Drivers of forage availability: An integration of remote sensing and traditional ecological knowledge in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda

Abstract

Low-input pastoral production systems provide up to 90 % of livestock and livestock products consumed in Uganda. However, pastoral communities are increasingly faced with the challenge of meeting their livestock needs in terms of forage, a situation exacerbated by climatic variability. The study identified the patterns of forage availability and quality, compared perceived patterns of forage availability with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and determined drivers of forage availability in Karamoja sub-region. Over a 12-month period, 75.3 % of the respondents perceived forage to be sufficiently available with differentiated availability in the livelihood zones and between livestock species (goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys and camels). A similar pattern was observed with regard to perceived forage quality. A significant relationship between perceived forage availability and long-term mean monthly NDVI dynamics was observed. A lag time of 2.9 months existed between rainfall and vegetation response peak periods. Mean monthly rainfall pattern was found to be correlated with perceived forage availability. The length of residence by a livestock keeper, frequency of grazing, number of kraals, presence of governing rules, and presence of conflicts and knowledge of pasture locations, restricted movement and ease of access to grazing areas significantly (P ≤ 0.05) were the major perceived drivers of forage availability. Therefore, we find that pastoral communities in Karamoja have detailed traditional ecological knowledge of forage status and their perceived determinants. There is a need to conduct nutritional analysis of key forage species available in the different livelihood zones. Finally, there is a need to constantly monitor socio-political conditions that have potential of creating 'artificial' forage shortage in the sub-region.

The Relationship between Cultural Norms and Food Security in the Karamoja Sub-Region of Uganda

“…The sub-region is comprised of the seven administrative districts of Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Napak, Kotido, Abim and Kaabong. (Figure 1) [23]. The current study focuses on three major ethnic groups of Jie, Karamojong and Tepeth.…”

“…Kotido was selected because of the representation there of the ethnic groups Jie, Dodoth, and Labwor, while Moroto was selected because of the predominance of the Karimojong (sub-divided into the Matheniko, Pian and Bokora) and the Pokot and Tepeth ethnic groups. The selection of the two districts was also based on their locations and environmental conditions: Moroto is found in south Karamoja and is climatically relatively dry, while Kotido district, in the north, is climatically generally wetter than the south [23,24].…”

Weather Forecasts for Pastoralism in a Changing Climate: Navigating the Data Space in North Eastern Uganda

“…This is due to the geographic scale at which traditional forecasts are produced. The four seasons which breakdown the two major seasons by UNMA are more detailed and meaningful to the pastoralists because they enable planning for temporal migration but also grazing patterns and access to water and pasture resources (Egeru et al, 2015). The use of information based on four seasons also emphasizes the importance of temporal migration, which is not only a tradition but also as adaptation measure for the pastoralists (Wiese et al, 2003).…”

“…Once again these detailed accounts on season to determine the quality of pastures illustrates the importance of improving integrating the data for improved information access by pastoralists. Thus the need for a system for acquisition, integrating and disseminating the information is critical (Egeru, 2016, Egeru et al, 2015. For future climate shocks and change, the dominant top-down approach in dissemination of seasonal weather forecasts would have to be adapted to the four traditional seasons, pastoralists-led systems of dissemination and targeting the right actors for the weather information.…”

“…This information is also shared with other agencies including security organizations to ensure safety of the animals and people. Elders also sanction or gazette certain areas to be grazed in certain periods of the year depending on the rain performance as forecasted to ensure quality and availability of pasture (Egeru et al, 2015. The forecasted information may or not be collated with the seasonal forecasts from UNMA or IGAD.…”