Grazing Routes Research Articles

Herders-Farmers Conflicts over Farmlands: Implications for Human and Food Security in Nigeria

Farmers and herders conflicts have remained an issue of public discourse in recent years, due to the violent dimensions the confrontations have taken. There are cases of human killings, destruction of farms and violent retaliations between herders and farmers in various parts of Nigeria. These have often contributed to human and food security challenges. While the native farmers accuse the nomadic herders of allowing their cows to destroy cultivated crops, the herders point accusing fingers at the farmers for blocking grazing routes. As a result, the groups are found in perpetual violent conflicts, leading to destruction of lives and properties. The attendant implication of this development has always been shortage of farm produce, leading to food insecurity. The study examined how struggles between nomadic herders and crop farmers have threatened human and food security in Nigeria. The study relied on secondary data and employed environmental/resources scarcity theory as a framework of analysis. The study concluded that there is need for the Nigerian government to review the existing laws as they relate to accessibility to land by members of community and strangers.

Analysis and prediction of land use/ land cover changes and its impacts on the corridors of cattle grazing routes in Benue state, Nigeria

ABSTRACT It is becoming increasingly common for cattle grazing routes to be encroached upon and changed to other land uses, and there is no clear indication of just how far these changes will go. The dynamics of land cover and how land is being used in the corridor of cattle grazing routes have received a great deal of attention. In view of this, it is imperative to assess past and future land use and land cover (LU/LC). The study aims to examine the trajectory of LU/LC changes in the cattle grazing route corridor in Benue state. The study used Landsat satellite images from 1980, 2000, and 2020, with a combination of field observations and interviews. A 200-meter buffer was created around the grazing routes, which were used to subset the Landsat images. The Random Forest supervised classification algorithm was used to classify the Landsat images. Cellular Automata (CA) and Land Change Modeler (LCM) were used to simulate the future LU/LC pattern of the grazing routes for 2050. Based on the findings, cropland and built-up areas had grown dramatically at the expense of forest and grassland. Cropland increased at an average rate of 18.18 km2/yr between 1980 and 2000. The study recommends stringent measures to regulate the causes of LU/LC changes in cattle grazing corridors.

Use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) to Manage Extensive Sheep Farming and Pasture Land

The terrestrial climate is not sufficient to produce enough food to meet the roughage needs of the animals benefiting from the pasture lands because of excessive and early grazing of those areas. Plant growth is adversely affected in pastures that are not uniformly grazed. Tracking animals using the Global Positioning System (GPS) is a very important factor in determining the uniform distribution of grazing animals in a pasture, increasing the utilization rate of the pasture, and saving costs and time. With GPS tracking systems, establishing more effective pasture-use systems by monitoring the feeding regimes of small animals, the status of feed in the pasture, and the grazing behavior of the animals would be possible. The present study aimed to investigate the use of GPS for pasture and herd management in Turkey in addition to using the traditional techniques.In the present study conducted in the village of Köseyusuflu in Yozgat Province in May 2017, 2018, and 2019, grazing benefits that were determined from the pasture containing two Akkaraman sheep herds were recorded using GPS tracking devices. The results suggested that the area covered with vegetation along the sheep’s spring grazing routes varied between 43.6 and 62.9%, the ratio of legumes in the pasture grass in the low grazing areas was between 0.50 and 4.10%, and the grass species were between 12.75 and 44.50%. We determined that the sheep in herd A traveled between 7.6 and 9.9 km, while the sheep in herd B traveled between 4.7 and 5.7 km daily, and the two herds grazed an average of between 122 and 254 daa.

Perceptions and Implications of Herdsmen and Farmer's Bloody Clashes on Sustainability and Economic Growth in Nigeria: Investigative Journalism Approach

