Pastoral Livelihoods Research Articles

Factors contributing to the introduction and spread of Peste des Petits ruminants virus in the Republic of Chad

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious, contagious and inoculable disease. It is widely distributed in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It was described for the first time in Côte d'Ivoire by Gargadennec and Lalanne in 1942. This pathology, similar to rinderpest at the clinical and antigenic level, reveals a capital and growing importance and constitutes a brake on the development of the breeding of small ruminants because the economic losses are considerable (morbidity is 100% and mortality 90%). The pathogen is a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, the family Paramyxoviridae. This widespread and devastating disease of small ruminants causes very significant losses to the economy, food security and the livelihoods of pastoralists. Globally, it is one of the priority diseases indicated in the five-year of global action plan of the FAO-OIE Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Diseases (GF-TADs). The Republic of Chad, like other countries has joined this line with an ambition of its eradication by 2025. The existence of PPR in Chad has been demonstrated for a long time, but no data exists for the moment on the factors of its introduction and spread in the country. This article describes the main factors behind its introduction and spread in the country.

Imperatives for Pastoral Livelihood Sustainability in the Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

The seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form a firm foundation for livelihoods and ecologi-cal sustainability in biodiversity conservation. Of the 17 SDGs, five of them focus on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12), promotion of actions at all levels to deal with climate change (SDG 13), protecting and restoring all terrestrial ecosystems to end biodiversity loss (SDG 15), achieving peaceful and inclusive societies, the rule of law, effective and capable institutions (SDG 16) and strengthening and enhancing the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17) form the bond within which other SDGs coalesce with the goal of attaining sustainability of planetary ecosystems. The Kenyan and Tanzanian constitutions also are aligned to the achievement of livelihood sustainability. The fragmentation of the Mau-Mara ecosystem and consequent loss of wildlife habitat, the occurrence of droughts due to fluctuating rainfall patterns, loss of woody vegetation, commercial agricultural land use, population growth, increase in human settlement, and associated poaching are some of the factors responsible for shrinking wildlife resources in the Mara. Climate change poses a serious challenge for the Mara due to its adverse effects on temperature and rainfall patterns. Several recommendations have been suggested in this paper regarding different ways of addressing these human-wildlife conflicts. They include growing wildlife as a cash crop with a bonus to the local community and collaboration with the private sector to enhance the free movement of livestock while also freeing space within wildlife corridors, among others. This paper attempts to examine how the Maasai pastoral livelihoods are changing and the strategies adopted to cope with climate change and competing land uses in the Mara ecosystem. Suggestions are also made on some practical solutions that could contribute to sustainable pastoral livelihood systems in the area if implemented. This paper relies on literature search and review of various research works carried out in the Mara-Serengeti to highlight key issues involving livelihoods’ sustainability in the Mara ecosystem. The research revealed the threat posed by climate change and underlined the need for adaptation ensure livelihood sustainability.

Examining Profitability, Viability, and Commercialization Level of Beef Cattle Production among Pastoralists in the Simanjiro District of the Manyara Region, Tanzania

Beef cattle production is significant in wealth creation and improving livelihoods of pastoralists, thus reducing poverty. Nevertheless, most pastoralists continue to live in poverty. This study, thus, sought to assess the profitability, viability, and commercialization level of beef cattle production, as well as the socioeconomic characteristics among pastoralists in the Simanjiro District of the Manyara Region, Tanzania. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 398 pastoralists, using interviews and questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, gross margin (GM), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and household commercialization index (HCI) methods were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the average age of the pastoralists was 47.7 years with a family size of 10.9. On average, the pastoralists had about 26.4 years of farming experience. Most of the pastoralists (59.3%) had no formal education. Among the pastoralists, only 3% had access to farm credits. Further analysis showed that 98.7% of pastoralists marketed their beef cattle to primary auction markets of which 75.4% of price-setting methods were inappropriate (unprofitable). Among the pastoralists, only 3.8% added value to beef cattle before selling. The average cattle herd size was 119.7 heads, of which 98.4% of cattle herd sizes were local breed cattle. Gross margin and Benefit-Cost Ratio were 136.8 US$ and 2.9, respectively, while household commercialization index was 3.9%. Medication costs constituted 44% of the total variable costs involved in beef cattle production. This study, thus, concluded that beef cattle production is profitable and highly viable to run as a business. However, the commercialization level is low. Furthermore, keeping local breed cattle, inappropriate pricing methods, low-value addition, reliance on primary auction markets, limited access to credits, low level of education, and costs for medications; continue to be critical obstacles to improving profitability, viability, and commercialization level of beef cattle production among pastoralists.

