a sufficiently low level to maintain the pek as a productive source of fodder.
