Rangeland Degradation Research Articles

Land Degradation in Southern Africa: Restoration Strategies, Grazing Management, and Livelihoods

Land degradation in communal rangelands poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and livelihoods in southern Africa. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research trends, key contributors, thematic evolution, and collaborative networks in the field of land degradation in communal rangelands from 1997 to 2024. Utilizing data obtained from the Scopus database, we examined 66 publications to identify patterns in publication output, leading journals, influential articles, and prominent authors and institutions. The analysis demonstrates an overall increase in research output, with a notable surge in publications during the past decade, indicating a growing academic and policy interest in this field. Major themes identified include sustainable land management, restoration strategies, and the impacts of grazing management on ecosystem health. Networks showcasing co-authorship and keyword co-occurrence reveal robust collaborative connections among researchers and a concentrated focus on specific dominant themes. Consequently, these findings propose opportunities for expanding interdisciplinary research and exploring underrepresented areas. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape, offering insights to steer future studies and inform policy interventions aimed at mitigating land degradation and bolstering the resilience of communal rangelands in southern Africa.

Spectral Discrimination of Common Karoo Shrub and Grass Species Using Spectroscopic Data

Rangelands represent about 25% of the Earth’s land surface but are under severe pressure. Rangeland degradation is a gradually increasing global environmental problem, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of ecosystem functions. Ecological rangeland studies aim to determine the productivity of rangelands as well as the severity of their degradation. Rigorous in situ assessments comprising visual identification of plant species are required as such assessments are perceived to be the most accurate way of monitoring rangeland degradation. However, in situ assessments are expensive and time-consuming exercises, especially when carried out over large areas. In situ assessments are also limited to areas that are accessible. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multispectral (MS) and hyperspectral (HS) remotely sensed, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based data and machine learning (random forest) methods to differentiate between 15 dominant Nama Karoo plant species to aid ecological impact surveys. The results showed that MS imagery is unsuitable, as classification accuracies were generally low (37.5%). In contrast, much higher classification accuracies (>70%) were achieved when the HS imagery was used. The narrow bands between 398 and 430 nanometres (nm) were found to be vital for discriminating between shrub and grass species. Using in situ analytical spectral device (ASD) spectroscopic data, additional important wavebands between 350 and 400 nm were identified, which are not covered by either the MS or HS remotely sensed data. Using feature selection methods, 12 key wavelengths were identified for discriminating among the plant species with accuracies exceeding 90%. Reducing the dimensionality of the ASD data set to the 12 key bands increased classification accuracies from 84.8% (all bands) to 91.7% (12 bands). The methodology developed in this study can potentially be used to carry out UAV-based ecological assessments over large and inaccessible areas typical of Karoo rangelands.

Artificial intelligence and remote sensing for spatiotemporal analysis and prediction of vegetation changes: a case study of El Oued, northeastern Algeria

This study investigates vegetation ecology and rangeland degradation in the arid and desert regions of northeastern Algeria from 2015 to 2023, with predictions extending to 2031. Utilizing remote sensing techniques, specifically Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 imagery, and the Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI), we mapped and analyzed changes in vegetation cover. The QGIS MOLUSCE plugin facilitated spatiotemporal analysis, revealing significant natural and anthropogenic impacts on a study area. Less degraded rangelands have also seen an increase, from 44,110,116 hectares in 2015 to 48,481,851 hectares in 2023, due to drought, overgrazing, and socioeconomic pressures. With a slight decrease to 48,450,495 hectares projected for 2031. This suggests efforts in land rehabilitation and sustainable rangeland management are yielding positive results, though there remains room for improvement. The study recorded that Agricultural croplands have experienced a slight decrease from 1,404,153 hectares in 2015 to 1,350,693 hectares in 2023. However, a modest increase to 1,587,242 hectares is projected by 2031. The findings indicate that Oases date palm areas have increased from 1,287,342 hectares in 2015 to 1,630,197 hectares in 2023, with further growth to 1,816,296 hectares anticipated by 2031. Our research highlights the critical role of remote sensing in monitoring vegetation dynamics within arid and desert ecosystems. The methodology provides a robust framework for similar studies, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring using advanced télédétection technologies. To mitigate further degradation and preserve these fragile ecosystems, the implementation of sustainable land management practices is essential.