This study examined the perceptions and implications of herdsmen and farmers bloody clashes on sustainability and economic growth in Nigeria; investigative journalism approach. The study employed a cross-sectional survey and qualitative research design in which 1000persons were interviewed to seek their perceptions on the effects of the feud. It was revealed that no party is happy with the irreparable consequences that ensued from the clash. It was shown that the herdsmen were misguided on the grazing routes which the Federal government insists on reviving or re-enacting when such routes or policy cannot be operational due to increasing human population, mechanized/commercial agricultural activities in modern days. The clash was also induced by born to rule ego, religious inclinations and mutual distrust. It does implies that persisting violence is a precursor to hunger/malnutrition, high cost of living, economic recession, civil war and disintegration of a volatile country. The crisis is persisting due to the lackadaisical/double standards attitude of government towards resolving the impasse on time. It has been seen that open grazing cannot continue in modern Nigeria. It has to be stopped for the implementation of ranching programmes. Government should intensify laws against criminality/ cattle rustlers and disarm both farmers-herdsmen of the arms they are parading everywhere. The constitutional role of government is to ensure that the rule of law prevails equally over all citizens in whatever trade, religion/ethnic background. There should be intensive media sensitisation on inter- ethnic and inter-religious tolerance and harmony in the country.

Seasonal Variations in Voluntary Intake and ApparentDigestibility of Forages by Goats in the Chinese Altai Mountains.

Simple SummaryGrazing animals have a major impact on rangelands through the consumption and trampling of vegetation along with excreta deposition. In turn, forage availability and quality, shaped by environmental and grazing impacts, affect animal performance and health. This study investigated the interaction between amount and nutritional quality of vegetation on offer and animal feed intake on alpine pastures in the Chinese Altai Mountains. To this end, daily grazing routes, vegetation on offer along the pathways, and forage consumption of goats were monitored during spring and the early and late summer season of two consecutive years. Grazing routes were longer in spring than in summer, leading to larger pasture areas utilised in spring. Despite marked differences in vegetation on offer between the two study years, quantitative feed intake did not exhibit seasonal or annual differences, indicating that the goats’ nutrient intake was not restricted on the mountain ranges.Forage availability and quality directly impact animal performance, ultimately affecting productivity and health. This study aimed to understand the interaction between qualitative and quantitative vegetation availability and feed intake of goats on alpine pastures in the Chinese Altai Mountains. The daily grazing routes of three goats from a local herding family were monitored with GPS devices set at a logging rate of 64 s during spring and the early and late summer season in 2013 and 2014. The quantity and quality of vegetation along their grazing routes was determined, and the amount of feces excreted was measured in a total of five goats per season for the indirect determination of the animals’ feed intake. The grazing routes were longer in spring than in summer, leading to larger grazing areas visited in spring. Vegetation on offer ranged from 980 to 2400 kg dry mass per hectare and was similar in the spring and summer seasons but higher in 2013 than in 2014. Feed consumption of forage and nutrients did not significantly differ between seasons and years, respectively, suggesting that the goats’ nutrient intake was not restricted by interannual variability of forage on offer. Regular monitoring of animal numbers and of vegetation quantity and quality on the mountain rangelands can help responsible government agencies to estimate forage offtake of small ruminants in order to timely adjust grazing pressure in the study region.

Land use conflict between crop and livestock producers in the Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria

The paper examines the implications of property rights on land use conflict resolution between crop farmers and nomads in the guinea savannah zone of Nigeria and the methods of resolving the conflicts. Primary data were obtained from 200 randomly selected crop farmers and 75 nomadic Fulani's in four states within the zone, together with 25 key informants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Highest levels of conflicts were recorded during the dry season (October March) when mobile herds migrate into the zone in search of pasture and water. Lack of official grazing routes caused the mobile herds to trespass on cultivated lands where growing or unharvested mature crops stood. Eight percent (8%) of past conflicts were perceived by the respondents as severe, involving use of dangerous weapons, loss of cattle and human lives. Increased social and economic interaction in Yorm of joint celebration of religious and social festivals (by 40% of nomads) with the local people and trade in cattle products and staple food items were found to be evolving over the local people and trade users. The study recommends the establishment of grazing routes within the zone while efforts should be made to enable the traditional institutions to function alongside legislation in resolving land use conflicts.

Farmers/Herdsmen Crisis and Sustainable Food Production in Nigeria

In recent times, the most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria has been deeply engulfed by many skirmishes which undermine peace and tranquillity in the country. One such threat is the debilitating Farmers/Herdsmen imbroglio that has led to blood-bathe in several parts of the states with consequential maiming or death of many citizens and destruction of unquantifiable property in the process, especially in Benua State. The security concerns in the country presently have gotten to a point of crescendo that the nation can aptly be described as the satirical 'Animal Farm' as seen in the work of George Orwell. The study utilized secondary data and quantitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Furthermore, structural functionalism theory was applied to direct the research. Drought and desertification, which are indicators of climate change were observed as the major reasons the pastoralist invade farmlands in arable areas and this led the plethoral of the conflicts. The study recommends amongst others that the government should intensify efforts to deliver nomadic education to Fulani herdsmen and their entire households; that way, they will be enlightened on the values of peace and development; also, the government should demarcate the grazing routes for way from farm settlement to avoid frequent clashes between farmers and herders.

