Mixed Systems reliant on Communal Resources:
Environmental Risks and Opportunities

Risk Overview for Communal Grazing

This table indicates by the most common environmental risks and opportunities associated with the mixed system where livestock farming relies on communal resources.

Resource Zone | Risks and Opportunities | Underlying factors
Land: Communal area | (-) Overexploitation of natural resources (-) Change in composition of vegetation and soil cover (-) Accelerated sheet erosion and gully formation | Local expansion of land under cultivation, increase of human and livestock populations Overgrazing fallow land and communal pastures leading to loss of palatable species and vegetation cover Repeated overgrazing leading to larger areas of bare soil exposed to wind and rain with a low water holding capacity; cattle tracks
Land: On farm | (+) Improved soil fertility and soil structure for crop cultivation on nearby fields (-) Accelerated decline soil fertility and sheet erosion on further away fields | Sedentarisation of pastoralists and permanent crop cultivation. Changed livestock/cropland ratio: change in levels of plant nutrients and Soil Organic Matter per hectare on nearby fields. Import of plant nutrients and organic matter through manure from feeding on communal pastures. Repeated cultivation with insufficient manure supply. Draught Animal Power (DAP) facilitating an expansion of area under cultivation, shorter fallow and longer cultivation periods Local imbalance of livestock/cropland ratio and feed requirement for Draught Animal Power (DAP)
Water | (-) Pollution of water sources with faeces, urine and dirt (-) Pollution of water with agro-chemicals | Increased competition for water of humans needs, livestock and irrigation. Increase in irrigated agriculture and use of agro-chemicals Poor management of animal wastes
Air | (-) Increasing Methane emission | Increasing numbers of ruminants and equines feeding on poor quality feed leading to possible increase in Methane emissions. More carbohydrates decomposed by livestock less by wild and soil life or through burning.
Vegetation | (-) Change in composition | Overgrazing of palatable grass and browse species
Bio-diversity | (-) Loss of Habitat for wild life and plant species (-) Change in habitat for flora and fauna (-) Loss of genetic diversity in domesticated species. | Overgrazing leading to loss of plant species Cultivation practices (i.e. irrigation) and control measures (i.e. burning) Loss of diversity in ecological and socio-economic settings in which animals are kept

Crop-Livestock Integration - Policy Pressures and Policy Options

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