Roads to Change: Livelihoods, Land Disputes, and Anticipation of Future Developments in Rural Kenya

This article examines how rural roads relate to differences in livelihood patterns, attitudes toward social change, and land disputes in Baringo, Kenya. Although their direct use is limited for many residents, roads have a highly differentiating impact. While some households orientate themselves toward roads, those relying more on (agro-)pastoralist livelihoods avoid their proximity. Our findings suggest that better-off households are not the only ones that tend to live closer to roads, but that poorer households do as well. Rather than by socio-economic status, households living closer to roads can be characterized by higher degrees of formal education and also appear to be more open to economic and social change. Our data also highlight dynamics of land disputes in the face of ongoing large-scale infrastructural investments in Kenya’s previously marginal northern drylands.

Understanding Factors Affecting Livelihood Strategies of Firewood and Charcoal Producers in the Dry Lands of Ethiopia

This study identifies the determinants that influence the livelihood strategies of firewood and charcoal producers. The paper involves a survey questionnaire of 295 sample households based on snow ball sampling method in the dry lands of Oromia and Afar regions during 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) model. Results show that 39% of households derived their income from crop and 47% from wood fuel for those households whose livelihoods strategy in farming. Households in agro pastoral livelihood strategy about 58% and 21 % derived their income from wood fuel and crop, respectively. Households whose depend their livelihood strategies on pastoral, 51% generate their income from wood fuel and 29% from wage. The model reveal that sex, age, education, family size, livestock holding, farm size, distance, off-farm activity, relief aid, training, market information, and membership on institution were significantly affected the livelihood strategy of firewood and charcoal producers in the dry lands of Ethiopia. Therefore, firewood and charcoal producer livelihoods are diverse and policy makers need to reflect on the most suitable ways of supporting sustainable use of dry land forest management and socio-economic intervention options. Keywords : Charcoal, Dry land, Ethiopia, Firewood, Livelihood DOI: 10.7176/JETP/11-2-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

Reproductive Diseases and Disorders of Female Camels: An Assessment and Pathological and Bacteriological Study in Eastern Ethiopia.

Camels are the most efficient domesticated animals in arid and semiarid areas of the world. In Ethiopia, they are the main livestock kept to sustain the livelihoods of pastoralists, as camels are used for milk and meat production and also for transportation. However, she-camel reproductive diseases are one of the major constraints for camel-producing communities. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to December 2019 to identify and characterize pathological lesions and isolate possible bacteria associated with reproductive diseases and disorders in she-camels slaughtered at Dire Dawa and Babille municipal abattoirs. A total of 155 study animals were examined by recruiting all she-camels slaughtered during every abattoir visit. Overall, 562 reproductive organs, the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, and cervix, were examined through observation, palpation, and incision, and the animal- and organ-level pathological lesion prevalence were found to be 29% and 64.6%, respectively. Degenerative changes, inflammatory lesions (endometritis and salpingitis), growth disturbances (e.g., ovarian hypoplasia), and noninflammatory lesions (e.g., noninflammatory edema) were the identified pathological lesions. Occurrences of pathological changes among reproductive organs had differences where significantly the highest proportion (p = 0.00) was observed in the uteri. Of the 119 microbiological samples processed, 77.3% were positive for single or mixed bacterial genera, from which 7 different bacterial isolates and 14 other unidentified Gram-negative bacteria were detected. E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated organisms with 28.2%, 26.9%, and 12.8% frequencies, respectively. The result of the questionnaire survey showed 74% of the respondents had culled the she-camel at productive age because of poor reproductive performance associated with refused mating, abortion, and repeat breeding (poor conception). On the other hand, a majority of camel herders had poor to no information and access to modern veterinary services; nevertheless, they had good indigenous knowledge on how to manage reproductive abnormalities. Considering the importance of camels in our study area, further research on camel reproductive diseases and abnormalities with wider sample and epidemiology need to be conducted using molecular and hormonal assay techniques.

