Largest Livestock Population Research Articles

Bioenergy for India: prospects, problems and tasks

Biomass energy has always been considered an important element in the energy planning of a tropical country such as India. However, the attention of energy planners is focussed mainly on firewood and agro residues as sources of energy. In this paper the total annual biomass growth in India, including leaves, grasses and weeds, has been examined. The implication of the large livestock population for the availability of leafy biomass as a source of energy has been explored. The low conversion efficiency of the traditional use of bullock power has been pointed out. The improvements possible with a modern use of fodder biomass through biogas production are indicated. The strategy for a more efficient use of biomass resources has been discussed.

Development of an integrated water resources management plan for the Lake Manyara sub-basin, Northern Tanzania

Water resources management in Lake Manyara sub-basin is an issue of very high significance as the sub-basin hosts a number of national and global assets of great socio-cultural, ecological and economic values. The sub-basin comprise of a Biosphere Reserve with boosting tourism from Lake Manyara National Park with a variety of wildlife population, large livestock population and highly fertile land for agricultural production. The prevailing system of uncoordinated water resources management in the sub-basin cannot sustain the ever increasing water needs of the various expanding sectors, therefore a strategy must be sought to integrate the various sectoral needs against the available water resources in order to attain both economic and ecological sustainability. Through participatory approach with the stakeholders, the study has established key issues, demonstrated considerable experience in water resources management in the sub-basin including existence of water boards, water committees in some districts as well as land resources management practices However, a number of constraints were noted which inhibit sustainable water resources management including ignorance of water policies, conflicting sectoral policies, lack of coordination between sectors, high in migration rates into the basin, heavy in migration of livestock, conflicts between sectors, poor land use resulting in soil erosion and sedimentation, lack of comprehensive data base on water resources and water needs for : domestic, tourism, livestock, irrigation, wild life and environmental flows. As a way forward it was recommended that a basin wide legally mandated body (involving all levels) be established to oversee water use in the sub-basin. Other strategies include capacity building of stakeholders on water natural resources management policies, water rights and enforcement of laws. This progress report paper highlights the wealth of knowledge that stakeholders possess on water resources management and using that platform develop a participatory Integrated water resources management where roles and responsibilities are ironed out.

50. KEYNOTE: Forensic examination of suspected firearms injuries to wildlife

Water resources management in Lake Manyara sub-basin is an issue of very high significance as the sub-basin hosts a number of national and global assets of great socio-cultural, ecological and economic values. The sub-basin comprise of a Biosphere Reserve with boosting tourism from Lake Manyara National Park with a variety of wildlife population, large livestock population and highly fertile land for agricultural production. The prevailing system of uncoordinated water resources management in the sub-basin cannot sustain the ever increasing water needs of the various expanding sectors, therefore a strategy must be sought to integrate the various sectoral needs against the available water resources in order to attain both economic and ecological sustainability. Through participatory approach with the stakeholders, the study has established key issues, demonstrated considerable experience in water resources management in the sub-basin including existence of water boards, water committees in some districts as well as land resources management practices However, a number of constraints were noted which inhibit sustainable water resources management including ignorance of water policies, conflicting sectoral policies, lack of coordination between sectors, high in migration rates into the basin, heavy in migration of livestock, conflicts between sectors, poor land use resulting in soil erosion and sedimentation, lack of comprehensive data base on water resources and water needs for : domestic, tourism, livestock, irrigation, wild life and environmental flows. As a way forward it was recommended that a basin wide legally mandated body (involving all levels) be established to oversee water use in the sub-basin. Other strategies include capacity building of stakeholders on water natural resources management policies, water rights and enforcement of laws. This progress report paper highlights the wealth of knowledge that stakeholders possess on water resources management and using that platform develop a participatory Integrated water resources management where roles and responsibilities are ironed out.

Evaluation of the livestock carrying capacity of land resources in the Hills of Nepal based on total digestive nutrient analysis

Land degradation and poverty caused by traditional arable agriculture have been serious problems in the ecologically fragile and economically backward mountains of Nepal. There is a prospect to address both of these problems to some extent by promoting livestock raising. However, a large livestock population exceeding the carrying capacity of land resources will risk undermining the sustainability and productivity of these resources. On the basis of these concerns, this study analyzes the carrying capacity of land resources under on-going and improved management systems based on total digestive nutrient (TDN) demand and supply situation in the study area. Results of analyses revealed that under the current type of management system, land resources in Shyangja district could provide the required amount of TDN to 147,735 livestock standard units (LSU), whereas the total number of LSU had already reached 203,510 as of 1996/97. Provided improvements are made in forest and grazing-land management as well as in crop production and agroforestry systems in line with assumptions made, land resources in the study area will be able to accommodate additional 6408 LSU on top of existing stock by the year 2001/02 and 63,113 LSU by the year 2006/07.