Rangeland degradation and management practice in Ethiopia: A systematic review paper

Globally, rangeland degradation is a serious environmental problem, especially in pastoral and semi-pastoral areas that are constantly shrinking. Ethiopian pastoralists are highly affected like other parts of Africa due to climate change and other associated environmental problems. Hence, rangeland degradation is considered as a major obstacle to the pastoralist economy in Ethiopia. This review analyzes rangeland degradation, its causes, effects, and management practices in Ethiopia. This review paper has collected data mostly from published and unpublished documents and analyzed its connection with the contemporary Ethiopian context. The main causes of rangeland degradation are climate change, overgrazing, bush encroachment, population pressure, drought, government policies, encroachment on rain-fed agriculture, and the demise of traditional resource management institutions. Rangeland degradation causes significant losses in biodiversity, water potential, soil condition, animal performance, domestic animal husbandry, and community poverty. Despite these implications, the adoption of alternative recovery strategies in the country is woefully inadequate and needs much attention in turning policies and proclamations into practical ones. Ethiopia's Rangeland is economically, socially, and politically marginalized, and the region urgently needs a significant increase in investment and strengthened political support for sustainable land management to address the rangeland degradation issues.

Soil characteristics within vegetation patches are sensitive indicators of savanna rangeland degradation in central Namibia

Savanna rangelands are threatened by increased grazing pressure, with the risk of desertification and woody plant encroachment. In this context, sensitive early-warning indicators for irreversible shifts toward degraded rangelands are urgently needed. We hypothesize that soil properties, in particular soil organic carbon (SOC) and carbon isotopes (δ13C) are suitable to detect degradation in different land management systems. We conducted a natural experiment on arid savanna rangelands on Arenosols in Namibia. As treatments, we considered two land management systems (freehold farms with rotational grazing and systematic bush thinning, and communal rangelands with free grazing without systematic bush thinning), with different grazing intensities (grazing gradients), and four vegetation patch types (dominance of bare soil, annual plants, perennial grasses, or woody plants) with four replications per land management system. Clay was considered a system-inherent confounder. SOC stocks were lower on communal rangelands (8.2 ± 2.8 Mg ha−1) than on freehold farms (9.7 ± 2.6 Mg ha−1). Besides clay content, SOC stocks correlated with perennial grass cover (r = 0.6) in freehold farms, and with woody plant cover (r = 0.54) in communal rangelands. δ13C values were higher by 2.15 ‰ on freehold farms, indicating greater origin of C4 grass derived SOC. Distance to the nearest water point – as an estimate of local grazing intensity – had a small effect on SOC stocks compared to clay. SOC was a sensitive degradation indicator in savanna rangelands when considered together with the patchy character of savanna vegetation. Under current land management and tenure, communal rangelands faced higher degradation threats than freehold farms, but were also more vulnerable due to lower clay contents.

Pastoralists’ perceptions on the future of cattle farming amidst rangeland degradation: A case study from Namibia's semiarid communal areas

Pastoralists’ perceptions on the future of cattle farming amidst rangeland degradation: A case study from Namibia's semiarid communal areas

How and why do rangeland changes and their underlying drivers differ across Namibia’s two major land-tenure systems?