Impact of climate change on pastoralists’ resilience and sustainable mitigation in Punjab, Pakistan

Climate change has adversely affected pastoral community in Pakistan through increased severity of livestock diseases, floods, and drought. These climatic hazards caused extensive livestock loss and worsen livelihood of pastoralists’ households. Pastoralists are higher vulnerable to these climate shocks and livestock major source of their nutrition and income. This research work focused to analyze the factors affecting resilience of pastoral community in Punjab province of Pakistan. Understanding shocks of climate change in historical perspective of pastoral community, consultation for key information, and focus group discussions were managed. The study collected data of 768 pastoral households’ regarding pastoral shocks experience, long-term adaptation measures, and coping strategies through external support for resilience upright. Principal component analysis was used for construction of resilience index of pastoral households. In estimating institutional factors, adaptive practice and socio-demographic effects on pastoral households’ resilience structured probit regression were employed in the study. Extension services access, availability of adequate formal credit, pastoral household income, schooling years and adaptive practice like afforestation, the practice of ethno-veterinary, improved stock breeding, beekeeping, enclosures, and grazing of crop fields post-harvest affect significantly and positively in developing pastoral household resilience to shocks. In the past scenario long-term adaptation strategies, policy measures ignored, while investment priority was focused on risk-reducing measures. To enhance long-run pastoral household resilience status regarding climate change shocks, there is need for direct investment to increase adaptive capacity pastoral community.

Using Research to Support Transformative Impacts on Complex, “Wicked Problems” With Pastoral Peoples in Rangelands

Pastoralists and researchers (and others) are finding new ways of working together worldwide, attempting to sustain pastoral livelihoods and rangelands in the face of rapid and profound changes driven by globalization, growing consumption, land-use change, and climate change. They are doing this partly because of a greater need to address increasing complex or “wicked” problems, but also because local pastoral voices (and sometimes science) still have little impact on decision-making in the governmental and private sectors. We describe here, using six worldwide cases, how collaborative rangelands partnerships are transforming how we learn about rangelands and pastoralists, whose knowledge gets considered, how science can support societal action, and even our fundamental model of how science gets done. Over the long-term, collaborative partnerships are transforming social-ecological systems by implementing processes like building collaborative relationships, co-production/co-generation of knowledge, integration of knowledges, social learning, capacity building, networking and implementing action. These processes are changing mental models and paradigms, creating strong and effective leaders, changing power relations, providing more robust understanding of rangeland systems, reducing polarization and supporting the implementation of new practices and policies. Collaborative partnerships have recurring challenges and much work is yet to be done. These challenges rest on the enduring complexity of social-ecological problems in rangelands. At a practical level, partnerships struggle with listening, amplifying and partnering with diverse (and sometimes marginalized) voices, the time commitment needed to make partnerships work, the bias and naivete of scientists, the recognition that partnerships can promote negative transformations, management of power relations within the partnership, and the need to attribute impacts to partnership activities. We think that the future of this work will have more focus on systems transformations, morals and ethics, intangible and long-term impacts, critical self-assessment, paradigm shifts and mental models, and power. Overall, we conclude that these partnerships are transformative in unexpected and sometimes intangible ways. Key transformations include changing mental models and building the next generation of transformative leaders. Just as important is serendipity, where participants in partnerships take advantage of new windows of opportunity to change policy or create new governance institutions. We also conclude that collaborative partnerships are changing how we do science, creating new and transformative ways that science and society interact that could be called “transformative science with society.”

Changes in Livelihood Aspirations among Formally Educated Pastoral Youth in Northern Kenya

Impacts on rangeland health as a result of climate change, land fragmentation, and modernization continues to threaten pastoral livelihoods and ecosystem processes around the world. In response, more and more pastoral youth are enrolled in formal education, with hopes of diversifying their future incomes with non-pastoral employment. As youth spend more time in the classroom and less time herding, perceptions and values of traditional pastoral livelihoods may be changing, which may directly affect local grazing pressures and local rangeland health. Using a game-like scenario methodology, this study measured perceptions and values of traditional pastoral livelihoods and non-traditional contemporary income-earning opportunities among formally educated youth of Samburu, Kenya. Results found all student groups generally aspired to destock their herds and diversify their incomes. Male students showed some tendency to restock following favorable conditions, and students with more years of formal education tended to destock the most. Implications of the findings on the future of pastoralism is discussed, including potential effects on livestock holdings, and the possibility that formal education can lead to changes in rangeland condition.

