Arid And Semi-arid Lands Research Articles

Pastoralist Livestock Marketing Behavior in Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia: An Analysis of Constraints Limiting Off-take Rates

Pastoralists in East Africa's arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) regularly confront climatic shocks that plunge them into massive herd die-offs and loss of scarce wealth. One of the most puzzling features of pastoralist behavior in times of stress has been their relatively low and non-responsive rate of marketed off-take of animals when faced with likely losses to herd mortality. As Figure 1, from Desta (1999), finds in 17-year herd history data from Borana pastoralists in southern Ethiopia, mortality always exceeds net sales as a share of beginning period herd size, with the latter never exceeding three percent and moving hardly at all in response to shocks to rangeland carrying capacity that cause regular spikes in mortality rates. This case might be more pronounced than others, but the basic pattern is widely believed representative of herd dynamics and marketing patterns among east African ASAL pastoralists.

Assessment of Adaptation Strategies and Knowledge on Climate Change among Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists in Fafi and Dadaab Ecosystems

Assessment of Adaptation Strategies and Knowledge on Climate Change among Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists in Fafi and Dadaab Ecosystems The study assessed Adaptation strategies and Knowledge on climate change among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Fafi and Dadaab ecosystems. The study area is located Bura to the South, Tana River to the South West, Garissa to the West, Republic of Somalia to the East and Wajir to the North. The area; home to over half a million refugees, falls within arid and semiarid lands (ASALs) and is incredibly vulnerable to climate change and variability.

High-Frequency Regeneration of the Drought-Tolerant Tree Melia volkensii Gurke Using Low-Cost Agrochemical Thidiazuron.

Melia volkensii Gurke is a drought-tolerant tree native to East Africa's arid and semiarid lands (ASALs), with vast but underutilized potential for agroforestry and sustainable livelihoods in the ASALs. Its cultivation is limited by difficulties in propagation via conventional means. Full exploitation of the ability of thidiazuron (TDZ) to elicit regeneration in plant tissue cultures, as sole plant growth regulator (PGR), is hampered by high costs. This study tested the effectiveness of a low-cost agrochemical TDZ for in vitro propagation of M. volkensii. Zygotic embryos from mature seeds were cultured on Gamborg's B5 medium containing 0 to 4 mg/L of agrochemical TDZ from Kingtai Chemicals Co.,Ltd., China. Callus induction frequency was 96.67 to 100%. Significantly large callus fresh mass was produced at 0.05 mg/L TDZ concentration (ANOVA, P < 0.001). The effect of TDZ on embryogenicity was significant over certain ranges of concentrations (Anova, P < 0.001). Multiple somatic embryos developed within 14 days of subculture to hormone-free B5 medium. Somatic embryos developed into microshoots which elongated when transferred to 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine plus 10% coconut water. The Kingtai-TDZ showed a high potency and suitability for use in M. volkensii tissue culture.

Effects of cattle rustling and household characteristics on migration decisions and herd size amongst pastoralists in Baringo District, Kenya

Abstract Pastoral communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya depend on livestock for their livelihood. However, these ASALs are characterized by temporal and spatial climatic variation, making availability of resources uneven. Mobility is a key strategy used by pastoralists to efficiently utilize available resources, notably pasture and water. This strategy is being interrupted by a vicious cycle of livestock rustling/raiding. This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of livestock rustling and other household characteristics on migration decisions and herd size amongst pastoralists in Baringo District in Kenya. A sample of 110 pastoralists were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Binary probit model was used to explain the probability of migrating while ordinary least square was used to explain effects on herd size. Gender and age of the household head are significant (P &lt; 0.1 and P &lt; 0.05, respectively) determinants of migration, whereas both also significantly (P &lt; 0.1) influenced herd size. Intensity of rustling, and loss of livestock to drought and/or disease also significantly (P &lt; 0.01) influence the decision to migrate. Level of education had significant (P &lt; 0.1) and negative influence on herd size, whereas size of household had significant (P &lt; 0.01) and positive impact on herd size. Non-livestock income had significant (P &lt; 0.05) and negative influence on migration and herd size. The practice of livestock rustling, rampant amongst pastoralist communities in Kenya and sometimes occurs across borders, influences pastoralists' decision to migrate and also their herd sizes. It destabilizes communities and undermines their normal livelihood strategies, thus contributing to increased poverty. Increasing the level of development in pastoral areas and formulation of appropriate policies will help in controlling the rustling menace.

