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ArticleImplications of livestock grazing on sustainable management of montane forests: a case of south west Mau forest, Kenya
XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
2022Also available in:
No results found.Overgrazing is an emerging concern in Kenya’s indigenous forests. It affects regeneration, species structure and composition and soil. However, information on permissible grazing threshold and effects of overgrazing on forest ecosystem has not been adequately established in Kenya. This study was undertaken in South West Mau; the largest block forming Kenya’s biggest water tower, Mau Complex. Grazing is the main driver of degradation in the forest. The objectives of the study were to determine; dependence of forest adjacent communities on forest for grazing, effects of grazing on forest structure and composition, permissible forage off-take levels and ecologically sustainable carrying capacity. Data and information was collected through household surveys, Focus Group Discussions, vegetation assessment under varied grazing intensities (heavy, moderate and light), estimation of primary forage productivity, livestock census and computation of carrying capacity. The study found that 96% of the households grazed their livestock in the forest throughout the year. Although the forest generally showed natural regeneration as exhibited by reversed exponential curve, there was no regeneration in heavily grazed areas. Further, significant variation existed in species diversity, stand density and basal area across the grazing intensity levels. Physical count survey estimated a total 17,263 livestock (14,804 ±396 cattle, 2,365 sheep, 44 goats and 50 donkeys) grazed in the forest daily. The available forage was estimated at 14 million Kg DM/ year. This forage can support 6,104 Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs) throughout the year. Currently, the forest supports 10,629 TLUs, hence grazing threshold has been exceeded by 74%. There is need therefore, to maintain sustainable grazing threshold that would ensure forest regeneration and adequate forage availability. The study will inform grazing policies in Kenya for sustained forest management. Keywords: Deforestation and forest degradation; Biodiversity conservation; Climate change; Governance; Sustainable forest management ID: 3487126 -
DocumentInfluence of livestock grazing within piospheres under free range and controlled conditions in Botswana 2001
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No results found.The study was conducted in the Eastern Kalahari sandveld of Botswana on a shrub savanna vegetation type dominated by Terminalia sericea / Boscia albitrunca / Grewia flavaand Dichrostachys cinerea woodland. It was initiated in an attempt to determine the impact of livestock grazing within piospheres on soil nutrients, range condition and the influence of season on forage quality and diet composition of livestock. The study was centered around the water points and conducted on b oth free range grazing and controlled conditions. Measurements on soil and vegetation attributes were recorded at particular points along the transects from the water point. Vegetation and livestock diets were measured seasonally over a period of two years. Chemical analyses of soil revealed the low background fertility of the Kalahari sandveld. The impact of dung and urine on soil chemistry was localized in the area immediate to the vicinity of the water point. Phosphorus, pH and cation exch ange capacity were the most responsive attributes to variation along the transect from the water point. High livestock units carried at any particular borehole had an influence on the level of soil nutrient status. Management plans should aim at a more even spread of nutrients by improving the distribution of water points. -
Book (series)Pro-Poor Management of Public Health Risks Associated with Livestock: The Case of Hpai in East and Southeast Asia 2007
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No results found.Transmissible zoonotic pathogens associated with livestock pose a challenge to public health and economic security at local, national and global levels. Thus, the emergence and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in East and Southeast Asia has led to massive investments in disease prevention and control, most of which, ironically, were devoted to contingent pandemic planning in OECD countries.
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