Seasonal Movement Of Livestock Research Articles

Transhumance, commons, and new opportunities: A European perspective

Transhumance is a form of livestock management including seasonal movement of livestock and people. Based on literature studies, interviews, field conversations and visits, this article aims to show the different ways in which transhumance practitioners currently manage land – which to a large degree is different types of commons – and to discuss opportunities for sustainable future land management. Transhumance has been declining especially since the mid-20th century. While new opportunities for transhumance practitioners have occurred, such as landscape management for biodiversity purposes and urban transhumance, efforts to support transhumance need to be reinforced. Commons play an important role in providing access to land in rural and – to a limited degree – in urban areas.

Ландшафты Средневековья: Фернан Бродель о проблеме кочевничества в средневековом мире Средиземноморья

The scientific heritage of Fernand Braudel, the outstanding French scientist and the recognized leader of the second generation of the historical school “Annales”, continues to be of great historiographical interest. However, not all aspects of his research have been adequately evaluated. The authors of this study examine the conceptual approaches of F. Braudel to the history of interaction between man and nature in the Mediterranean and adjacent regions through the problem of nomadism. The method of considering this issue corresponds to the basic principles of historiographic research: Identifying the author’s substantive position by analyzing his works, characterizing the source base and methods of criticizing the sources used. Braudel’s nomadism is not only a phenomenon of the steppes of Central Asia, the pastures of the Iranian Highlands, the sands of the Sahara, but an organic part of the life of the developing societies of the Iberian Peninsula, Provence, Apennines, Balkans, Asia Minor. F. Braudel was faced with the task of covering in its entirety the numerous problems associated with driving livestock to grazing and with the nomadic way of life, that is, with the regular movement of human masses and herds of livestock. Braudel revives the model of the nomadic life of the Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa. Here, in his opinion, different types of society, different types of economic management, different civilizations and ways of life collide. Braudel agrees with the identification of several types of seasonal movement of livestock. According to F. Braudel, seasonal movements of livestock are associated with a variety of factors: physical, social, historical. Nomadism, Braudel believes, has a more ancient origin than distant-pasture animal husbandry. Nomadic herders were gradually and consistently driven out of the inner plains and lowlands and were driven back to the mountainous outskirts and peripheral plains. An overabundance of empty spaces dooms, from the perspective of F. Braudel, society and economy to perpetual motion. He considered the pendulum movement of the steppe nomads to the sea, and then back from the sea to the desert to be one of the essential factors in the history of the Mediterranean. Nomadism, with its harsh closed “culture” speaks, according to F. Braudel, of obvious determinism.

Perception of transhumant herders on climate change and their adaptation strategies

Climate change is becoming one of the greatest challenges of our times questioning the survival of humanity and the coexistence of biodiversity. Its impact is realized globally in aspects of climate-induced disasters, water stresses, rangeland, agricultural, and food production. This case study confers the extent and impact of climate change on transhumant herders along with their coping strategies in Lho and Sirdibas of Chumnurbi Rural Municipality, Gorkha. Focus group discussion, key informant interview, and questionnaire survey were carried out in two wards covering herder's perception towards various climatic variability, impacts on transhumance system, and adaptation strategies undertaken for resilience. Data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics and GIS such as percentage, frequency, weighted mean, index of relative ranking, Chi-square test, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI), etc. were presented in figures and charts. This study showed that temperature is rising and precipitation is falling in the rural mountainous areas along with a decrease in snow cover and an increase in vegetation cover over a period of time. Seasonal movement of livestock is mainly guided by the search of forage resources and for adjusting the temperature. The impacts such as the decrease in pasture resources, increase in drought, decrease in agricultural production, etc. were perceived by the herders. Adaptation strategies such as the seasonal movement of livestock, diversification of income sources, and grazing resources were most noticed. Most of them were autonomous based on indigenous knowledge and innovation. The study recommends that the perceived changes and possible impacts of climate change to the transhumance systems need to be monitored scientifically over time. Further, more programs and policies should be developed for the resilience of the community.

Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Measures on Transhumance Herding System in Gatlang, Rasuwa

Climate change impact is global and Nepal is no exception, posing vulnerability for different communities and regions. Transhumance herding is the culture and identity of indigenous settlement in Himalayan region where herders follow vertical transhumance herding as a part of subsistence mixed agriculture system for their livelihood. It differs from nomadism in terms of its periodicity, regularity, and mobility. This study confers the impacts of climate change and adaptation on transhumance herders in Gatlang of Rasuwa District. Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview, and Questionnaire survey were carried out covering herder’s perception toward climatic variability, changes in the biophysical indicator, its impact and adaptation strategies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, weighted mean, and Index of Usefulness of Practice for Adaptation (IUPA) tools. This study showed increase in mean average temperature (0.0202°C), increase in monsoon precipitation (2.1 mm) and decrease in winter precipitation (0.5 mm). Seasonal movement of livestock was mainly guided for adjusting temperature. The observed changes in biophysical indicator were diverse with shrinking grazing lands as most agreed statements followed by low crop productivity and faster melting of snow in rangeland. Herders perceived different adaptation strategies where reserving some grazing areas scored highest IUPA ranking followed by seasonal movement, storage of grass/hay, and so on. Though transhumance itself is one of the adaptation strategy against climate change people were not aware about changing monsoon precipitation and following same seasonal calendar as before which have affected livestock. These observations suggested that herders were unaware of the underlying cause and its impacts on the system which needed to be monitored scientifically.

Paisagem Cultural de Transumância: A Rota da Serra da Estrela para as Campinas de Idanha

: The transhumance cultural landscape reflects a deep knowledge of the territory. Based on pastoral activity, involves spatial, periodic and seasonal movements of livestock between mountain pastures, valleys and lowlands, to provide food. We highlight an important Portuguese route: Serra da Estrela – Idanha-a-Nova, where wool production was the main activity’s driving force. The acti‑ vity reached its peak in the Middle Ages and survived until the 1950s in Beira Interior region. Aware that change is an inherent dynamic in landscape, we cannot, however, disregard that over generations, the use of endogenous natural resources, shows an understanding of the ecosystem, contributing to the region’s cultural and landscape identity heritage.

English

Land degradation has become a global concern that requires countries to take prompt actions. The objective of the study was to assess land management in respect to activities of livestock keeping in the Ruvu and Zigi river basins in Eastern Tanzania. The two basins attract a huge number of livestock from nearby and relatively distant areas in pursuit of pasture and water resources. The results indicated that modes of livestock keeping differs with more free grazing in the lowland and zero grazing in the mountainous areas. Overall, the free grazing in the lowland is dominated by seasonal movement of livestock in and out of the basins in various times of the year. Of the two basins, Ruvu is highly affected by haphazard livestock keeping compared to Zigi. Challenges associated with excessive number of livestock include forest degradation, increased incidences of wildfire, soil degradation, poor maintenance of water resources and ensued conflicts with crop farmers. The number of livestock involved in both basins is under reported due to the non-cooperation received from the pastoralists during livestock census. Pastoralists in the two basins often times defies the government decrees prohibiting movement of livestock from district to another. Limited conflicts have been reported among pastoralists from different tribes while the situation is critical with crop farmers. This study observed that monitoring of livestock movement in the two basins is crucial. The study recommends assessment of the carrying capacities of the basins and subsequent development of the basin-wide rangeland management plans.   Key words: Rangeland management, livestock management, land degradation, water catchment.

Seasonal interactions of pastoralists and wildlife in relation to pasture in an African savanna ecosystem

Wildlife and livestock have coexisted across East African rangelands for millennia, tracking seasonal forage availability across large landscapes. More recently however, free-ranging movements have been increasingly restricted by land use changes, reducing the ability of livestock and wildlife to access necessary grazing resources, leading to both homogenization and degradation of the rangeland. This in turn has led to losses in productivity of both livestock and wildlife. This study describes wildlife and livestock interactions in response to pasture in one of the few remaining areas of mixed wildlife-livestock use with unrestricted movements. We ask if pastoral management systems can create and maintain spatial and temporal heterogeneity of pasture, through the seasonal movement of livestock. Furthermore, does this heterogeneity create a diverse, productive and resilient assemblage of both domestic and wild ungulates? Our results provide evidence to support the notion that traditional pastoral systems which continue to manage for heterogeneity of pasture can still support not only livestock but also substantial numbers of wildlife. The results highlight the need for wildlife and livestock to retain both mobility and access to both wet and dry season areas to maintain ecosystem resilience and promote coexistence in mixed livestock-wildlife landscapes.