Everyday Forest Rights: Claiming Territories and Pastoral Livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, India

This article explores the multiple processes of maintaining access and asserting user rights to forest space among the Van Gujjar pastoralists in North India. In particular, the Forest Rights Act of 2006 (FRA) has created an opportunity for forest dwellers across India to seek legal means to forest rights. Conducting ethnographic fieldwork, organising workshops on forest rights, and mapping traditional territories among the Van Gujjars, we observed that complex cultural performances are necessary for the Van Gujjars to claim access to forest areas and resources—legal or otherwise. These performances include, but are not limited to, litigation, supporting emergent leaders, and caring for cattle and kin under constant threats of evictions. Drawing on recent scholarship on the everyday formation of territorial governments, we examine how communities maintain, contest, or reinvent cultural practices and governance in the context of their struggles for access inscribed as forest rights. In contrasting cases among two groups of Van Gujjars seeking rights to forest spaces in the two neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, we shed light on the repercussions that formally or informally engaging the FRA can have for communities of forest dwellers. Based on ethnographic research completed between 2012 and 2019, we find that 1) the Van Gujjar territorial governments carrying on these claims are more diverse than the law recognises, and that 2) not all communities see it worthy to organise a territorial government claiming formal rights under the FRA. Fundamentally, we discern that more immediate threats to Van Gujjar livelihoods result in a greater shift in their cultural practices towards organising a territorial government seeking forest rights through the FRA.

Transhumant Domicile and Educational Service Delivery for Pastoralist Afars Children in Ethiopia-Implications for Mobility Mapping

The aim of this study is to investigate the rationale for the seasonality of mobility, division of labor and organizations, and the availability of educational services in their routes and mobility corridors. It further looks for the convenience of the education service delivery to the mobile way of life and pastoralist livelihoods of Afar pastoralists and its implications for the need to have mobility mapping for effective delivery so as achieve educational equity. Hence, it follows a qualitative exploratory design so as to investigate the existing facts on the mobility of pastoralists’ Afars. The qualitative data was gathered from purposively selected clan leaders. The data were categorized thematically and analysed qualitatively. The findings revealed that Afar pastoralists’ mobility is rational, systematic, and well organized through their traditional social structure with a clear division of labor. Moreover, the education service delivery modalities are not fit in to the mobile way of life in which they are not following their mobility pattern, route, and corridors. This gives the insight to have a mobility mapping for clearer information of their mobility and school mapping so as to deliver proper education and achieve educational equity.

Ecosystem services and disservices associated with pastoral systems from Patagonia, Argentina – A review

Pastoral systems worldwide secure rural livelihoods in the harshest environments on Earth. Their low productivity per area unit or head makes them the subject of much criticism with regard to their environmental impact, particularly in relation to global warming, desertification and land degradation. Such is the case of the traditional pastoral systems of Patagonia, a vast and isolated region where sedentary and mobile pastoralism coexist and contribute to shape landscapes and cultures. We argue that pastoral systems provide a wide range of ecosystem services that may compensate for their negative impact on the environment. We review the scarcely available evidence from Patagonia to identify ecosystem services and disservices associated with pastoralism, and pay special attention to the carbon balance: with C footprints between 10 to 40 kg CO2-eq.kg−1 carcass, pastoral systems in dry Patagonia are below or within the range of semi-extensive livestock systems worldwide (35–45 CO2-eq. kg−1 carcass). To inform development and policy, the assessment of trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services needs to incorporate the intertwined social and ecological dynamics of complex pastoral systems, along resource regenerative trajectories.

Sudan – Land, Climate, Energy, Agriculture and Development: A Study in the Sudano-Sahel Initiative for Regional Development, Jobs, and Food Security