Utilisation of priority traditional medicinal plants and local people's knowledge on their conservation status in arid lands of Kenya (Mwingi District)

Mwingi District lies within the Kenyan Arid and Semiarid lands (ASALs) in Eastern Province. Although some ethnobotanical surveys have been undertaken in some arid and semiarid areas of Kenya, limited studies have documented priority medicinal plants as well as local people's awareness of conservation needs of these plants. This study sought to establish the priority traditional medicinal plants used for human, livestock healthcare, and those used for protecting stored grains against pest infestation in Mwingi district. Further, the status of knowledge among the local people on the threat and conservation status of important medicinal species was documented. This study identified 18 species which were regarded as priority traditional medicinal plants for human health. In terms of priority, 8 were classified as moderate, 6 high, while 4 were ranked highest priority species. These four species are Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boiv. (Mimosacaeae), Aloe secundiflora (Engl. (Aloaceae), Acalypha fruticosa Forssk. (Euphorbiaceae) and Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae).In regard to medicinal plants used for ethnoveterinary purposes, eleven species were identified while seven species were reported as being important for obtaining natural products or concoctions used for stored grain preservation especially against weevils. The data obtained revealed that there were new records of priority medicinal plants which had not been documented as priority species in the past. Results on conservation status of these plants showed that more than 80% of the respondents were unaware that wild medicinal plants were declining, and, consequently, few of them have any domesticated species. Some of the species that have been conserved on farm or deliberately allowed to persist when wild habitats are converted into agricultural lands include: Croton megalocarpus Hutch., Aloe secundiflora, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Warburgia ugandensis Sprague, Ricinus communis L. and Terminalia brownie Fresen. A small proportion of the respondents however, were aware of the threats facing medicnal plants. Some of the plants reported as declining include, Solanum renschii Vatke (Solanaceae), Populus ilicifolia (Engl.) Rouleau (Salicaceae), Strychnos henningsii Gilg (Loganiaceae) and Rumex usambarensis (Dammer) Dammer (Polygonaceae). Considering the low level of understanding of conservation concerns for these species, there is need therefore, to build capacity among the local communities in this area particularly in regard to sustainable use of natural resources, conservation methods as well as domestication processes.

Drought severity and their effects on rural livelihoods in Laikipia district, Kenya

Over 80% of Kenya land mass fall under arid and semi arid lands (ASAL), which are prone to frequent droughts. About one third of Kenya’s population lives in the ASAL and largely depends on rain-fed agriculture as their source of livelihoods. However, most of the agricultural activities are constrained by recurrent droughts. To analyse the effects of droughts on rural livelihoods, this study was carried out in the semi arid Central and Mukogodo divisions of Laikipia district, Kenya for the period between 1975 and 2008. Standardized precipitation index was used to quantify drought severity. Rural livelihood data was obtained through interviews and questionnaires. Correlation coefficient was used to test the association between drought severity and crop production and livestock losses. Four categories of drought namely mild, moderate, severe and extreme droughts were identified. Over 70% of the droughts in the study area occurred in runs. The study established that as drought increased in severity more rural livelihood were disrupted causing high dependency of relief aid. As a result, farmers ventured into charcoal burning, illegal logging and sand harvesting as alternative livelihoods sources exacerbating desertification. The study concludes that farmers’ resilience to drought lessens with increase drought severity.

The Effects of Droughts on Food Security in Kenya

Agriculture supports up to 75% of the Kenyan population and generates almost all the country’s food requirements. However drought are the major constraints to rain-fed agricultural production, especially in arid and semi arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya which form about 88% of the country. In the last 100 years, Kenya has recorded 28 droughts, three of them in the last decade. The frequency and severity of droughts seems to be increasing in the country over time. The result has been total crop failures and livestock deaths triggering severe food shortages in the country and more specifically in ASAL districts. Between 1993 to date, the government of Kenya has declared 7 national disasters out of which 5 were drought related. These declarations followed the droughts of 1992-93, 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2005-06 and 2008-09 when the Kenya government requested international communities for food aid. About 28 ASAL districts in Kenya have been placed under Emergency Operation Programme (EMOP) due to the heightening food insecurity caused by droughts. This paper highlights the effects of drought on food security in Kenya with special reference to Central and Mukogodo Divisions of the semi arid areas of Laikipia District, Kenya.