Analysis of seasonal mobility of sheep in Iron Age Catalonia (north-eastern Spain) based on strontium and oxygen isotope analysis from tooth enamel: First results

This pilot study investigates the existence of seasonal movements of sheep – transhumance – in Iron Age Catalonia (North-Eastern Spain). The occurrence of seasonal movement of livestock between the coast and the interior, perhaps in relation to the Mediterranean market, was suggested for this area based on landscape and palynological studies. This hypothesis was tested on the basis of strontium, carbon and oxygen isotope analysis from seven sheep lower third molars. The evidence obtained suggests that the animals did not move across geological areas during the time of enamel mineralization. In addition, the paper provides valuable isotopic evidence that can be used in further studies.

Drove roads: Keystone structures that promote ant diversity in Mediterranean forest landscapes

Drove roads are the traditional corridors used by pastoralists for seasonal movements of livestock (transhumance). They cover a considerable land area in Mediterranean countries and, although they are an obvious source of landscape diversity, their influence on the diversity and composition of animal assemblages has not been documented. Ant communities were studied on four active drove roads, two in forests (submediterranean and conifer) and two in open environments (croplands and rangelands). They were compared with the respective matrix communities and their contribution to local species richness was evaluated. The effects were heavily dependent on the open or closed nature of the matrix. In forest environments, drove roads increased ant species richness at the local scale, acting as clear keystone structures. Their species richness and functional diversity were highest on the fine scale, species composition was different, and a slight edge effect in the matrix was detected. In contrast, drove roads had little or even a negative effect in open environment locations. We conclude that drove roads have a high conservation value for ants in Mediterranean forest environments, in addition to their importance as reservoirs of plant biodiversity and generators of ecological goods and services.

Impact of Land Subdivision and Sedentarization on Wildlife in Kenya’s Southern Rangelands

Subdivision and sedentarization of pastoral communities is accelerating rapidly across the African rangelands, posing a severe threat to wildlife populations, but few studies have looked quantitatively at the ecological impact of sedentarization. Here we look at the impact of sedentarization on wildlife by comparing ecologically matched subdivided and unsubdivided Maasai pastoral lands (ranches) in semiarid southern Kenya. We found no significant difference in livestock densities on the two ranches but there was a significantly higher wildlife density on the unsubdivided ranch, in both dry and wet seasons. Nonetheless, the unsubdivided ranch still had a higher percentage of grass biomass and ground cover and lower grazing pressure than the subdivided ranch. Distribution of homesteads (bomas) was mostly random on the subdivided ranch, with little area unaffected by human settlement. On the contrary, the unsubdivided ranch had a highly clumped boma distribution pattern, resulting in much of the land being relatively far from permanent human settlement. We show that the regular distribution and permanence of settlements following subdivision and sedentarization greatly reduces wildlife populations both through direct displacement and a reduction of forage. Relative to mobile pastoralism on open rangelands, sedentarization leads to reduced seasonal movements of livestock, lowered grass biomass, and slower grass recovery after very dry periods. This study points to the need to maintain mobile, large-scale herd movements to avoid the heavy impact on grasslands associated with sedentarization of pastoral settlement and herds.

Indigenous Yak and Yak‐Cattle Crossbreed Management in High Altitude Areas of Northern Nepal: A Case Study from Rasuwa District

This paper summarizes and documents the indigenous yak and chauri managements in high altitude mountainous areas of Nepal through on-the-spot surveys on the farmers from three villages of case study site, Rasuwa district, 35 households were surveyed with open-ended and pre-tested questionnaires, 20 key persons were interviewed with face-to-face conversation and 47 participants were involved in participatory rural assessment (PRA), transhumance characterized by the seasonal movements of livestock between different ecological belts is key grazing pattern in the case sites. Rotational grazing of the pasturelands according to feed availability is the example of deployment of indigenous knowledge adapted by local farmers. Cross breeding of yak with cattle (Tibetan cattle bull or Zebu cattle cow) is popular in traditional herd farming system. The breeding patterns in local yak farming systems reflect the seasonal availability and climatic variation, matching very well to transhumant grazing strategies. Supplementing the herd with a small amount of concentrates in harsh lean period is the traditional feeding management. F1 hybrid calf is carefully reared and F2 hybrid calf is killed by carelessly rearing is an indigenous practice to improve the herd productivity. Careful grazing management and herbal remedies for various diseases, pests and plant poisoning are good examples of indigenous knowledge in animal health care, although the interview and survey results indicate that most farmers believe their indigenous livestock managements are moderately efficient, there are still some problems and limitations for optimizing their yak and chauri management systems. More public supports are expected by local farmers to improve yak and chauri production systems, the potential indigenous industries in remote mountainous areas. It can be recommended and suggested from this case study that making better use of the vast indigenous knowledge that the local farmers possess is necessary when making improved management plans for yak and chauri farming system. Participatory research, policy-making and extension network should be developed to encourage the farmers to work together with professionals for better integrating the indigenous skills with advanced technologies. Indigenous institution development and farmers’ capacity building are imperative for better planning and successful implementation of livestock management program. Key words: Indigenous knowledge, yak and hybrids, management system.

