Grassland resource
assessment for
pastoral systems

FAO
PLANT
PRODUCTION
AND PROTECTION
PAPER

162

by
Peter S. Harris
FAO Consultant

Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
Rome, 2000

Contents

Acknowledgements

List of abbreviations

Executive summary

1.��INTRODUCTION

1.1��Overview

1.2��Purpose

2.��GRAZING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

2.1��Grassland condition

2.2��Grassland dynamics

2.2.1��Responses to changes in grazing pressure

2.2.2��Management strategies to cope with grassland dynamics

2.2.3 Land ownership and tenure

2.3��Implications for sustainable development

3.��DATA REQUIREMENTS

3.1��Data scope and sources

3.2��Socio-economic conditions, government policy, services and infrastructure

3.3��General description of area

3.3.1��Location and land form

3.3.2��Climate

3.3.3��Edaphic conditions

3.4��Identification and classification of land units and forage resource groups

3.4.1��General

3.4.2 Grassland vegetation classes and forage types

3.4.3��Grassland use by livestock

3.5��Land evaluation

3.6��Forage resource production data

3.6.1 Forage supply

3.6.2��Grassland condition and dynamics

3.7��Livestock statistics

3.8��Other uses of grazing lands

3.9�Data quality issues

3.10��Tools for information recording and data analysis

4.��GRAZING RESOURCE USE AND DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT

4.1��Impact of current use on pastoral resources and the environment

4.1.1 Objectives

4.1.2��Forage resource characteristics

4.1.3 Livestock carrying capacities and forage-livestock relationships

4.2��ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

4.2.1 Objectives

4.2.2��Development options

4.2.3��Identification and selection of development options

4.2.4��Forecasting impact of development on forage production

4.3��DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

4.3.1�Prerequisites

4.3.2��Design considerations

4.3.3��Risks and environmental impacts

4.3.4��Monitoring

5.��MODELLING GRASSLAND AND LIVESTOCK RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

6.��CASE STUDIES

6.1��CHINA - GANSU INTEGRATED DESERT CONTROL AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT

6.1.1 Introduction

6.1.2��Methodology

6.1.3��Results

6.1.4��Comment

6.2��SUDAN - FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

6.2.1 Introduction and background

6.2.2��Pastoralism and the forage resources of forested areas

6.2.3��Assessment of opportunities for pastoral resource improvement and sustainable livestock production

6.2.4��Proposed project components

6.3��ETHIOPIA - ASSISTANCE TO LAND USE PLANNING

6.3.1��Introduction

6.3.2��Methodology

6.3.3��Menagesha

6.3.4��Haikoch and Butajira

6.3.5��Development of the forage resource and improvement of livestock production

6.4��BHUTAN - GRASSLAND SURVEY AND INTEGRATED PASTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE HIGH MOUNTAIN REGION (TCP/BHU/4505)

6.4.1��Introduction

6.4.2��Methodology

6.4.3��Characteristics of the pastoral resources of Soi Yaksa

6.4.4��Resource constraints and development opportunities

7.��TOWARD MORE THOROUGH AND INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

7.2��Evolution of RAPS through the case studies

Bibliography of references cited and related reading

Appendix 1 - Glossary

Appendix 2 - Case study data

Appendix 3 - Examples of field sheets

Appendix 4 - Livestock nutrition standards

This publication deals with the study of extensive grazing lands, forage production systems and the assessment of grassland condition and productivity. This is a complex subject, but a very necessary one for the correct management of grazing lands and the design and execution of projects to improve sustainable extensive livestock production and enhance the living standards of traditional herders. Modelling is emphasized as a powerful tool for dealing with the complexities of the pastoral system. A computer-based model is described which has been designed specifically for use in pastoral development programmes. It can aid managerial, policy and development decisions, primarily by analysing land and forage resources for their productivity and livestock primarily by analysing land and forage resources for their productivity and livestock support capacity, taking system complexity into account.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The designations "developed" and "developing" economies are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country, country territory or area in the development process. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

ISBN92-5-104537-2

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, Information Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.

� FAO 2000