Cattle Ranching in the Semi-Arid Savannas of East and Southern Africa

Clearcutting Brazilian caatinga: assessment of a traditional forest grazing management practice

“…The increased standing crop, presumably a result of reduced competition for soil moisture, nutrients, and sunlight on the cleared paddocks, corresponds with the findings of researchers in other semiarid tropical woodlands of the world [e.g. 5,6,29,30,37,39,41], and with the fivefold increase on other eaatinga sites in northeast Brazil [2].…”

“…African and Australian researchers report impressive increases in herbaceous yields after reducing overstory canopies (e.g. 5,6,29,30,37,39,41].…”

More woody plants? the status of bush encroachment in Botswana’s grazing areas

“…This phenomenon is infact common in other semi-arid savannas and grasslands of the world (Buffington and Herbel, 1965;Blackburn and Tueller, 1970;Barnes, 1979;Bucher, 1987;(Van Vegten, 1981;Skarpe and Bergstrom, 1986;Skarpe, 1991;Ringrose et al, 1996a). Elsewhere, explanations for these changes are debated to be either natural or human-induced or a combination of the two (Verstraete, 1986).…”

The Miombo in transition: woodlands and welfare in Africa

“…Bush clearance has been shown to increase grass yields by up to 400% (Barnes 1979). However, such increases tend to be associated with adverse changes in herbaceous species composition (O'Connor 1985).…”

“…By implication, increased runoff on such catchments can be expected to increase soil erosion. Clear cutting also may increase the incidence and intensity of fire due to increased herbage production (Ward and Cleghorn 1970;Barnes 1979) and possibly desiccation by the sun. These factors can contribute to the accelerated loss of moisture in the top soil.…”