Effect of Human Disturbances on Mahungu Green Belt Forest Reserve (MGFR) in Dodoma City, Central Tanzania

Human disturbances are the human activities, whether legally or illegally conducted in an ecosystem as they may lead to removal or death of plants. The study was piloted at Mahungu Green Belt Forest Reserve (MGFR) in 2015 to examine the effect of human disturbances. Systematic random sampling was applied. A total of 36 plots of 50 m x 50 m were established in the seven transects at an interval of 400 m. Ongoing human activities were identified and recorded. GPS was applied to locate plots, aligning transects and recording coordinates. The compass was used to direct the transect. 100 m tape was used to measure the plots. Inferential statistics was applied whereby human activities frequency and relative frequency were calculated. The identified and recorded most frequently occurred human activities were firewood collection, charcoal making, grazing and trespass routes. MGFR is potential in terms of biological diversity; it is recommended that; introduction ecotourism as and environmentally friendly projects; determination of all plant species of MGFR; education campaigns by Dodoma Universities; encourage woodlot development at household level; awareness creation; provision of environmental conservation education; enhance non-woody income-generating projects; discourage settlement expansion into the remaining forest patch; funds should be made available throughout to ensure regular patrols by field security guides, and enhance alternative sources of energy to the local people

The impacts of season and livestock management strategy on the quality of diets selected by goats and sheep in the semi-arid rangelands of Namaqualand, South Africa

Access to good-quality forages is one of the major limitations to livestock production in semi-arid pastoral systems. This study aimed to determine whether there are differences in the nutritional quality of diets selected by herded and free-ranging goat and sheep flocks utilising Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld vegetation during the wet and dry seasons. Plant samples collected along the grazing routes of livestock were dried and analysed for their fibre, condensed tannin, total phenolic and mineral nutrient contents. The study showed that a large variety of forages were on offer and livestock groups selected different diets of which some were different to the total diet on offer. In general, significant deficiencies in phosphate, protein and energy in the diets selected by herded and free-ranging goats and sheep were observed in both wet and dry season. The quality of the diets selected by herded and free-ranging livestock was also found to be different from each other, with herded livestock generally selecting more nutrient-dense diets. Herding, therefore, allows livestock to access better-quality forage in the Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld rangeland, where it is generally poor.

Perception And Adaptation Responses To Climate Change: An Assessment Of Smallholder Livestock Farmers In Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province

Livestock is a critical asset for many rural poor, however, the current climate crisis is affecting livestock farmers. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in order to assess the farmers’ perceptions of climate change, and its impact on production and adaptation responses. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 142 smallholder livestock farmers were selected from 18 villages across the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used and the observed results showed that there has been a perceived drastic decline in rainfall in the area over the last 25 years. Some of the perceived impacts were poor vegetation and limited grazing, scarcity of water resources, decreased livestock growth rate, weight, milk production and reproduction rates. Adaptation responses were limited as the results showed that the only response measures taken amongst the many options available were changing grazing routes, increasing grazing distances, destocking, water harvesting and storage, and increased dependence on social welfare. An examination of farmers’ perceptions of their adopted responses showed that none of the response measures were perceived as significantly effective. The lack of effective response to the climate change crisis is a cause for concern, as the livestock industry is endemic to the region and sustains families and entire communities. Keywords: Drought, Effectiveness, Perception, Risks

