Grazing Intensity and Socioeconomic Activities in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve, South Egypt

Abstract

Natural resources, human and socioeconomic activities data were collected directly from human beings at the downstream and upstream parts of Wadi Allaqi. A survey of Bedouin living in this wadi was undertaken using an open-ended questionnaire to gain information about the best general critical factors that controlling the natural recourses of economic activities and their type, only for men bediouns, furthermore, grazing intensity was estimated. Domestic and wild animals can graze and browse on 58.8% of the total recorded species in Wadi Allaqi. As well as the highly palatable species, some camels can graze over 20 plant species that are usually avoided by other animals. About 38% species in the study area have low palatability, 16.5% species are unpalatable and 13.4% are known to be browsed by camels with some exception (Crotalaria aegyptiaca which is poisonous to goats and sheep). Sheep and camel herding, charcoal production, small-scale cultivation, and medicinal plant collections developed a system by Bedouin near Nasser Lake. Out of 93.3% of Bedouin reported that Lake Nasser fluctuation affected their production. Some 13.3% of Ababda and 26.8% Bishari Bedouins agree that the second key which effect their life is the rainfall incidence. Key wards: Wadi Allaqi, grazing intensity, sustainable uses, Socioeconomic activities, palatability