Pastoralists’ perceptions of feed scarcity and livestock poisoning in southern rangelands, Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey was conducted between April and July 2007 to generate information on dry season feeding management and livestock poisoning in the southern rangelands of Ethiopia. A total of 119 pastoralists were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Moreover, additional information was obtained through informal discussions. The study revealed that pastoralists have rich knowledge of natural resource management and utilization and employ various strategies such as migration, collection of grasses and pods, and cutting branches to overcome feed scarcity during dry/drought periods. Migration of livestock and people to areas with better grazing is the widely used strategy. However, the implementation of this strategy is diminishing as a result of changes such as bush encroachment, expansion of settlements, and crop cultivation in dry-season grazing lands. The respondents also indicated the presence of poisonous plants in the rangeland, and about 20 such plants were identified by the respondents. Various species and classes of livestock are reported to be affected by toxic plants particularly in the dry and early rainy seasons when feed is in short supply. A more extensive survey is required to document all poisonous plants in the rangelands and to identify the major toxic principles in the different species. Future development interventions should consider the prevailing constraints and potentials of the rangelands with active participation of the pastoralists.

Are trees of intermediate density more facilitative? Canopy effects of four East African legume trees

“…Finally, our assumptions are supported by observations that species encroachment status varies regionally (Angassa & Oba ; Abebe et al. ), presumably depending on site climatic and edaphic aridity.…”

“…supported by field observations that rain-fed olive trees usually show larger root-canopy ratios than irrigated trees (Fern andez 2014). Finally, our assumptions are supported by observations that species encroachment status varies regionally (Angassa & Oba 2008;Abebe et al 2012), presumably depending on site climatic and edaphic aridity. Table 2.…”

“…In contrast, V. tortilis is not known to encroach in our study area, although it has been recorded as an encroacher in some other parts of Africa, such as dry savannas situated in central South Africa (Ward et al 2014). Pastoralists of the Borana region of Ethiopia also perceive bush encroachment as undesirable, and have a profound local ecological knowledge (LEK) on tree species' encroachment status (Angassa & Oba 2008;Abebe et al 2012). A comparison of findings shows that the encroachment status may vary considerably among regions.…”

“…Pastoralists of the Borana region of Ethiopia also perceive bush encroachment as undesirable, and have a profound local ecological knowledge (LEK) on tree Species' encroachment status (Angassa & Oba ; Abebe et al. ). A comparison of findings shows that the encroachment status may vary considerably among regions.…”

Perception and attitude of pastoralists on the use and conservation of rangeland resources in Afar Region, Ethiopia

“…Tafere and Teklu (2013) have shown the consequence of inappropriate interventions on the future of pastoralism by using pastoralists' expression as follows: "once you lose your original trail of tradition, the enemy takes advantage of your resources". Similarly, others (Feye 2007;Abebe et al 2011) have shown that the traditional system of resource management (i.e., mobility) is an adaptive and coping strategy developed by pastoral societies to overcome the problem of feed scarcity and limited access to water in arid environments. For example, Abebe et al (2012) have indicated that herd diversification by Borana pastoralists were derived by shifts in vegetation from grassland to woodland.…”