Modelling the distributions of Culicoides bluetongue virus vectors in Sicily in relation to satellite-derived climate variables.

Surveillance data from 268 sites in Sicily are used to develop climatic models for prediction of the distribution of the main European bluetongue virus (BTV) vector Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and of potential novel vectors, Culicoides pulicaris Linnaeus, Culicoides obsoletus group Meigen and Culicoides newsteadi Austen. The models containing the 'best' climatic predictors of distribution for each species, were selected from combinations of 40 temporally Fourier-processed remotely sensed variables and altitude at a 1 km spatial resolution using discriminant analysis. Kappa values of around 0.6 for all species models indicated substantial levels of agreement between model predictions and observed data. Whilst the distributions of C. obsoletus group and C. newsteadi were predicted by temperature variables, those of C. pulicaris and C. imicola were determined mainly by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a variable correlated with soil moisture and vegetation biomass and productivity. These models were used to predict species presence in unsampled pixels across Italy and for C. imicola across Europe and North Africa. The predicted continuous presence of C. pulicaris along the appenine mountains, from north to south Italy, suggests BTV transmission may be possible in a large proportion of this region and that seasonal transhumance (seasonal movement of livestock between upland and lowland pastures) even in C. imicola-free areas should not generally be considered safe. The predicted distribution of C. imicola distribution shows substantial agreement with observed surveillance data from Greece and Iberia (including the Balearics) and parts of mainland Italy (Lazio, Tuscany and areas of the Ionian coast) but is generally much more restricted than the observed distribution (in Sardinia, Corsica and Morocco). The low number of presence sites for C. imicola in Sicily meant that only a restricted range of potential C. imicola habitats were included in the training set and that predictions could only be made within this range. Future modelling exercises will use abundance data collected according to a standardized protocol across the Mediterranean and, for Sicily in particular, should include non-climatic environmental variables that may influence breeding site suitability such as soil type.

Unheard-of Numbers and Invitations on the Web

This referred to the mechanical transmission of pathogenic trypanosomes in sub-Saharan Africa, discussed here at length and quite vigorously for several weeks at the beginning of the year when Burkhard Bauer (Vector Control Unit, Burkina Faso) argued that ‘the presence of trypanosomosis in these areas is ESSENTIALLY related to the presence of tsetse’. However, Gerrit Uilenberg, from Corsica, clear that mechanical transmission of Trypanosoma vivax and T. evansi outside Africa is no myth, preferred MAINLY to ‘ESSENTIALLY’. But Steve Mihok agreed with Bauer, who believes that field and lab results differ, and understood why the subject was often viewed as ‘the ‘cold fusion’ of trypanosomosis epidemiology in Africa. The disease may exist where (1) densities of tsetse are low, or (2) tsetse are ‘nearby’ – ‘eg. tens or hundreds of kilometres away’ or (3) undetectable, ‘probably associated with rainy seasons and the emergence of large numbers of biting flies’. Movements of animals already infected, or of tsetse, may explain some observations –‘courtroom’ evidence is needed. While situation (3) applies outside Africa, he wondered about the Sudan where ‘many Sudanese scientists/veterinarians accept mechanical transmission as a normal fact of life’. Ian Maudlin (University of Glasgow, UK) said, like cold fusion, the onus is on the proponents of mechanical transmission to demonstrate it. It should be established that tsetse have been properly monitored and whether or not infected animals are immigrants; ‘where tsetse have been successfully eradicated in Africa we no longer find trypanosomiasis – not even T. vivax … certainly the case in N. Nigeria where an abundance of biting flies remained after tsetse were eradicated’. Burkhard Bauer gave another example: ‘in the pastoral zone of Sideradougou, Burkina Faso … 18 months after termination of releases of sterile males … incidence of trypanosomosis was negligible in spite of numerous … biting flies. Two important outbreaks of T. vivax … one was due to transhumance [seasonal movement of livestock to regions of different climate] … in adjacent tsetse-infested areas, the other … from a peripheral reinvasion of Glossina tachinoides’. Similarly, Brian Hursey (FAO, Rome, Italy) said that eradication of tsetse from Ugunja Island, Zanzibar ‘eliminated tryps whilst the adjoining island of Pemba where no tsetse have ever been recorded is also free of trypanosomiasis despite the presence of biting flies’. Other places where eradication of tsetse resulted in elimination of the disease are Zimbabwe, Uganda (South west), Kenya (Western region), Zanzibar, Nigeria, Principe and Somalia.