Transhumance as Antidote for Modern Sedentary Stock Raising

Few grazing themes so endure yet are so difficult for outsiders to document with certainty as historical and current-day livestock grazing routes: stock driveways. Excursions from one biome, ecotone, or landscape to another—in general, undertaken to seasonal cues — allow livestock owners and their hired herders to exploit different environments that offer notable advantages in terms of freeing livestock from unvarying diet, overtaxed grazing grounds, common diseases, and cycles of drought or drenching rain. Movement at whatever scale permits herders or shepherds an escape from monotony when they shift grazing grounds to montane-woodlands or back to lowland environments in travel that benefits both jaded humans and husbanded animals. Significant economic and ecological advantages accrue from the shifts of seasonal silvopastoralism, but the terrain, and in particular the routes animals travel, often stretch across varied land ownerships, and sifting out rights of passage is an ethnographic adventure requiring longstanding observation and consistent fieldwork. Formal scholarship about the road between is less established than literature of “the trail,” which is a staple feature of folklore, film, and fiction. As concern grows about the energy costs of using highways or railroads to move livestock, attention returns to traditional practices and legal accommodations that make possible trailing livestock under their own power. Across Europe are 4 million ha of land associated with livestock driveways, once widespread in the United States as an item of Spanish-Mexican heritage. This synthesis focuses on livestock driveway establishment in two landscapes: Spain and, secondarily, the western United States of America, with an overarching theme of how stock driveways can connect ecosystems and, by sustaining customary use, knit together silvopastoral society.

Through the lens of a herder: insights into landscape ethno-ecological knowledge on rangelands in Namaqualand

Pastoral areas around the world, including South Africa, are resource poor and external development interventions to improve conditions have largely been unsuccessful. It has been advocated that the focus should shift from external stakeholders to local pastoralists by incorporating the latter’s landscape ethno-ecological knowledge (LEEK) in future management and policy planning. Through the use of participatory methodologies, this study gazed through the lens of Namaqualand herders in South Africa to reflect their specific local needs and what they consider important in their grazing landscape. It highlights that individual pastoralists’ LEEK and management strategies vary but that all are able to read the signs in the rangeland through various plant, animal and soil indicators. As such, pastoralists systematically plan their grazing routes based on the temporal palatability of plants to allow their animals access to a diverse and nutritious diet. The braiding of LEEK into modern science would provide development agencies with the necessary insight into pastoral systems and a platform for planning and policy development.

Livestock foraging behaviour on different land use classes along the semi-arid to sub-humid agro-ecological gradient in West Africa

This study compared the use of different land use classes and major foraging activities of pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock in the southern Sahelian, northern and southern Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso by monitoring three herds each of cattle, goats and sheep in three village territories during a 1-year cycle. Grazing routes were tracked using a Global Positioning System; coordinates logged every 10 s were overlaid on maps from where time and activity allocated to different land use classes were derived. Results indicate that daily distance travelled by cattle and goat herds was similar across agro-ecological zones (AEZs; p ≥ 0.05), whereas sheep travelled shorter distances in the southern Sudanian zone than in the two more northern zones (p ≤ 0.05). Daily pasturing time of cattle and sheep was longer (p ≤ 0.05) in the southern Sahelian and northern Sudanian zone than in the southern Sudanian zone. For goats, no significant difference was found between the two Sudanian zones, where their pasturing time was shorter than in the southern Sahelian zone. Except resting for cattle, browsing for goats and walking for sheep, time spent on different foraging activities by each species was similar across AEZs. Main areas for feeding across AEZs and species were degraded lands, fallows and harvested crop fields, as well as shrub and tree savannahs in the two Sudanian zones. To safeguard the nutrition of grazing livestock herds, interventions should focus on conserving still-existing pasture lands and regional livestock migration corridors to enable use of the remaining, often highly dispersed, pasture resources.

Adaptation of Periurban Cattle Production Systems to Environmental Changes: Feeding Strategies of Herdsmen in Southern Benin