Rangeland degradation, with the loss of perennial grasses and shrub encroachment, negatively affects livestock production and reduces the drought resilience of commercial ranchers and pastoralists in drylands. This situation applies in Namibia, where few attempts have been made to investigate rangeland changes and shrub encroachment across the two major land-tenure systems in the country, namely, freehold and communal land. This study aimed to investigate the inter-relationships among rangeland changes, land tenure and management in Namibia within the past 55 years, by combining remote-sensing analysis, literature review, and interviews. Land-cover classification results revealed different trends in the two tenure systems between 1965 and 2020. Both were affected by shrub invasion. At the onset of the observation period, the percentage of grass-dominated savanna was higher on communal land. Whereas a linear increase in shrubland was observed after 1965 on communal land and on freehold land up to 2001, the shrub encroachment trend on freehold land reversed from 2011, mainly because of de-bushing measures. The most important drivers for rangeland changes and shrub encroachment were related to specific land-management practices and the historical and socio-economic contexts in which they occurred, including various policies associated with colonialism, fire suppression and overgrazing, combined with recurrent droughts. Although farmers on freehold land apply various strategies to combat shrub encroachment, the aftermaths of colonial policies and the issues of common-pool resource management have limited the options of those on communal land to implement such measures. The search for sustainable management options, thus, requires a deeper understanding of their potentials and shortcomings in both land-tenure types; such understanding could be acquired by considering local knowledge and past and current land-use practices. Management options that incorporate the numerous benefits of woody plants and the uses of shrubs hold promise for sustaining livelihoods in both land-tenure systems.

Balancing Livestock Environmental Footprints with Forestry-Based Solutions: A Review

Livestock production, as one of the oldest and most significant human activities, plays a vital role in fulfilling the global demand for human nutrition and other animal-related products while contributing to poverty reduction. However, it is also important to address the environmental impact of livestock animals. Over 60% of the global biomass harvested annually to support human activity is directed towards this sector, raising concerns about its sustainability. In addition to substantial water and fertilizer usage reported in recent years, it is estimated that 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the livestock sector. Furthermore, the increasing amount of manure resulting from intensive animal farming raises concerns about its disposal and potential water pollution. The degradation of pasture and rangeland is another significant contributor to soil erosion. Multiple approaches are being studied to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production, but a sustainable alternative may be through forestry. Forests play a vital role in countering livestock emissions by absorbing billions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, and they act as a crucial carbon sink. Furthermore, the diversity and age of forests impact the carbon sequestration process. Forests also help to combat climate change by reducing soil erosion and regulating the water cycle. As such, sustainable forest management is essential as forests provide multiple benefits, including economic, environmental, and social benefits, while also sequestering carbon. In this review, the current impact of modern livestock production is described, along with the potential for mitigating it through forestry-based solutions.

The dynamics of vegetation diversity and biomass under traditional grazing in Ethiopia's Somali rangeland.

Traditional grazing management practices are central to rangeland productivity and biodiversity. However, the degradation of rangelands and loss of ecosystem services have raised concerns about the future of pastoralism as a form of land use. It is imperative to understand how these practices influence vegetation attributes, e.g., herbaceous species diversity and composition, growth forms (grass, forbs), life form (annuals, perennials), tree metrics (density, canopy cover, and biomass). This study evaluates vegetation shifts under three grazing management practices-enclosures, open grazing, and browsing lands-in the Somali pastoral ecosystem of Ethiopia. Enclosures exhibited the highest diversity in herbaceous species, with open grazing lands favoring forbs and annuals. Distinct compositional shifts in herbaceous species were observed across regimes, especially in grass and annuals. Enclosures had three times higher herbage biomass of open grazing and double that of browsing management practice. Conversely, browsing management practices presented optimal wood biomass, density, and canopy cover. The results highlight that a transition to combined enclosure and browsing practices can elevate plant production and diversity, benefiting the Somali rangeland economy. Consequently, dryland restoration should incorporate indigenous knowledge to ensure future rangeland sustainability and biodiversity preservation.