Six ecological factors that may limit African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus

AbstractAfrican wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) always live at low population densities relative to sympatric large carnivores. This suggests that there are basic ecological reasons for the wild dog's endangered status. We examined the effects of intraspecific and interspecific competition, infectious diseases, foraging success, genetics and human activities on wild dogs. We present data from wild dogs in the Selous Game Reserve, and make comparisons with other populations to identify the limiting factors that are broadly important. The high density of wild dogs in Selous (40 adults/1000 km2) is associated with weak competition from lions and spotted hyenas. Across ecosystems, population density is negatively related to the intensity of interference competition with larger carnivores. Predation by lions and hyenas accounted for 13% of known‐cause deaths in Selous and 33–50% in other populations. Intraspecific competition caused 69% of known‐cause deaths in Selous, through infanticide and fights between packs, although most of the victims were juveniles with low reproductive value. Infectious diseases had little apparent impact in Selous (4% of deaths) or Kruger National Park (5%), but did play a role in the extinction of a small population in Serengeti. Infectious diseases and competition will generally interact because competitors harbor and transmit the diseases that affect wild dogs. Human activities caused 12% of deaths in Selous, even though it is large (43 000 km2) and does not border large human or livestock populations. Humans were the major agent of mortality in some populations. Foraging success varied little across ecosystems and was not apparently limiting. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes revealed clinal variation between Selous and distant populations (rather than geographically isolated subspecies, as previously suggested). All wild dog populations have a genetically effective size (Ne) less than 500, so gene flow is necessary to maintain genetic diversity within populations.

Six ecological factors that may limit African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) always live at low population densities relative to sympatric large carnivores. This suggests that there are basic ecological reasons for the wild dog's endangered status. We examined the effects of intraspecific and interspecific competition, infectious diseases, foraging success, genetics and human activities on wild dogs. We present data from wild dogs in the Selous Game Reserve, and make comparisons with other populations to identify the limiting factors that are broadly important. The high density of wild dogs in Selous (40 adults/1000 km2) is associated with weak competition from lions and spotted hyenas. Across ecosystems, population density is negatively related to the intensity of interference competition with larger carnivores. Predation by lions and hyenas accounted for 13% of known-cause deaths in Selous and 33–50% in other populations. Intraspecific competition caused 69% of known-cause deaths in Selous, through infanticide and fights between packs, although most of the victims were juveniles with low reproductive value. Infectious diseases had little apparent impact in Selous (4% of deaths) or Kruger National Park (5%), but did play a role in the extinction of a small population in Serengeti. Infectious diseases and competition will generally interact because competitors harbor and transmit the diseases that affect wild dogs. Human activities caused 12% of deaths in Selous, even though it is large (43 000 km2) and does not border large human or livestock populations. Humans were the major agent of mortality in some populations. Foraging success varied little across ecosystems and was not apparently limiting. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes revealed clinal variation between Selous and distant populations (rather than geographically isolated subspecies, as previously suggested). All wild dog populations have a genetically effective size (Ne) less than 500, so gene flow is necessary to maintain genetic diversity within populations.

La prospection des ligneux fourragers dans la Communauté économique des Pays des Grands Lacs (Burundi, Rwanda, Zaïre)

Les prospections faites auprès des éleveurs et bouviers des grandes régions d'élevage du Burundi, du Rwanda et du Zaïre, ont permis d'inventorier 242 espèces d'arbres et arbustes indigènes consommés par les bovins, caprins et ovins. Ces espèces sont réparties dans 53 familles botaniques. Tous les ruminants domestiques des régions prospectées s'adonnent au brout à l'une ou l'autre époque de l'année, selon la disponibilité en herbes fourragères et surtout selon l'espèce animale à laquelle ils appartiennent. L'époque de prélèvement maximal reste la saison sèche. L'éleveur traditionnel a une bonne connaissance des arbres et arbustes fourragers indigènes mais les principaux usages qu'il leur reconnaît sont ceux de tout arbre. L'usage fourrager est simplement observé, ce qui explique que les arbres et arbustes fourragers ne font pas l'objet d'un traitement particulier. L'analyse chimique de quelques espèces a été effectuée et s'est révélée intéressante avec une moyenne en matières azotées de 18,5 % de la matière sèche en saison des pluies et 17,6 %en saison sèche.

Problems of land use planning in the communal areas of Zimbabwe: a case study of Gutu District, Masvingo Province

The large human and livestock populations in relation to the land area, coupled with the ‘user-right’ land tenure system, makes the land use planning process in the communal lands of Zimbabwe a special case. Problems are associated with the historical and legislative background of the land issue in Zimbabwe. The initial problems involved boundary disputes between kraalheads, the balance of power between the traditional leadership and local government leaders and inadequate data collection. Within the planning process the problems hinged on reconciling an ‘ideal plan’ with one acceptable to the community. It also depended on the community appreciating that their land comprised a finite resource. Therefore a compromise land reorganization plan was produced in which the land use planning principles remained in the background as a referral point. This plan gives the community a chance to revitalize their communal land resources, something that was only reflected in the principles of the 1951 Native Land Husbandry Act.

Estimating Stock Water Use in Rural Water Systems

Recently there has been an increase in the number of regional water supply systems in the Midwest. These systems often serve large livestock populations in addition to the domestic needs within the region. Peak use periods in a rural water supply system with large livestock populations are longer than those seen in high density residential areas. The increased length of peak use can be attributed to livestock feeding operations, but it is not possible to distinguish between the domestic and livestock influences at any particular time. Peak rates of use were found to occur between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The nomographs indicating daily livestock water consumption developed from data collected in the literature appear to give reasonable predictions of livestock water requirements based on animal weight and average environmental temperature.