アンデスとヒマラヤの牧畜 高地適応型牧畜の家畜移動とその類型化の試み

People both in the Andes and the Himalayas make their living by adapting themselves to the highland and making the most of the various ecological environments. They have some common cultural elements such as herding domestic animals adapted for low temperatures, but there is a great difference in the style of adaptation in animal husbandry. Also, even within each area there are considerable variations. The purpose of this article is to present the models of agro-pastoral relations and the seasonal movement of livestock, comparing two cases in the south Peruvian Andes and three in the east Nepal Himalayas, where agriculture and animal husbandry are the basic subsistences. ... In conclusion, both in the Andes and the Himalayas, both exclusive pastoralism and agro-pastoralism are found, but their ways of movement of livestock are different. The Andean exclusive pastoralism is sedentary, and the Himalayan version practices transhumance. Also, in the Andean agro-pastoralism, the seasonal movement of people is required by the necessity of agriculture. On the other hand, in Khumbu of the Himalayas, transhumance is agro-pastoral, and in Solu, transhumance is required purely by the necessity of animal husbandry. So, we can find all the possible types of seasonal movement of animal husbandry by comparing the Andes and the Himalayas.

The impact of the Jonglei Canal on the economy of the local people

SUMMARY The idea of saving the water lost in the ‘Sudd’ swamp through evaporation was conceived by Egypt and Sudan for their own interests, but not for those of the Nilotic peoples living in the flood plain. Concern for the local development was only taken into consideration after the 1974 Juba riots, when three people were killed and 200 arrested. The canal has caused displacement of people from their settlements and is blocking the seasonal movement of livestock and wildlife. Conflict may arise over the use of land for grazing or irrigation. The Nilotics are concerned about the possible negative environmental impact, and the loss of their cultural identity. They maintain that Egypt should pay them monetary compensation for the disruption that the canal has caused to their livelihood. This paper assesses the impact that the Jonglei canal project will have on the economy of the Nilotics; traces the historical development of the project; outlines the social, political and economic organization of the Nilot...

The Rural-Urban Interface in Africa: Expansion and Adaptation

The Rural-Urban Interface in Africa: Expansion and Adaptation

Dry season weight losses in Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats reared in the Sahel region of Northeastern Nigeria

Weight losses in body, carcass, skin and liver were determined during the advanced periods of the West African Sahel dry seasons-December to May, when the greatest offtake of livestock for slaughter occurs. Data used were from 131 Red Sokoto goats slaughtered in the Maiduguri abbatoir from 1981 to 1982. Month of slaughter greatly influenced all traits. Weights declined as the dry season advanced with its characteristic rise in ambient temperatures. Weight losses were about 18%, 22%, 45% and 57% from December to May for body, carcass, skin and liver respectively. Percentage slaughter weights were closer to the lower uneconomical limit (45%) than to the upper (65%). As percentages of body weight, declines were from 7.07% to 4.89% and 5.55% to 2.79% for skin and liver weights respectively. Results obtained especially from the allometric regressions of liver and body weights do not quite uphold a prevailing opinion that animals slaughtered during these periods are largely immature. Correlations declined till April, being lowest (P>0.05) in March. Regression coefficients were lower and intercepts higher from January to March. Weight declines must have been largely due to starvation and dehydration. Direct and indirect effects of high ambient temperatures on growth of animals are discussed. Conditions for animal-production could be improved by settling the pastoralists and by avoiding the present necessary seasonal movement of livestock through the provision of forages and water all year round. It would also help if means of meat preservation could be devised and so enable offtake for slaughter to shift to the rainy seasons of the year.