Sudan is situated in Sub-Saharan Africa, covering an area of about 1.9 million km2 and has a population of 43 million. It is regarded as one of the countries in the world where human development is least advanced with a poverty rate of about 46%. Sudan’s economy is based on agriculture, which contributes about one-third of the (GDP). Sudan’s agriculture has three distinct crop and three distinct livestock production systems. The Crop production systems are: irrigated, traditional and mechanized rain-fed farming. The livestock production systems are: nomadic, transhumant and sedentary systems. The annual cultivated land is around 20 million hectares, more than 85% of which are rain-fed. The livestock population is estimated at 105 million heads concentrated in nomadic and transhumant production systems. Water resources in Sudan are: river Nile and its tributaries, seasonal streams, underground water and surface water. Sources of energy are: biomass; electricity (hydro and fossil fuels) and petroleum products, accounting for about 78,8% and 14%, respectively, of the total energy balance. Sudan has significant renewable energy resources. Particularly solar energy is well distributed all over the country thus having the potential to facilitate the provision of energy services to rural settlements. Sudanese land cover classes indicated that 51% of the country area is bare rocks and soil, agriculture land is 13%, and tree cover and herbaceous vegetation cover 36% of the total Sudan area. The annual crop cultivated area is around 20 million ha and the main crops occupying more than 90% of the cultivated area are sorghum, millet, wheat, sesame and groundnut. Rangelands are the backbone of the livelihood of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists producing annually about 73% of the total feed required for national herds. The forest area is about 22 million ha thus comprising three different classes: federal, state, and community/private forests. Sudan is one of the most seriously affected countries by desertification in Africa. Recent GIS and remote sensing results indicated that between 1958 and 2017 the desert boundary was moved more to the south pushing the country into a historical desertification disaster. Several attempts were made to formulate regulations and legislations to combat soil degradation and desertification. However, desertification in Sudan remains a major environmental threat. Sudan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, ranking 175th out of 181 countries. Analyses of rainfall and temperature have demonstrated a high rainfall variability and a clear rise in maximum and minimum temperature. Key climate change impacts include: reduced crops and livestock productivity, reduction in the duration of the growing season and socioeconomic impact such as conflict over resources and migration to urban centres. Sudan has implemented several plans and policies which directly relate to climate change adaptation and development priorities. The focus of these plans and policies is: food security and raising productivity, reducing poverty and enhancing adaptation and resilience to climate change, protecting and developing natural resources, land tenure problems and strengthening governance and institutional capacity. These interventions had limited success in achieving their objectives. The main reasons are: a lack of political stability and fluctuating economic and financial policies as well as weak administrative and implementation capacity of the government institutions. The main lessons learnt are: agricultural-development programmes require increased and more effective public and private partnerships involving the main stakeholders. The low flow of finance to the agricultural sector remains one of the obstacles of agricultural growth. In addition to the poor rural infrastructure, the ongoing conflicts and social unrest in many parts of the country are strongly impacting the performance of the economy and constraining the development plans and policies.

Impact of Traders Competitive Rivalry on Supply and Demand Relations in Livestock Markets in the Drylands of Kenya

Globally, the livestock sector is rapidly growing and contributing 40% of the total value of agricultural output. Livestock keeping is one of the main vibrant economic sectors in many Africa countries. In Kenya, livestock contributes 12% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 42% to Agricultural GDP. 80% of Kenya’s landmass is Arid and Semi-Arid, home of about 16 million people dependent on agro-pastoral livelihoods. Though the largest Kenya region, Turkana County is the poorest, with 70% of the population depending entirely on livestock keeping. While many impediments retard the development of livestock in Kenya’s drylands, using the case of Turkana County, the study objectives focused on the effects of competitive rivalry evident in many markets and its effects on the supply and demand relations, and the impact of theory integration on the supply and demand in markets. 168 primary respondents (Livestock traders) and 24 secondary respondents (Government and Civil Society employees) were sampled to participate in the study. The study results showed that competitive rivalry significantly influences supply and demand relations in livestock markets in the pastoral areas, hindering the adoption of formal business models for market organization, functionality, and better performance. As a result, livestock prices, marketing and market governance systems, coordination of livestock trade in the county, and access to cross-border markets remain negatively affected. Recommendations for application include empowerment of traders, youth, and women through business training, exposure, and introduction of adult literacy programmes to help improve the ability of the local traders to read, write, and use technology to share market information, and do transactions. Access to capital financing, infrastructure development, and organization of marketing performance will reinforce linkages between livestock production zones and various market segments. Strengthening the governance of livestock markets by promoting leadership and management practices, and enforcement of business principles will inculcate in markets ethical competition while rooting out rivalry tendencies. Supply, demand, and theory integration in livestock trade remain critical areas for future research. Despite many limitations to the growth of livestock economy in pastoral areas, the drylands still pose significant opportunities to nurture healthy and productive livestock resources that can compete in internal and external markets while attracting substantial economic returns to empower rural economies, strengthen entrepreneurship, and make pastoral livelihoods more resilient.