Estimation of spatial–temporal rainfall distribution using remote sensing techniques: A case study of Makanya catchment, Tanzania

Rainfall–runoff modeling provides an opportunity to easily simulate the response of a watershed, thus providing an option for sustainable water resources management particularly in dry regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Analysis of rainfall–runoff relationships in a catchment forms the basis of hydrological modeling. However, rainfall is a highly dynamic process, constantly changing in form and intensity as it passes over a given area. Traditionally, rainfall is measured using limited rain gauges at ground stations and often, the dynamics are not captured and yet it is the main input variable in any hydrological modeling. Without improved rainfall estimation, flow discharge estimates from rainfall–runoff relationship in both gauged and ungauged catchments particularly in arid and semi-arid regions remain a major challenge.Application of remote sensing information becomes crucial in the process of estimating rainfall patterns of these areas. The estimation of rainfall in this study was based on the blending of the geostationary MeteoSat Second Generation (MSG), infrared channel with the low-earth orbiting passive Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), and microwave channel satellite data. To combine these two satellite data, a regression function associated with a threshold as an upper cloud temperature limit where rain occurs was determined. In this way, Makanya catchment rainfall maps (daily, monthly, and seasonal) with 3km pixel size from 2004 to 2006 were generated by aggregating the 15min rainfall values. Comparison of the results obtained from the blended TRMM–MSG with the available ground gauge data for 2004 and 2005 periods, gave a good correlation of about 80%. In conclusion, the developed TRMM–MSG blending procedure was found to be a reliable and robust way of obtaining spatial–temporal rainfall distribution of a given area and particularly so for arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) such as Makanya with sparse data acquisition networks.

Climate Change and Pastoral Economy in Kenya: A Blinking Future

Abstract:The present paper examines the changing climatic scenarios and associated effects on livestock farming (pastoralism) in the arid and semi arid lands (ASAL) of Kenya, which cover over 80% of the country. The study was carried out in the semi arid Mukogodo Division of Laikipia District in Kenya. This division received a mean annual rainfall of approximately 507.8 mm and the main source of livelihood was pastoralism. Questionnaire, structured interview, observation and literature review were the main methods of data collection. Rainfall was used in delineating changes in climate. Standardized precipitation index (SPI) and Markov process were used in analyzing drought severity and persistence, respectively. Approximately 38% of all droughts between 1975 and 2005 were prolonged and extremely severe, with cumulative severity indices ranging between −2.54 and −6.49. The probability that normal climatic conditions persisted for two or more consecutive years in Mukogodo Division remained constant at approximately 52%. However, the probability of wet years persisting for two or more years showed a declining trend, while persistence of dry years increased with duration. A drying climatic trend was established. This drying trend in the area led to increased land degradation and encroachment of invasive nonpalatable bushes. The net effect on pastoralism was large‐scale livestock loss through starvation, disease and cattle rustling. Proper drought monitoring and accurate forecasts, community participation in all government interventions, infrastructural development in the ASAL and allocation of adequate resources for livestock development are some of the measures necessary for mitigating the dwindling pastoral economy in Kenya and other parts of the world.

Reconciling people's livelihoods and environmental conservation in the rural landscapes in Kenya: Opportunities and challenges in the Amboseli landscapes

AbstractTwo of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2000 are: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; and ensuring environmental sustainability. The link between depressed livelihoods and unsustainable use of land and natural resources can be seen in Kenyan rangelands. Here, the local community is dependent on land and its resources for livelihoods, but the demand and competition is increasing, endangering both the resources they depend on and threatening environmental health. Amboseli is an Arid and Semi‐Arid Land (ASAL) area that experiences ecological constraints, resource limitations, and low economic investment. Local communities in such landscapes are resource‐dependent for their daily livelihoods, and have few socio‐economic opportunities. Pastoralism, which is the main source of their wealth, continues to decline and exploitation by a few local elites and poor local leadership further depresses livelihoods. Other challenges to these poor rural landscapes are increasing human population which increases demands on natural resources and environment; persistent hunger; low universal primary education; poor gender equality and empowerment of women; environmental degradation; and lack of local and global partnership for development. This paper focuses on the two Millennium Development Goals mentioned above. Linkages, challenges and opportunities in enhancing rural livelihoods while promoting environmental sustainability in rural landscapes of the Amboseli Rural Landscape are discussed.