Consequences of Participatory Behavior of Pastoralists on Rangeland Restoration

Rangelands are among the important natural resources that are being degraded all around the world. One of the effective ways to control rangeland degradation is to take the advantage of the pastoralists’ participation in the implementation of rangeland management projects, especially restoration practices. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal the consequences of participatory behavior of Turkmen pastoralists on rangeland restoration practices in Aqqala County, Golestan Province, Iran, assuming that the participatory behaviors of pastoralists on restoration practices have positive consequences on the rangeland status. This is descriptive research that was conducted with a survey technique. Stratified random sampling was used to sample pastoralists’ population. The statistical population was 120 pastoralists from 8 pastoral units, of which 92 were selected as a sample size. Random samples were taken from pastoral units, in proportion to the population. The data-gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Its validity and reliability were respectively assessed by expert opinions and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results showed that pastoral age, annual income, number of animals, and animal husbandry experience have positive and significant relationships with the participatory behavior of pastoralists. Pastoralists who were members of rangeland management cooperatives and participated in training courses had better participatory behavior in the implementation of rangeland restoration practices. On the basis of the path analysis, participatory behavior of pastoralists had positive effects on livelihood and employment (β = 0.371), social knowledge and awareness (β = 0.408), social capital and participation (β = 0.625), differences and strengthening of cultural contexts (β = 0.422), environmental and wildlife status (β = 0.339), organizational support (β = 0.111), and land use change prevention and ecosystem conservation (β = 0.347). In conclusion, barriers to pastoralists' participation in restoration practices can be removed through identifying the consequences of participatory behavior of pastoralists, and rangeland ecosystems degradation can be controlled.

Spatio-temporal modeling of rangeland degradation in response to changing environment in the Upper Ewaso Ngiro River Basin, Kenya.

Rangelands primarily provide forage for grazing and browsing animals, yet their ecosystems are degraded due to natural causes and anthropogenic activities such as pastoralism, tourism, and ranching. Increased rangeland detrimental effects led the present research to model the severity of rangeland degradation in the Upper Ewaso Ngiro River Basin (UENRB) in Kenya between 1986 and 2021 and predict the future scenario for 2031. The severity of rangeland degradation was analysed using the multi-criteria analytic hierarchical process and principal component analysis, while the cellular automata Markov chain-analysis model was used for prediction. The models utilized datasets including land-use land cover, surface albedo, bareness index, vegetation health index, soil moisture index, topographic wetness index, reconnaissance drought index, k-factor, slope, and population density. The findings indicated that rangeland degradation varied sporadically, with the reconnaissance drought index being the significant influencing parameter, contributing to about 19.2% of the total degradation. In average, between the years under study, non-rangeland zones covered 10.4%, while low, moderate, high, and very high degradability severity covered 15.3%, 49.1%, 25.2%, and 0%, respectively. Prediction results for the year 2031 revealed that non-rangeland zones will cover 5.3%, whereas low, moderate, high and very high will cover 18.1%, 39.2%, 37.4%, and 0%, respectively. The hybrid model proved to be effective in modeling rangeland degradation. The study recommends the county and national governments to propose and adopt by-laws on legislation to regulate the exploitation of natural resources in the study area in order to restore the rangelands.

A systematic strategy to analyse individual‐based models reveals pathways of degradation and recovery in Patagonian rangelands

One of the central problems in ecology is how to scale from small‐scale observations and experiments to large‐scale patterns and processes. One approach to such upscaling is to use dynamic simulation models, but their application to large scales relevant for management is limited by computational costs, and their outputs are difficult to analyse without a systematic strategy. Our general objective is to propose such a strategy. The idea is to approximate the dynamics of detailed simulation models through a set of states, external drivers, and transition matrices, and then use Markov chain and network analysis of the resulting transition matrices to gain insights into the dynamics of the underlying detailed model. We used the individual‐based model COIRON, which simulates the dynamics of semiarid grass steppes in Patagonia (Argentina) under alternative grazing management, as example. Our specific objectives are to identify pathways of degradation and rehabilitation, as well as critical grazing thresholds and early‐warning vegetation states to guide sustainable grazing management in these steppes. Our results indicate nonlinear effects of stocking rate and grazing season on steppe dynamics. Markov chain analysis suggests benefits of seasonal over continuous grazing at intermediate stocking rates, and network analysis of recovery and degradation trajectories shows that intermediate stocking rates maximize differences between grazing seasons. Finally, our analysis identified specific vegetation states as early warning signals that indicate a high risk of irreversible vegetation changes. Patagonian grass steppes should ideally be managed with multi‐paddock grazing at moderate stocking rates around 0.5 sheep ha−1. The transition matrices summarize the relevant key features of the detailed model for larger scales, and applying Markov and network theory provides a systematic strategy to analyse its dynamics to respond to biological questions, both are often difficult to obtain by direct analysis of the detailed model.

