The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recognises transhumance pastoralism as a beneficial livestock production system that can contribute to food security together with economic and political stability. Thus, the subregional bloc put ECOWAS Protocol on Transhumance supporting regulations actualise these benefits. These policies seek regulate by ensuring herd movements are along defined migratory corridors among member states. This review assesses importance in Africa, local...

The Leliefontein communal area in Namaqualand is grazed by mixed species herds that have multiple benefits for pastoralists. This study assessed how the management (herding and free-ranging) of different livestock affects their feeding ecology during wet dry seasons a semi-arid shrubland. By using direct observations grazing field, we established habitat preferences, diet selection resources overlap. Results indicate all free-ranging can be considered grazers with cattle being selective....

Global change in its various expressions has impacted the structure and function of ecosystems worldwide, compromising provision fundamental ecosystem services creating a predicament for societies that benefit from them. Restoration ecology plays key role securing ecological integrity societal well‐being, hence represents global priority. However, human perception seldom goes back to beginning significant degradation, making assessment restoration practices difficult. Long‐term data,...

In this paper the use of fenced grazing camps to manage rangeland commons is challenged. A historical perspective presented on fencing and rotational in South Africa. Two case studies KwaZulu-Natal Northern Cape illustrate factors that influence management rangelands under communal land tenure without fences. It argued herding preferred over fencing. The reintroduction could reap multiple benefits such as improving rural livelihoods, reviving customary practice, reducing stock theft,...

Abstract In arid and semi-arid environments, pastoralists use herd mobility to manage resource variability. We investigated temporal patterns of livestock keepers on the spatially confined commons Namaqualand, South Africa, between 1997 2006. conducted semi-structured interviews with about 300 from ten villages in Leliefontein communal area. Herd varies significantly amongst herds different villages. Mobility is complex influenced by environmental, agricultural, social personal factors....

Calobota sericea is a perennial legume species from South Africa that has the potential to be implemented as fodder crop in water-limited agro-ecosystems. Apart dormancy breaking requirements, no information regarding germination and seedling establishment requirements of C. currently available. Therefore, aim this study was determine abilities at different temperatures, water potentials seed burial depths. In first trial seeds were incubated constant temperatures 5–30 °C 5 increments second...

Calobota sericea is being evaluated as a forage for drought stressed areas. The nutritional quality of C. from native populations are poor, and this believed to be due poor soil fertility. Therefore, greenhouse trial was established determine the impact N-fertilization level (0, 25, 50, 75 100 kg/ha) on growth plants. Three-month-old plants were harvested root shoot length, well branching intensity each plant determined. Thereafter, shoots separated into leaves stems all parts oven dried dry...

Communal rangelands in South Africa are generally perceived as overgrazed owing to complexities their histories and collective utilisation which often leads improper management. A suitable solution has not been found land management policies because local people's contexts indigenous knowledge ignored. Hence, this paper is aimed at (i) assessing the role can play communal rangeland management, (ii) exploring working solutions incorporate into effective use policies, (iii) mechanisms for...

Access to good-quality forages is one of the major limitations livestock production in semi-arid pastoral systems. This study aimed determine whether there are differences nutritional quality diets selected by herded and free-ranging goat sheep flocks utilising Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld vegetation during wet dry seasons. Plant samples collected along grazing routes were dried analysed for their fibre, condensed tannin, total phenolic mineral nutrient contents. The showed that a large...

Agriculture is an essential production system used to feed the growing human population, but at same time has become a major driver of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Employing methods that restore degraded landscapes can have positive impact on biodiversity, whilst improving food production. We assessed how mammalian specifically richness their relative abundances varied five Karoo farms in South Africa had been amalgamated subjected transition from traditional livestock...

Climate change has brought about credible changes in arid landscapes which have resulted further challenges for pastoralists who require good quality rangeland resources to sustain their livestock. This study assessed local level coping and adaptive management strategies by Namibia South Africa using a capital assets approach, also explored non-climate related barriers that increase vulnerability climate change. A case approach was used, included focus group discussions semi-structured...

Pastoralists in Namaqualand, South Africa, use herd mobility to manage livestock and rangeland resources. However, their socioeconomic conditions ecological landscapes are changing we explore the options that available for pastoralists respond these changes. This paper presents five possible scenarios managing commons semi-arid Namaqualand outlines some of major advantages disadvantages associated with each scenario. Scenarios response drivers change include (1) maintaining status quo an...

Very few soil seedbank studies have been conducted in South Africa, especially arid rangelands. Insight into the could therefore improve assessment of rangeland dynamics and enhance rehabilitation efforts. This study aimed to characterise seedbanks various vegetation types Tankwa Karoo National Park, an environment Africa. At 43 sites was sampled twice at end spring autumn, composition structure aboveground were described peak growth period spring. Seeds isolated from samples by means...

Drought is a frequent occurrence in the arid and semi-arid Karoo rangelands of South Africa. Rangeland productivity expected to decline with drought thereby reducing livestock consequently livelihoods farmers. This study aimed document effects on farming region Africa strategies used by farmers reduce risks drought. A semi-structured questionnaire was collect data from random sample 35 The analysed using SPSS. Most had over 20 years experience 60% them have tertiary qualification. Profit...

Native forages have been proposed as a plausible alternative to the use of exotic forage germplasm due their adaptation surrounding bioclimatic and edaphic conditions, reduced risk becoming weedy or invasive. Calobota sericea Lessertia frutescens are two perennial legume species from semi-arid rangelands Namaqualand currently under investigation fodder crops for within these agro-ecosystems. These display physical seed dormancy, therefore, we aimed investigate methods break dormancy ensure...

Legislation and policy are key tools used by governments to change the socio-economic political landscape of agrarian systems with consequences for mobile pastoralism. This study social-ecological framework examine how pastoral mobility in semi-arid, montane communal rangeland South Africa adapted changing socio-political landscape. It analysed impact apartheid democratic era legislation policies over past 70 years. Apartheid promoted betterment planning privatisation lands awarding access...

Pastoral areas around the world, including South Africa, are resource poor and external development interventions to improve conditions have largely been unsuccessful. It has advocated that focus should shift from stakeholders local pastoralists by incorporating latter's landscape ethno-ecological knowledge (LEEK) in future management policy planning. Through use of participatory methodologies, this study gazed through lens Namaqualand herders Africa reflect their specific needs what they...