Migration drivers, income inequality and rural attachment in deprived remote areas prone to cattle rustling in Nigeria

ABSTRACT While the broader concept of human security emphasizes the need for safety from livelihood security threats, the roles of attachment and violent conflicts on rural migration remain a subject of considerable debate. This study examines the drivers of rural migration within the context of potential relative deprivation. Using data from 1,750 households residing in rural areas of Nigeria, the study reports two key findings. First, the results show that migration is structured by the socio-economic stratification of rural households. Secondly, the results of ordinary least squares reveal that rural attachments, deprivation, cattle rustling and human capital are salient factors determining the patterns of rural migration. It can be argued that cattle rustling, as one of the major security threats affecting pastoral communities, is constraining pastoral households from pursuing their normal livelihoods and thus reducing the raiding of pastoral livelihood assets may help in reducing rural-urban migration in Nigeria.

Linking sustainable livelihoods with sustainable grassland use and conservation: A case study from rural households in a semi-arid grassland area, China

Livelihood is a complex system that includes environmental, economic, social, and institutional dimensions, driving the evolution of the relationship between individuals and geographical environment. Further research on how people value and envision their livelihoods may help to better develop plans and incentives aimed at protecting and restoring ecosystem services. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the current livelihoods status of local households, to identify underlying factors that affect their current and future livelihood strategy, thereby providing policy references for grassland optimization and the sustainable development of pastorists’ livelihoods. In this study, researchers collected data by surveying 427 households from the Hulunbuir grasslands of China. We find that the pastoral livelihood strategies currently are dominated by pastoral husbandry (pure pastoral husbandry or dominant pastoral husbandry) and supplemented by concurrent household occupations (dominant non-pastoral husbandry and non-pastoral husbandry); the households' future livelihood strategy is mainly to expand pastoral husbandry. Our analysis shows again, livelihood asset possession has a significant influence on pastoral families' current and future choices of livelihood strategies. In particular, the ownership of social assets, geographical advantage, and 'production assets', which consist of natural, physical, and financial assets, have significant influences on pastoral households' current livelihood strategy but non-significant impacts on their future livelihood strategy. Human assets and informational assets significantly influence both current and future livelihood strategies of pastoral households. We emphasize that livelihood assets can be the entry point for policies aiming to linking sustainable livelihoods with sustainable grassland use and conservation, particularly at a regional level.

Sustainable livelihood approach for assessing the impacts of slaughterhouses on livelihood strategies among pastoralists in Kenya

The social, physical, financial, natural, and human dimensions within slaughterhouses have taken a central position in diversifying livelihoods among pastoralists in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. There is a need to expound on the literature about these dimensions and assess how they impact on livelihood strategies and outcomes. This research aimed to bring out how these dimensions impact livelihood strategies among Kenyan pastoralists using the sustainable livelihood approach. Qualitative data was collected from four counties in Kenya’s ASALs predominantly inhabited by pastoralists, using focus group discussions, and narratives Observations were analysed using the RQDA package within the R statistical computing environment. The results revealed increasingly diversified social-economic activities, value addition of slaughter by-products, better rangeland management, and diversified diets. Gender, age, and roles significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the extent of diversification. Diversified social-economic activities and value addition directly impacted food security through increased utilization of slaughter by-products, provision of an alternative livelihood source, and better resilience during calamities. To conclude, social, economic, and human activities were central in diversified and advanced pastoral livelihoods.

With Power Comes Responsibility – A Rangelands Perspective on Forest Landscape Restoration

Tree planting has long been promoted to avert climate change and has received renewed impetus in recent years with the Bonn Challenge and related forest restoration initiatives guided by the forest and landscape restoration (FLR) framework. Much of the focus for reforestation and afforestation is on developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America, where large areas of rangelands in drylands and grassy biomes are portrayed as “degraded”, “unused”, and in need of more trees. This perception is rooted in persistent theories on forests and desertification that widely shaped colonial policy and practice and remain influential today’s science-policy frameworks. From a rangelands perspective, the global FLR thrust raises two main concerns. First, inappropriate ecological understandings of the ecology of drylands and grassy biomes encourage afforestation, grazing restriction and fire suppression, with negative impacts on hydrology, carbon storage, biodiversity, livestock production and pastoral livelihoods. Second, their target-driven approach requires large-scale afforestation and massive funding to achieve. Nearly half of the area pledged to the Bonn Challenge is in fact destined for forestry and other commercial plantations, which threaten pastoral livelihoods and cause ecological damage while having very limited potential to mitigate climate change. As the officially endorsed framework of the Bonn Challenge and related global restoration initiatives, FLA has become a powerful instrument for guiding global restoration efforts and funding. Its proponents have a responsibility to ensure that the framework is evidence-based and underpinned by appropriate ecological models for different ecoregions.