Assessing causes and implications of climate-induced migration in Kenya and Ethiopia

Climate-induced migration is an increasingly pressing issue in many African regions, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events have caused the displacement of vulnerable populations. This is especially so in Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa, particularly Kenya and Ethiopia, where extreme weather events have led to rangeland degradation, crop failures, water shortages, and food insecurity. Hence, there is a perceived need to understand these processes better. Against this background, this paper reports on a study investigating the processes associated with climate-induced migration in Kenya and Ethiopia. The research method used consisted of an expert-driven assessment approach, which assesses the causes of climate-induced migration in Kenya and Ethiopia and its human and social implications on local communities. Data were collected from 110 experts residing and working on climate and migration-related issues in Ethiopia and Kenya via e-mail, whose knowledge of the current situation has enabled the identification of some important trends. The results show that climate change is a primary trigger of migration both internally and externally. The high number of migrants, many of whom living within levels of poverty in their home areas is straining resources and services in the receiving regions. Their presence is also leading to increased competition for jobs and resources. Additionally, it has increased urban poverty, as many migrants have little access to living space and health care. This paper provides a welcome addition to the literature in that it lists the causes and implications of climate-induced migration and, by doing so, fosters a better understanding of the current crisis and its implications. The implications of this paper to the overall knowledge of climate change and migration are twofold. First, it highlights the need for governments, international organisations, and other stakeholders better to understand the complex linkages between climate change and migration. Secondly, it shows the usefulness of better recognising how climate change can drive migration and the other factors shaping the decision to migrate. The paper concludes by stating the urgent need for policies and programmes that support climate change-induced migrants. Also, it draws attention to the usefulness of promoting sustainable development in their origin countries and destinations, so that migration is not necessarily perceived as the only response to climate change. A further conclusion is that there is a perceived need for providing access to resources such as education, health care, and livelihood opportunities and establishing mechanisms to ensure a safe and dignified return for those who choose to do so.

Tropical range grasses can sustain soil functions despite nutrient depletion in semiarid degraded land

Soil function encompasses numerous functions and services the soil provides and can be measured using physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. In any event, research on fertility and biological activity is increasingly being stressed as indices of ecosystem services. Rangeland degradation is one of the world's most widespread land use changes, with serious consequences for soil processes and ecosystem services. The influence of uncontrolled grass cover on soil functioning in semiarid environments is little understood. In the current study, the following seven varieties of grass coverings were studied in a semiarid area of central India: Cenchrus ciliaris (CC), Megathyrsus maximus (MM), Chrysopogon fulvus (CF), Heteropogon contortus (HC), Sehima nervosum (SN), Vetiveria zizanioides (VZ), and Tri-Specific Hybrid (TSH). The carbon accumulation proficiency of TSH, MM, and HC was ~2.23, 2.17, and 2.07 times greater than fallow. The nutrient cycling capacity of grasses was ~1.1 to 1.6 times greater than that of fallow, despite the grasses' depleted macronutrients in the soil. The biological activity under MM and HC was ~1.23 and 1.67 times higher than fallow. Overall soil functionality under TSH and HC was 83 and 25% greater than MM, respectively. These soil functions augment ecosystem services like climate regulation, biomass production, nutrient recycling, water, and airflow. However, more attention should be paid to the management of inputs for greater ecosystem services from this grass cover in semiarid, degraded land.

