Land degradation and livestock production in Zimbabwe's communal areas

Abstract

AbstractThis paper considers evidence of land degradation and its impact on livestock production systems in the communal areas of southern Zimbabwe. Various measures of rangeland degradation, using both primary and secondary production indicators, are examined. An apparent contradiction emerges between the high observed levels of soil erosion and the lack of impact on livestock production, as measured by population density trends, cattle production parameters, cumulative stocking levels and extraction rates. Farmers' observations of land degradation processes support the quantitative data. A possible resolution of the contradiction lies in an assessment of the spatial and temporal dimensions of degradation patterns; this points to the fact that current erosion is concentrated in areas that are not key grazing resources for cattle. The analysis suggests an agenda for degradation research that concentrates on evaluating the time span over which economic impacts of soil erosion are felt and assessing the spatial pattern of soil loss, with a special focus on key grazing resource patches.