Rangeland Degradation and Rehabilitation Efforts in the Somali National Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

The arid and semi-arid agro-ecological area of Ethiopia cover more than 62% of the total land area. The Somali National Regional State (SNRS) occupies a large geographical area in the eastern and southeastern part of Ethiopia. The area of SNRS is estimated at 340,000 km2. This makes rangeland utilization by livestock, the largest land-use system in the country. The rangelands in the south of the SNRS are occupied mainly by Somali pastoralists who rear mixed herds of camels, sheep, goats and a few cattle. Rangeland degradation is the most serious challenge for pastoral livelihood in Somali Region. Major reduction in the quantity and nutritional quality of the vegetation available for grazing in the rangelands as well as expansion of localized deserts and barren areas are indicated. Major causes of degradation include climatic conditions, causing drought and arid conditions, and human factors, leading to the overuse of natural resources. Livestock density and grazing patterns lead to overgrazing, which is one of the major causes of land degradation. Overgrazing results when livestock density becomes excessive and too many animals are grazed at the same area of rangeland, leading to degradation of vegetation and the compaction and erosion of the soil. The uncontrolled browsing of trees and shrubs is another aspect of overgrazing and a patent cause of deforestation, leading to flooding and siltation in adjacent areas because rains are no longer held back by the sponge effect of the trees and carry with them large loads of eroded soil. Out of the exotic tree species Prosopis juliflora is currently spreading and encroaching the grazing lands of SNRS and is causing severe negative impacts on the production and productivity of rangelands. This species is spreading at an alarming rate into best grazing areas. Other species, such as Acacia drepanolobium, A.seyal, Lantana camara, Partheniumhysterophorus, and species of Commiphora and Opuntia are also causing serious problems by encroaching in dry and wet season grazing areas. Low and erratic rainfall is characteristic of the rangelands, and pastoral production systems have always relied upon surface and ground water sources. Strategic water development interventions have significant impact in contributing to improving range utilization. In the SNRS Birca (Cistern) and Ella (hand dug wells) are normally owned and managed by individuals. The distribution and type of water points and watering schedules are major determinants of range use. Pastoralists in SNRS have various traditional natural resource management strategies, such as mobility and utilization, herd diversity, ecosystem knowledge, local institution, fodder assessment and defined grazing, indigenous knowledge on species and their utilization. These indigenous knowledges should be kept and integrated with modern rangeland management and rehabilitation coping strategies to sustain the range ecology and the livelihood of the pastoralists.

Herbaceous vegetation changes along a bush encroachment intensity gradient in a montane area

“…A rangeland consists primarily of indigenous vegetation, dominated by graminoids with or without scattered woody plant species (Blench & Sommer, 1999;McGahey et al, 2014;Zerga, 2015). Holechek et al (2020) indicate that rangelands provide many ecosystem services for land users, including habitat for wild animals and support for the livelihood of livestock farmers.…”

“…The Maloti‐Drakensberg area in southern Africa hosts montane vegetation unit types of the endangered Grassland biome (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) that provide palatable rangelands (O'Connor, 2005). A rangeland consists primarily of indigenous vegetation, dominated by graminoids with or without scattered woody plant species (Blench & Sommer, 1999; McGahey et al, 2014; Zerga, 2015). Holechek et al (2020) indicate that rangelands provide many ecosystem services for land users, including habitat for wild animals and support for the livelihood of livestock farmers.…”

Wild life/wild animals in Ethiopia: Types, challenges and conservation

“…As a result, these places play an important role in biodiversity conservation. However, it is a sad fact that these ecologically vital resources are frequently undervalued and are under threat as a result of population increase and rising human demand (Zerga, 2015) [46] . Protected areas are often referred to as "Paper parks" in poor nations like Ethiopia because the pressure from the poor rural population is greater than the ability to safeguard natural resources from exploitation.…”

Ecological Assessment Of Performance Of Tree Species Used In Rehabilitating Degraded Areas Of Turkana County, Kenya

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, dry land forest play a significant role in conservation of biodiversity and harbouring of unique and endemic species that are well adapted to harsh climatic condition while providing essential ecosystem services (FAO, 2010). Africa's drylands constitute about 65% of the total land mass and a major source of forage for ruminants (Zerga et al, 2018). However, most of these dry land areas are caught in spiral of desertification, degradation and drought (DLDD) as well as deforestation and land fragmentation (FAO, 2010).…”

“…Land degradation and deforestation has well been documented as the major threat to human wellbeing and environment due to the resulting loss in biodiversity, soil erosion and significant contribution to greenhouse emission (Jama & Zeila, 2005;Kiptoo & Mirzabaev, 2014;Yirdaw et al, 2017;Zerga et al, 2018). According to Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (2005a), 10-20% of dryland s are already degraded and if uncheck, the desertification and degradation of ecosystem services in drylands will threaten the improvement of human wellbeing in future.…”