Adaptation Measures to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Variability among Pastoralists in Kajiado, Kenya

Climate change and variability has direct and indirect effects on pastoralism through its effect on natural resources including water and pastures that support livestock production in pastoral areas. This study was conducted in Kajiado County where pastoralism is the main source of livelihood. The objective was to identify challenges facing pastoralism and adaptation measures applied by Maasai pastoralists to mitigate impacts of adverse climate events including flooding and drought. A cross-sectional study design was used and primary data collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs) and expert opinion interviews (EOIs). A total of 10 FGDs (114 respondents within 10 wards, out of which 81 were men and 33 women), 25 KIIs (6 opinion leaders, 5 village elders, 6 chiefs, 6 government staff and 2 non-governmental organisation) and 12 EOIs (1 Department of Meteorological Services, 1 National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), 2 Department of Agriculture and 8 Departments of Veterinary Services and Livestock Production) were conducted during the data collection period. The findings showed that drought and flooding were the main climate related challenges that were often experienced by the pastoralists. The adaptation measure which were frequently implemented by pastoralist during flooding was livestock vaccination and mass treatment of sick livestock (Z &gt;1.96) while the most frequently implemented adaptation measures during drought periods included migration with livestock to search for water and pasture (Z=1.51) and livestock vaccination and treatment of sick livestock (Z=1.08). Other climate variability related-challenges included increased incidences of livestock diseases, increased livestock deaths, increased cases of community conflicts, unavailability of veterinary vaccines and medicines, high cost of livestock vaccines and drugs and inadequate number of technical staff within the county. The study has shown that climate variability has significant impact on sources of livelihood for pastoralists who in turn are implementing several adaptation measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and variability. The study recommends formulation and implementation of appropriate plans and policies that are focussed on supporting resilience of the vulnerable pastoral communities and that could further assist in fighting the negative impacts of climate change and variability.

Grazing and climate change have site‐dependent interactive effects on vegetation in Asian montane rangelands

Abstract Climate over Asian montane rangelands is changing faster than the global average, posing serious threats to the future of the region's livestock‐based economies and cultures. Effects of climate change on rangeland vegetation likely depend on grazing by herbivores but the potential responses of vegetation to such changes in climate and grazing regimes remain unclear. We examined vegetation responses to experimentally simulated climate change (warming, drought and increased rainfall) and grazing (clipping vegetation) between 2015 and 2018 at two mountain rangeland sites: Spiti valley, in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya and Tost, in the Gobi‐Altai Mountains in Mongolia. Clipping and climate change manipulations interactively reduced vegetation cover and biomass but did not affect species richness. Treatment effects and their interactions varied between sites. In ungrazed plots, vegetation cover and biomass declined sharply in response to warming (18%–35%) and drought (20%–50%) at the two sites, and, surprisingly also declined slightly in response to increased rainfall (20%) at Tost. While the effects of climate treatments were largely similar in the grazed and ungrazed plots in Tost, they were larger in the ungrazed plots in Spiti. The decline in vegetation cover was driven by a decline in the cover of both forbs and grasses. In combination, grazing and warming (Tost) or drought (Spiti) had sub‐additive effects, that is, the decrease in vegetation cover in response to grazing and warming/drought was less than the sum of their independent effects but greater than the effect of either manipulation alone. Of the two, warming had a greater effect than drought at the more arid site (Tost), whereas drought had a larger effect at the more mesic site (Spiti). Synthesis and applications. Our findings show that future changes in climate, including just over 1°C of warming, could undermine the sustainability of pastoral economies and the persistence of wildlife across Asian montane rangelands. Furthermore, grazing by herbivores will play an important role in mediating rangeland responses to climate change; thus, pasture management in concert with local pastoralists will be crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on rangelands, pastoral livelihoods and wildlife populations.