We undertook a survey of 112 cattle farms in the periphery of Cotonou in Benin, with the aim to characterize the diversity of the production systems and to better understand herders’ feeding strategies and perspectives. We used the categorical component analysis and two-step clustering techniques to classify the farms into homogeneous groups. The adaptive strategy of a given farm was predicted through logistic regression analysis technique. Four distinct farm types were identified as follows: large integrated agro-silvopastoral (17%), small agro-silvopastoral (28%), pastoral (30%), and silvopastoral (25%). Irrespective of farm type, low availability, and difficult access to pasture due to increased crop/vegetable farming, climate variability and urbanization were commonly reported by all herders. Current coping strategies included the use of lowlands pastoral resources and exploring new grazing routes. Future strategies included moving animals towards rural locations and significantly (p < 0.001) depended on farm type and its proximity to urban centers.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CONSEQUENCES ON LIVELIHOODS OF FULANI CATTLE HERDERS AND FARMERS IN KABBA-BUNU, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Farmers and Fulanis are in recent times becoming more frequently involved in land resources use conflicts. Alot of lives (human and cattle) as well as crops and properties are lost to this conflict on a regular basis. It isdue to these profound losses that the study aimed at investigating the root causes; determine the consequencesof the conflict on the respondents and ascertain the management strategies in use to curb or reduce the conflict.A total of 486 respondents were randomly selected for the study while a structured questionnaire was used fordata collection. Descriptive statistics and the logit regression were used to analyze the data. The results showsthat majority (76.4%) of the farmers interviewed are middle aged, that is between 40-59 years while majority(76.7%) of the Fulanis are youths between 20 and 39 years. The result further shows that majority (70.0%) offarmers and 47.4% of Fulanis said destruction of crops/animals was the major source of conflict. The results oneffect of conflict on the losses incurred by the farmer’s shows that all the variables had direct relationship withconflict. However, only the loss of crops (2.047) and loss of other properties (1.016) had significant effect onconflict at p < 0.05 and p< 0.01, respectively. The results on the effect of conflict on the losses incurred by theFulanis show that only loss of cattle (1.003) is statistically significant at p < 0.05. It has a direct relationshipwith the Fulanis conflict with the farmers. The result of the conflict resolution methods shows that majority(90.3% and 72.3%) of farmers and Fulanis, respectively, agree that payment of compensation is the best way ofsettling conflict between farmers and Fulanis. The results on the selected conflict management strategiesindicate that majority (49.7%) of farmers and 52.2% of Fulanis hold the view that the use of traditional rulersin conflict resolution is the most preferred. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended among othersthat: Existing laws on grazing routes should be reviewed and strengthened by the National Assembly andvarious State Assemblies. The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and other insuranceorganizations should devise insurance policies as strategies of reaching farmers and Fulanis to ensure supportwhenever they suffer losses which will go a long way to mitigate their sufferings and Government should ensurethat adequate compensation is paid to farmers and Fulanis who suffer losses.

Rehabilitation of the Steppe Lygeum spartum in the Region of Naama (Western Algeria)

In the steppe south-Oranian of Naama (Algeria), clearing, overgrazing and overexploitation of vegetation expose the soil surface pastoral rangeland desertification intense. Intervention measures to this alarming situation are to promote the process of reverse degradation reconstruction, restoration and rehabilitation of degraded steppe by the technique of exclosure. This technique of fencing which is to put the grazing of degraded areas in order to promote the restoration and it may be sufficient to reconstruct the condition she still have the ability to correct itself degradation effects these pathways. She favors natural regeneration, the most appropriate to induce biological recovery of natural steppe. With a number of transects inside and outside the exclosure. These transects is a grid that can scan the entire site and put some grazing routes nearby free range. Along these transects, phytoecological are placed every 200 m in an area of 100 m2. Following this assessment, remediation by technical exclosure the steppe of Lygeum spartum has a positive impact on biological recovery by a quantitative and qualitative increase in the rate of recovery of vegetation, floristic richness and of phytomass.

Prospects of using community directed intervention strategy in delivering health services among Fulani Nomads in Enugu State, Nigeria

BackgroundThe Community Directed Interventions (CDI) strategy has proven effective in increasing access to health services in sedentary populations. It remains to be seen if CDI strategy is feasible among nomads given the dearth of demographic and medical data on the nomads. This study thus characterized the nomadic populations in Enugu State, Nigeria and outlined the potentials of implementing CDI among nomads.Study design and methodsThis exploratory study adopted qualitative methods. Forty focus group discussions (FGD) were held with members of 10 nomadic camps in 2 LGAs in Enugu State, as well as their host communities. Thirty in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with leaders of nomadic camps and sedentary populations. Ten IDIs with traditional healers in the nomadic camps and 14 key informant interviews with health workers and programme officers were also conducted. Documents and maps were reviewed to ascertain the grazing routes of the nomads as well as existing health interventions in the area.ResultsLike sedentary populations, nomads have definable community structures with leaders and followers, which is amenable to implementation of CDI. Nomads move their cattle, in a definite pattern, in search of grass and water. In this movement, the old and vulnerable are left in the camps. The nomads suffer from immunization preventable health problems as their host communities. The priority health problems in relation to CDI include malaria, measles, anemia, and other vaccine preventable infections. However, unlike the sedentary populations, the nomads lack access to health interventions, due to the mutual avoidance between the nomads and the sedentary populations in terms of health services. The later consider the services as mainly theirs. The nomads, however, are desirous of the modern health services and often task themselves to access these modern health services in private for profit health facilities when the need arises.ConclusionGiven the definable organizational structure of the nomads in Enugu State and their desire for modern health intervention, it is feasible to test the CDI strategy for equitable healthcare delivery among nomads. They are willing and capable to participate actively in their own health programmes with minimal support from professional health workers.

