Matrix of environmental risks in sub-humid and humid sedentary grazing systems on communal areas - LGH2

Resource base | Risks and opportunities | Underlying factors
Land Soil structure | (-) Soil compaction | Animal trampling in the wet season, stock concentration
(-) Acceleration of erosion | Excessive grazing and browsing, animal trampling
Land Soil fertility | (+) Nutrient cycling improvement | Animal faeces: management of manure on grazing areas
(+) Nutrient transfer to crop areas | Animal faeces: management of manure on cropping areas
Water Quality | (-) Organic pollution of surface water | Poor management of animal wastes
Atmosphere Gas emission | (-) Increased Carbon dioxide emission | Poor grazing management: Use of Fire to maintain pasture
(+) Decreased rates of Carbon dioxide release to the atmosphere | Carbon sequestration: Maintenance or restoration of natural or semi-natural ecosystems
Biodiversity Vegetation structure | (+) Maintenance of vegetal structure and landscape | Good grazing management: e.g. controlled use of fire
(-) Excessive increase of tree and shrub density | Poor grazing management: overgrazing
(-) Decreased abundance of perennial grasses | Poor grazing management: reduction of grass competition
Biodiversity Plant species | (+) Maintenance of botanical diversity in savanna | Good grazing management: e.g. controlled use of fire
(-) Weed invasion | Invasive weed as a result of poor grazing management: Seed dissemination by animals
Biodiversity Animal species | (-) Reduction of wildlife and habitat | Poor protection of wildlife: Competition for food, water and space between livestock and wildlife
(-) Reduction of wildlife and habitats | Poor protection of wildlife: Reduction of access to watering points for wildlife

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