Role of Camels (Camelus Dromedarius) in the Traditional Lifestyle of Somali Pastoralists in Northern Kenya

This paper describes the role of the camel in shaping and supporting the pastoral economy and culture of the Somali community in northern Kenya. Over 70% of Kenya's land mass consists of arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of low agricultural potential, and northern Kenya falls within this region. Extensive livestock grazing, in a nomadic pastoral production system, is the most suitable means of utilizing ASALs. Of the many nomadic communities living in northern Kenya, the Somali tribe is perhaps the largest keeping mainly camels, but also cattle and small stock (sheep and goats). Camels are well adapted to the harsh conditions of the ASALs. In the Somali pastoral lifestyle, camels play multiple roles, of which milk production is perhaps the most important. Camel meat is a delicacy not to be missed during festivities. Male camels are also used for transportation of water, and of household items when families move to new grazing sites within the range. In addition, camels have an important role in traditional social relations, such as in payment of a dowry, and in compensation of injured parties in clan feuds. In the Somali culture, camel ownership (in terms of herd size) is an indication of social status. Also, in the Somali traditional economy, camels are the main reserve stock, and therefore act as a store of wealth and security against drought, disease and other natural calamities.

The influence of tillage on field scale water fluxes and maize yields in semi-arid environments: A case study of Potshini catchment, South Africa

Water is a limiting resource to crop production in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) and is responsible for substantial yield losses annually. These lands are often occupied by resource poor smallholder rainfed farmers who have little capacity to establish conventional irrigation infrastructure to mitigate recurrent droughts and dry spells. In situ water harvesting techniques in the form of conservation agriculture practices have been identified and promoted as measures that can improve soil water availability and thus enhance crop yields. Land use practices e.g. tillage influences mechanisms of lateral flow, infiltration, storage, redistribution and residence times of water at field scale. Such alterations in flow paths have not been adequately studied in ASALs where small perturbations at field scale upstream of a catchment may have significant effects downstream. Quantifying these fluxes enables better understanding of productive and non-productive water transition processes and thus to evaluate cropping and management systems. On this study the effects of tillage on water fluxes, soil physical properties and maize ( Zea mays L.) yields were examined at three sites in the Potshini catchment, South Africa. Measurements were made on plots under no-till ( N T) and conventional till ( C T) practices. Seasonal analysis indicated that nearly twice as much runoff was generated from C T treatments when compared to N T plots. However, this was not the case at the beginning of the season. The moisture content in the root zone was significantly higher in N T treatments. Maize yield was also higher in N T compared to C T plots.

Microorganisms associated with sub-Clinical mastitis and their impact on milk production in camels (Camelus Dromedarius) in semi-arid lands of Northern Kenya

Camels are adapted to the arid and semi arid lands (ASAL), but their full milking potential is affected by udder infection especially sub-clinical mastitis. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common pathogens responsible for sub-clinical mastitis in camels kept under ranch conditions in Northern Kenya. A total of 435 camel milk samples were collected over a period of 11 months and examined for mastitis causing microorganisms. Mastitis causing bacteria were isolated from 66.7% of the samples. The most prevalent groups were group D streptococci (30%), coagulase negative staphylococcus (CNS) (20.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (16%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (3.6%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (1.5%). Other isolates were Coliforms and Micrococci. Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus agalactiae had a greater association with sub-clinical mastitis than the other pathogens. Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus were ranked as infectious pathogens while group D streptococci, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, CNS, Coliforms and Micrococci were ranked as environmental pathogens. The mean milk yield from quarters infected with infectious streptococcal pathogens was 1.58L per milking, which was lower than that from quarters infected with environmental streptococci (2.63L). Sub-clinical mastitis in camels has adverse implications and needs to be addressed in order to maximize camel production in the ASAL. Keywords: camels, sub-clinical mastitis, milk yield, ASAL, microorganismsInternational Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vol. 6 2005: 182-187

