Dynamics of grazing policy and practice: environmental and social impacts in three communal areas of southern Africa

Rohde, Rick; Moleele, N.M.; Mphale, M.; Allsopp, Nicky; Chanda, Raban; Hoffman, M. Timm; Magole, Lapologang; Young, Einir

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2005.11.009

Cited by 80 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The tenure system often determines how land is managed and used and thus is often implicated as a primary driver of degradation [51,52]. For example, in smallholder systems in East Africa, investments in soil fertility are more likely when there is security in tenure or ownership [53].…”

Section: Drivers Of Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The primary cause of soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is expansion and intensification of agriculture in efforts to feed its growing population. Effective solutions will support resilient systems, and must cut across agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic objectives. While many studies compare and contrast the effects of different management practices on soil properties, soil degradation can only be evaluated within a specific temporal and spatial context using multiple indicators. The extent and rate of soil degradation in SSA is still under debate as there are no reliable data, just gross estimates. Nevertheless, certain soils are losing their ability to provide food and essential ecosystem services, and we know that soil fertility depletion is the primary cause. We synthesize data from studies that examined degradation in SSA at broad spatial and temporal scales and quantified multiple soil degradation indicators, and we found clear indications of degradation across multiple indicators. However, different indicators have different trajectories-pH and cation exchange capacity tend to decline linearly, and soil organic carbon and yields non-linearly. Future research should focus on how soil degradation in SSA leads to changes in ecosystem services, and how to manage these soils now and in the future. OPEN ACCESS

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Section: Drivers Of Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

et al. 2015

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“…Despite the vivid equilibrium debate around the role of grazing on degradation [58,59], there is evidence that the concentration of indigenous populations has led to a high demand for natural resources in former "communal areas". Because of this significant linkage between land tenure and sustainability in the region [60], the success of Zimbabwe's land reform can be measured according to its impact on degradation in transferred farm lands and former communal areas.…”

Section: Environmental Sustainability Of Land Reforms-sustainability mentioning

confidence: 99%

“Bring Back the Land”—A Call to Refocus on the Spatial Dimension of Zimbabwe’s Land Reform

Hentze

Menz

2015

Land

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Abstract:In this article, we argue that research on land reform in the nation of Zimbabwe has overlooked possibilities of integrating geospatial methods into analyses and, at the same time, geographers have not adequately developed techniques for this application. Scholars have generally been captured within the debate focused on the success or failure of the Zimbabwean land reform program, and have neglected to analyze what has occurred where during the process of "fast-track land reform". To date, no extensive national dataset of land ownership change, and the effect of this change on land use planning strategies, has been developed within the scientific community. As a result, most publications, even very detailed and thorough ones, have been based on regional case studies, broad estimates, or on outdated, cross-referenced statistics. To overcome the lack of spatio-temporal data, we propose an analytic framework to map Zimbabwe's fast-track land reform and its country-wide effects. It emphasizes the potential of geographic information systems and satellite remote sensing to provide an objective basis for future studies of the subject.

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“…Local ecological knowledge, the social values, and productive logics involving mobile pastoralism with informal rules for management, local breeding, or common property are at the core of sustainable land management in many drylands (e.g. Fernández-Giménez, 2000; Rohde et al, 2006). However, they were frequently seen as unsustainable from the perspective of a western mindset (e.g.…”

Section: A Step Towards a Multidimensional Protocol To Combat Desertimentioning

confidence: 99%

Zero net livelihood degradation – the quest for a multidimensional protocol to combat desertification

Easdale¹

2016

SOIL

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Abstract. The concept of Zero Net Land Degradation was recently proposed as the basis for a future protocol for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to reduce global dryland degradation. It aims at reducing the rate of land degradation and increasing the rate of restoration of already degraded land. Whereas there is recognition of the socio-economic contexts that underlie degradation processes, there is a narrow focus on land and soil as the end core that needs to be protected. In particular, there is an essential human dimension to the sustainability of drylands that should be adequately tackled. In order to provide a wider perspective of the zero net degradation in drylands, I suggest considering the different livelihoods of rural households as a framework that encompasses the multidimensional perspective of desertification as a complex social-ecological problem. The scientific community must develop and apply the zero net livelihood degradation as an enhanced protocol to combat desertification that should foster sustainable livelihood outcomes rather than only sustainable land practices or soil management.

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Dynamics of grazing policy and practice: environmental and social impacts in three communal areas of southern Africa

Cited by 80 publications

References 16 publications

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions

“Bring Back the Land”—A Call to Refocus on the Spatial Dimension of Zimbabwe’s Land Reform

Zero net livelihood degradation – the quest for a multidimensional protocol to combat desertification

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