TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

pdf.usaid.gov
from pdf.usaid.gov More from this publisher
17.01.2014 Views

can be restored to the world's rangelands. The areas are vast, and measures that could improve them are characteristically costly in terms of labor or capital. Rehabilitation efforts are further affected by social and political considerations. This report takes a broad perspective. It focuses on the principles of range management by describing various indigenous adaptations to specific Old World ecosystems, and by discussing how experience elsewhere can complement indigenous knowledge. It also outlines techniques for assessing the condition of rangeland vegetation. Although the report to some extent draws upon North American experience, its authors fully acknowledge the limitations of this experience in addressing degradation problems in the tropics and subtropics. Nevertheless, this experience can usefully illustrate the application of basic principles, which the panel hopes will stimulate local research. What is needed is a basic appreciation of indigenous adaptations, a knowledge of local socioeconomic and environmental change over time, and innovation solidly based on an understanding of ecological principles. Rangelands that are "common property" are particularly difficult to manage because of the frequent breakdown of organizations and institutions responsible for their welfare. Successfully managed rangelands characteristically benefit from some form of local control. Therefore, case studies that describe successful approaches are also provided. This report complements More Water lor Arid Lands, published by the National Academy of Sciences in 1974, which describes littleknown, but promising, small-scale technologies for the use and conservation of scarce water supplies in arid areas. The ImprotJement 0/ Tropical and Subtropical Rangelands is the third report to appear in the series Resource Management for Arid and Semiarid Regions. Other titles include Enwronmental Change in the West A/rican Sahel and Agr%restr,l in the West A/rican Sahel. vi

Contents Overview: Dimensions of a Worldwide Environmental Crisis 1 Part I Introduction 13 1 The Nature of Tropical and Subtropical Rangelands 31 2 The Social Context for Rangeland Improvement 38 3 The Economic Context 54 " Regional Resource Assessment 73 5 Site Evaluation 96 6 Grazing Management 116 7 Rehabilitation Techniques 139 8 Criteria For Plant Selection 186 PartD Introduction 213 1 Pastoral Regimes of Mauritania Dougla, L. Jolauon 216 2 The Beni Mguild of Morocco Dougla, L. Jolauon 227 3 The Kel Tamasheq of Mali Susan E. Gunn 237 vii

Contents<br />

Overview: Dimensions of a Worldwide Environmental Crisis 1<br />

Part I<br />

Introduction 13<br />

1 The Nature of Tropical <strong>and</strong> <strong>Subtropical</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s 31<br />

2 The Social Context for Rangel<strong>and</strong> Improvement 38<br />

3 The Economic Context 54<br />

" Regional Resource Assessment 73<br />

5 Site Evaluation 96<br />

6 Grazing Management 116<br />

7 Rehabilitation Techniques 139<br />

8 Criteria For Plant Selection 186<br />

PartD<br />

Introduction 213<br />

1 Pastoral Regimes of Mauritania<br />

Dougla, L. Jolauon 216<br />

2 The Beni Mguild of Morocco<br />

Dougla, L. Jolauon 227<br />

3 The Kel Tamasheq of Mali<br />

Susan E. Gunn 237<br />

vii

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!