Mobile Grazing sub-system on Communal Areas in Semi-Arid Zones - LGS1

This sub-system is above all based on transhumance. It is present across a wide area of tropical semi-arid zones of Africa (Sahel and Sudan-Sahel belt, high plateaux in eastern Africa and a part of the southern regions) and Asia (Rajasthan, Middle East). Semi-transhumant systems exist in north-east Brazil (Sertao) and south-west Madagascar.

Generally, different livestock systems can be found simultaneously in the same area, in the same village. Along the circuit of transhumance, the pastoralists must have access to communal pastures. They often require access to the same resources as sedentary livestock farmers. Agreements are concluded between those having local rights to resources and transhumants. Occasionally cases of conflict occur between pastoralists and cultivators, especially with regard to crop damage, and sometimes between groups of pastoralists seeking access to pastures and watering points.

As an adaptation to the circumstances, pastoralists can move to mixed farming and abandon transhumance. This process is called sedentarization (see sedentary grazing sub-system on communal areas in semi-arid zones).

The animals raised are mainly cattle and small ruminants, producing milk and meat, sometimes donkeys and horses for transport.

The principal negative environmental impact of livestock in semi-arid zones is land degradation with reduction of vegetative cover, increase in soil erosion, artificial increase in aridity by run-off, sometimes encroachment of pasture by weeds and exotic scrubs, and the loss of animal biodiversity.

The main positive environmental consequences are, in many places, the attenuation of fire hazard resulting from the reduction of combustible material by grazing, and a certain control of scrub encroachment. Grazing improves in many situations the diversity of plants. By distribution of dung, livestock accelerate nutrient cycling and can improve local soil fertility.

Globally, the impacts on the environment are similar to those of the sedentary grazing sub-system in semi-arid zones. Thus, the matrix of environmental risks and opprortunities of both sub-systems is common.

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