“Even the goats feel the heat:” gender, livestock rearing, rangeland cultivation, and climate change adaptation in Tunisia

ABSTRACT Women's contributions to rangeland cultivation in Tunisia and the effects of climate change upon their livelihoods are both policy blind spots. To make women's contributions to rangeland cultivation visible and to provide policy inputs based on women's needs and priorities into the reforms currently being made in the pastoral code in Tunisia, we conducted fieldwork in three governorates. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 289 individuals. We found that men and women are negatively affected by rangeland degradation and water scarcity, but women are additionally disadvantaged by their inability to own land and access credit and by drought mitigation and rangeland rehabilitation training that only target men. Women are involved in livestock grazing and rearing activities to a greater extent than is assumed in policy circles but in different ways than the men from the same households and communities. Understanding how women use rangelands is a necessary first step to ensuring that they benefit from rangeland management. Women's growing involvement in livestock rearing and agricultural production must be supported with commensurate social and economic policy interventions. Providing all farmers with appropriate support to optimize rangeland use is particularly urgent in the context of resource degradation accelerated by climate change.

Arid Rangeland Degradation and Its Driving Forces in Southern Hodna, Algeria

Abstract The Algerian steppes frequently experience droughts and significant anthropogenic activities than harm its natural resources, endangering the fragile arid ecosystem’s balance. Hence, an analysis of steppe degradation can be instrumental in initiating remedial measures in the region. This study aims to assess the level of rangeland degradation in the southern Hodna region, a crucial component of the steppe landscape, and analyse the factors driving this degradation. The methodology employed a supervised classification technique, using multi-temporal remote sensing imagery from 1987 to 2016 to analyse land cover distribution. Furthermore, land cover dynamics were combined with carefully selected climatic and anthropogenic data, which were then subjected to canonical correspondece analysis to identify the primary drivers of rangeland degradation. The results reveal a sustained change in land cover dynamics, with a no table 48.65 % reduction in the rangeland class. Simultaneously, there has been a continuous expansion in sand dunes, rangeland degradation, and agriculture classes. It is worth noting that canonical correspondence analysis reveals stronger associations between rangeland degradation and anthropogenic factors than climatic factors. Finally, the study offers crucial insights into rangeland degradation in southern Hodna, aiding policymakers and land managers in developing sustainable development strategies for the region.

Traditional ecological knowledge based indicators for monitoring rangeland conditions in Thal and Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

Sustainable range resource management relies heavily on the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of indigenous peoples who have long inhabited the rangelands. Data gaps in rangeland monitoring could be reduced with the help of additional scientific techniques. The health of large-scale rangelands and the availability of their resources can be evaluated using a set of ecological indicators created by indigenous herders in those areas. Scientists from Pakistan's Punjab province interviewed herders in the Thal and Cholistan rangelands to learn more about the traditional ecological indicators used by locals to predict grazing resource availability. An ethnological and ecological survey was conducted through in-depth interviews. We conducted in-depth interviews with 80 herders from the Thal rangelands and focus groups with 120 herders from the Cholistan rangelands. Herders were asked what indicators they used to determine the quality of the forages, the health of the animals, and the extent of rangeland degradation. According to the results, all local herders evaluate the rangeland's resources using analogous indicators. Herders use four types of indicators: (a) plant indicators (Flora), (b) soil indicators, (c) animal indicators (Fauna), and (d) environmental indicators. When asked, 78% of respondents cited the variety of edible plants as the most critical factor in determining vegetation quality. Approximately 78.3% of the herders analysed the faeces to determine the general health of the animals in their range, revealing the rangeland's condition. The decrease in the litter was interpreted by 58.3% of the herders as a sign of land degradation; consequently, they reevaluated their grazing area and practices.