Household-Level Livestock Marketing Behavior Among Northern Kenyan and Southern Ethiopian Pastoralists

Pastoralists in East Africa's arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) regularly confront climatic shocks triggering massive herd die-offs and loss of scarce wealth. On the surface, it appears puzzling that pastoralists do not make extensive use of livestock markets to offload animals when climatic shocks temporarily reduce the carrying capacity of local rangelands, and then use markets to restock their herds when local conditions recover. In recent years, donors and policy makers have begun to hypothesize that investments in livestock marketing systems might quickly pay for themselves through reduced demand for relief aid, by increasing pastoralist marketing responsiveness to temporal variation in range conditions.

Attaining Sustainable Farm Management Systems in Semi-Arid Areas in Kenya: Few Technical Options, Many Policy Challenges

Soils in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) are fragile, low in fertility and susceptible to erosion and leaching. To address these problems, activities were implemented in 1998–2003 to identify current problems, and design, test, implement, demonstrate and disseminate improved, integrated soil fertility management techniques. Current soil fertility management results in slightly negative nutrient balances, especially for phosphorus and potassium. Recycling of nutrients through crop residues and animal manure is inefficient, with evidently high losses. Due to the relatively high price of fertilisers and the high risks of crop failure, use of mineral fertilisers is restricted to market-oriented farms with access to irrigation facilities. Of the total farm household population, 35–85% lives below the poverty line. Applying higher rates of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and/or fertilisers is unattractive and risky. Combinations of FYM and fertilisers give better financial returns than either of the two alone. Where irrigation is available, farmers adopt innovative farming systems that include higher application of mineral and organic fertilisers, and result in higher and more stable yields and higher financial returns. A set of specific policy measures for the semi-arid areas were identified to arrive at necessary changes in the economic environment, leading to a wider range of financially attractive technology options for smallholders.

The point prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in calves, sheep and goats in Magadi division, south-western Keny

Helminths cause great economic loss in livestock in Africa, and can be categorized as either direct or indirect losses. Arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) in Kenya comprise 71% of total land area and harbour the largest population of cattle, sheep and goats. However, little information on the distribution and impact of gastro-intestinal (GIT) parasitism in these animals is available. This survey was conducted to establish the prevalence of GIT parasites infecting calves, sheep and goats and their relative importance in Magadi division, which is semi-arid. Faecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of 109 calves, 133 goats and 20 sheep and submitted to the laboratory for faecal worm egg counts, and coccidial oocysts examination using a modified McMaster method. The significance of differences in mean egg count per gram (epg) between animal species and herds (farms) were assessed using analysis of variance. The overall prevalence of nematodes in the calves, sheep and goats was 69.2%, 80% and 82%, respectively. About 10% of sheep and goats had epgs higher than 1 000, the remainder having light to moderate infections. The overall prevalence of coccidial oocysts in calves, sheep and goats was 30%, 44% and 45%, respectively. Poor productivity in ASAL areas, where nutrition is often poor, is likely to be pronounced in the presence of parasite infections. These findings indicate that viable internal parasite control should be implemented in the study area in order to increase the productivity of the livestock there.

Kenya: the development of private services and the role of the Kenya Veterinary Association.

