Mobility and livestock mortality in communally used pastoral areas: the impact of the 2005-2006 drought on livestock mortality in Maasailand

Abstract

There is consensus that pastoral mobility is beneficial for both pastoralists and the environment. However, rapid change arising from multiple factors, including landscape fragmentation, sedentarization, and demographic drivers might affect the effectiveness of this pastoral coping strategy in times of drought. We investigate livestock mortality rates following the 2005 drought in four areas in Maasailand: the Maasai Mara, the Kitengela plains, the Amboseli, and the Simanjiro plains. The main aim was to assess the mortality of resident livestock in relation to incoming livestock during the drought. Contrary to our expectations, livestock mortality rates were significantly higher (43%) in Kitengela, which experienced above-average rainfall, compared to the other three areas which had below-average rainfall yet experienced mortality rates between 14% and 30%. Two processes might explain this surprisingly high mortality rate. Firstly, the immigration of large numbers of livestock from drought-stricken areas into the highly fragmented Kitengela area increased stocking density, which worsened the shortage of forage and water. Secondly, the more market-oriented but less drought-resistant livestock breeds in Kitengela form another explanation for the increased mortality. These observations suggest that pastoral mobility may lead to greater sensitivity to drought especially in fragmented areas where more market-oriented but less drought-resistant livestock breeds are introduced. We argue that in such areas, there is a crucial need to adopt practices that simultaneously minimize land fragmentation and enhance pastoral mobility and access to information on improved livestock breeds and markets.

Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among the Turkana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

“…The recent discovery of underground water sources is, however, widely viewed by respondents as the panacea that will end Turkana's chronic water shortage. In general, the observations made by the respondents in this study confirm the findings by Nkedianye et al (2011) that the increasing frequency and intensity of drought events are negatively impacting pastoral livelihoods and ecosystems. …”

“…In the ASALs, for example, frequent droughts are associated with the deterioration of livestock condition, increased incidences of certain diseases and livestock deaths, altered herd structure, and a collapse of livestock markets (Speranza 2010). As a result of frequent droughts, a high level of livestock mortality has become a norm in the study area ( Huho and Mugalavi (2010) and Nkedianye et al (2011) reported a positive correlation between drought severity and the magnitude of livestock losses in northern Kenya. Further discussions with the key informants revealed that increased incidence of livestock disease was also partly associated with drought in Turkana.…”

“…Kenya's arid and semiarid lands (ASALs), which have faced increasing drought frequency and intensity since the 1960 s, are one of the most vulnerable and drought-prone regions in the country (Nkedianye et al 2011). Despite this exposure and sensitivity to frequent droughts, pastoral economy in the ASALs' of Kenya accounts for 90 % of all employment opportunities and 95 % of family income and livelihood security (Kenya ASAL Policy 2012).…”

“…For the Horn of Africa region, drought occurrence has become increasingly severe during the last decade, with rainfall totals of at least 50-75 % below normal encountered in most areas, amounts that are not sufficient to support crop and pasture growth for livelihood security (Nicholson 2014). Studies by Huho and Mugalavai (2010) and Nkedianye et al (2011) indicate that Kenya has experienced an increase in drought frequency from once in every 10 years in the 1960/70s to once in every 5 years in the 1980s; the frequency of drought increased to once in every 2-3 years in the 1990s, and has become increasingly unpredictable since 2000. According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2012), there is likely to be a marked increase in drought risk over much of Eastern Africa by the 2050s, which ultimately will threaten climate sensitive economic sectors.…”

Climate change, risk management and the end ofNomadicpastoralism

“…Bårdsen and Tveraa 2012). Evidence from Africa indicates that while mobility may be beneficial for pastoralists leaving drought affected areas, it is not so beneficial for pastoralists already inhabiting areas used as drought refuges: a higher stocking density (as a result of influx of pastoralists escaping drought stricken areas) led to heightened competition for forage and subsequent starvation for resident livestock (Nkedianye et al 2011).…”