Seed Productivity of Natural Vegetation at UoD Campus as Affected by Mowing Frequency

Since 2000, there has been a noticeable increase of overgrazing in Kurdistan region of Iraq, particularly in Duhok governorate, as a result of the widespread movement of livestock (sheep and goats) by animal breeders from the middle of Iraq, particularly from the Nineveh steppes, to graze in Kurdistan region constantly from early spring to late summer. In addition to local livestock, tens of thousands of animals contributed to increased grazing frequencies, overgrazing, and degradation of rangelands in countless and extensive patches. The occasional fires, droughts, and overgrazing over the past three decades have all contributed significantly to that same degradation of rangeland in Iraq, specifically in the Kurdistan region, by depleting the soil seed bank, which is the fundamental source of natural vegetation restoration. As a result, this study was carried out in the spring of 2016 in Duhok Governorate to ascertain the impact of mowing frequencies (as consequences of grazing) on the seeds productivity of natural vegetation cover (total seeds, grasses seeds, legumes seeds, and other seeds productivity), and to determine the appropriate mowing frequencies to improve vegetation cover and make rangelands more sustainable. Four treatments —no mowing, once, twice, and three times— with five replications in (RCBD) experiment were implemented. The findings showed that the productivity of all seeds declined as mowing was repeated (once, twice, and three times), with the exception of (other seeds group), whose productivity improved when mowed twice in comparison to once. Natural vegetation cover can be utilized (mowed) or grazed even twice if the plant growth season has not yet exceeded the middle stage.

Pastoralists’ indigenous knowledge and perceptions of rangeland degradation in three communal rangelands of central northern Namibia

This study investigated the pastoralists' indigenous knowledge on livestock production, trends and their perceptions of rangeland degradation and its indicators in Omaandi, Epukunoyana and Oshitutuma in central northern Namibia. A total of 30 households that own livestock and two elder groups were selected from each communal area. A questionnaire was used to gather household information, and an open-ended discussion was conducted to interview elders. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical software programme (SPSS version 22 2015), where the Friedman's Chi-square test (Steel and Torrie, 1980) was used. The majority of interviewed households in Omaandi (63%), Oshitutuma (53%) and Epukunoyana (50%) were female headed families and the remaining were male headed. The mean population of goats and cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Omaandi and Epukunoyana than in Oshitutuma village. Household respondents in all villages indicated that all livestock species were primarily kept for wealth status and meat provision for consumption. Respondents in all villages indicated that lack of grazing lands and feed followed by water scarcity and recurring droughts were the primary and secondary constraints of livestock production. Elder respondents regarded overgrazing and climate change as the primary cause of rangeland degradation. Hence, the study concludes that communal rangelands are degraded and degradation resulted in gradual livestock population declining trends over the past years in communal areas, due to feed shortage.

Habitat selection and water dependency of feral burros in the Mojave Desert, California, USA

AbstractExpansion of feral burro (Equus asinus) populations across the southwestern United States is causing human–wildlife conflicts including rangeland degradation, competition with livestock and native species, and burro–vehicle collisions. On the Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) in California, feral burros interfere with military training and are involved in vehicle collisions and other conflicts (e.g., burros blocking access to buildings). Limited data on burro movements and resource use poses a challenge for the development of management plans and mitigation strategies. We estimated home range size, second‐ and third‐order seasonal resource selection, and water dependency of 10 adult female feral burros fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars on the NTC from November 2015 to April 2017. Mean 95% autocorrelated kernel home range size of female burros (253.9 ± 30.7 km2 [SE]) did not differ among seasons or between burros that resided close to or far from urban areas. Burros selected areas closer to water in all seasons and at both spatial scales, but selection was stronger in the dry season and at the landscape scale. When available, burros strongly selected for areas closer to urban areas. Burros consistently selected for areas with green forage and at lower elevations, but selection for other topographical features was variable. Water use patterns were consistent with the resource selection results. Burros visited water sources twice as often (every 22.2 ± 6.3 hr) during the hot‐dry season (Apr–Oct) compared to the cool‐wet seasons (Nov–Mar; 2015: 45.9 ± 21.0; 2016: 39.7 ± 9.3 hr). Our results suggest that urban areas, and resources therein, and water sources have the biggest influence on burro resource selection, and management plans could focus mitigation programs on these areas.