Private veterinary practice has existed in Kenya for more than half a century. Between the early 1930s and the mid-1960s, provision of clinical and advisory services almost entirely involved servicing commercial ranches and dairy farms. The Department of Veterinary Services (VSD) was mainly responsible for providing regulatory services in these areas. Until the mid-1960s, public sector veterinary responsibilities were predominantly associated with the prevention of notifiable diseases outside the commercial farming areas. In a major agrarian reform programme initiated in 1954, Kenya initiated an aggressive campaign promoting the dairy industry in the wetter areas of the country among small-scale farmers. In an effort to encourage dairy development, the VSD decided to provide some services, mainly tick control and subsidised artificial insemination. This support had a great positive impact on the 'smallholder' dairy industry. After the end of the colonial administration in 1963, most private practitioners left the country. A decision was therefore taken to transfer the responsibility of providing services of a 'private goods' nature, such as clinical services, temporarily to the public sector through the VSD. This was accompanied by significant expansion of training and the deployment of both professional veterinarians and para-professionals. By 1988, personnel costs had escalated to over 80% of the recurrent budget, leaving little for operational costs. This necessitated a policy change, which led to decreased government involvement in the delivery of animal health services. The private sector, as expected, responded appropriately to the change in policy. The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) launched a privatisation scheme (the Kenya Veterinary Association Privatisation Scheme) in 1994 to provide members with credit to set up private practices. The first phase of the scheme (1994-1996) was rated a success, with 100% loan repayments. The second phase of the project (from 1997) was characterised by a low number of loan applications, which increased the cost of loan administration per unit. There was some defaulting in loan repayments during this phase. While private veterinary practice took root in the high rainfall, intensive farming areas, this was not the case in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), where community-based animal health workers (CAHWs) played a prominent role in providing animal health services. The lack of uniformity in the training of these workers denied them recognition by the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB). An agreement has now been reached between the KVB, the Director of Veterinary Services and the KVA to discontinue the training of CAHWs and to retain and retrain existing workers for disease surveillance and reporting in ASAL areas. In conclusion, private veterinary practice has been successful in areas of high agricultural potential. Expansion to more marginal areas, however, would require incentives or subsidies.

Livestock Pricing in the Northern Kenyan Rangelands

This paper uses detailed, transactions-level data and an innovative, structural-heteroskedasticity-in-mean estimation method to identify the determinants of livestock producer prices for pastoralists in the drylands of northern Kenya. The empirical results confirm the importance of animal characteristics, periodic events that predictably shift local demand or supply and, especially, rainfall on the prices pastoralists receive for animals. Price risk premia are consistently negative in these livestock markets. The imposition of quarantines has a sharp negative effect on expected producer prices in the pastoral areas, revealing that Kenya’s approach to animal disease control favours wealthier highlands ranchers and consumers at the expense of poorer drylands herders. 1. Background The arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) of northern Kenya are representative of much of the African ASAL, in which many of the continent’s poorest subpopulations dwell. Due to infertile soils and low and highly variable rainfall, these lands are ill-suited for intensive crop production, while they are well-suited to extensive livestock

The effects of woodfuel consumption in the ASAL areas of kenya: the case of marsabit forest

In the arid and semiarid lands (ASAL) of Kenya, fuelwood and charcoal constitute 95–98% of the total energy demand for cooking, heating and lighting. The resultant deleterious ecological effects are severe and need urgent remedial interventions. A study was carried out in Marsabit District, which is a vast ASAL region, to examine the effects of woodfuel consumption on Marsabit Forest and the surrounding areas. It was found that wood for fuel harvested from Marsabit Forest was approximately 56,000 tons y−1. The rate of deforestation was estimated at 1.6 ha y−1. This resulted in great loss of indigenous biodiversity, destruction of vital ecosystems and habitats. To control further degradation of the forest, it is recommended that an immediate ban be imposed to stop harvesting of the indigenous species such as Olea spp. and Teclea spp., which are seriously endangered. Also, woodfuel conservation through wider and more efficient use of the improved energy‐saving technologies should be enhanced.

Restoration and Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems in Arid and Semi‐Arid Lands. I. A View from the South

AbstractA general model is presented describing ecosystem degradation to help decide when restoration, rehabilitation, or reallocation should be the preferred response. The latter two pathways are suggested when one or more “thresholds of irreversibility” have been crossed in the course of ecosystem degradation, and when “passive” restoration to a presumed predisturbance condition is deemed impossible. The young but burgeoning field of ecological restoration, and the older field of rehabilitation and sustainable range management of arid and semiarid lands (ASAL), are found to have much in common, especially compared with the reallocation of lands, which is often carried out without reference to pre‐existing ecosystems. After clarifying some basic terminology, we present 18 vital ecosystem attributes for evaluating stages of degradation and planning experiments in the restoration or rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems. Finally, we offer 10 hypotheses concerning ecological restoration and rehabilitation as they apply to ASAL and perhaps to all terrestrial ecosystems.