Determinants of actual functional connectivity for calcareous grassland communities linked by rotational sheep grazing

In fragmented landscapes, plant species persistence depends on functional connectivity in terms of pollen flow to maintain genetic diversity within populations, and seed dispersal to re-colonize habitat patches following local extinction. Connectivity in plants is commonly modeled as a function of the physical distance between patches, without testing alternative dispersal vectors. In addition, pre- and post-dispersal processes such as seed production and establishment are likely to affect patch colonization rates. Here, we test alternative models of potential functional connectivity with different assumptions on source patch effects (patch area and species occupancy) and dispersal (relating to distance among patches, matrix composition, and sheep grazing routes) against empirical patch colonization rates at the community level (actual functional connectivity), accounting for post-dispersal effects in terms of structural elements providing regeneration niches for establishment. Our analyses are based on two surveys in 1989 and in 2009 of 48 habitat specialist plants in 62 previously abandoned calcareous grassland patches in the Southern Franconian Alb in Bavaria, Germany. The best connectivity model S i , as identified by multi-model inference, combined distance along sheep grazing routes including consistently and intermittently grazed patches with mean species occupancy in 1989 as a proxy for pre-dispersal effects. Community-level patch colonization rates depended to equal degrees on connectivity and post-dispersal process. Our study highlights that actual functional connectivity of calcareous grassland communities cannot be approximated by structural connectivity based on physical distance alone, and modeling of functional connectivity needs to consider pre- and post-dispersal processes.

Patterns of resource use by livestock during and after drought on the commons of Namaqualand, South Africa

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drought on grazing patterns of livestock in a communal rangeland in Namaqualand. Water points were the foci of almost all grazing routes even after the drought, and the areas away from the water points were less heavily utilized. The mountains could be regarded as key resource areas for livestock since the grazing intensity was higher in the elevated areas of the rangeland than on the surrounding low lying areas during and immediately after drought. Spatial patterns of resource use by livestock on the commons did not differ during the drought and post-drought period. The lengths of the daily grazing routes were similar for both periods. This may be a consequence of the weakness of animals during the drought when forage was scarce which prevented them from walking further. The size of home ranges of the herds did not change during the two monitoring periods. We attribute this to social reasons because herders try to avoid the mixing of herds. In the commons of Namaqualand, herders are also spatially constrained and this restricts their options to adapt to drought, and hence many animals died.

Environmental perceptions and practices of livestock keepers on the Namaqualand Commons challenge conventional rangeland management

In South Africa, interventions in communal rangelands proposed by most agriculture-sector institutions are still dominated by the belief that communal herders have little technical skills and by the tenets of “the tragedy of the Commons”, assuming that individual livestock keepers are selfish, norm free, and aiming at maximising short-term offtake and that there is no consistent management of the commons. In this study we show that practices of a diversity of livestock keepers on the Leliefontein Commons of Namaqualand are at odds with this viewpoint: access to rangeland and its use are structured by collective norms and concerns regarding both the sharing of resources and their long-term sustainability. We also show that part of the management of the commons relies on grazing practices which involve tacit and formalised technical knowledge that can be described and modelled. Livestock keepers assess the heterogeneity of the grazing quality of the commons. They are aware of the toxicity and unpalatability of some plants, of the way this differs according to the amount ingested and the availability of other forage, and of the variations of these two factors over seasons of grazing. They classify grazing areas and decide on daily grazing routes according to a complex set of criteria. Carrying capacity of each area is not considered as a fixed parameter but rather as a variable dependant on rainfall. Seasonal movements between areas are designed accordingly. These findings offer a new perspective for research agendas on technical models and extension measures for communal rangeland management particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.