Local Perceptions of Livestock Husbandry and Rangeland Degradation in the Highlands of South Africa: Implication for Development Interventions

Beyene, Solomon T.; Mlisa, L. Nomfundo; Gxasheka, Masibonge

doi:10.1080/09709274.2014.11906760

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Previous studies have not reported the composite consumptive and trade value across all livestock types in a household, but a few studies offer figures for specific livestock types (such as cattle) and are comparable to this study (e.g., [2,28]). The majority of respondents kept a mixture of livestock species, a common feature in many communal production systems in southern Africa [12,13,29,30], as a means to maximise consumable products and services, increase income and savings and as means to spread risk [5]. Although small stock (sheep and goats) dominated both in terms of the proportion of households involved in ownership and according to herd size [2,31], cattle ownership was preferred because of their role as long-term investments or savings [1] and their link to cultural tradition which connect residents to their ancestors and symbolises a 'proper' African homestead [10,32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recognition of EDS in the ecosystem services framework extends beyond economic figures to paint a fuller picture of the functioning of rural livelihoods. For example, the poor quality rangelands in Njela and Ludaka, which have commonly been identified as a primary constraint to livestock production in other parts of the Eastern Cape (e.g., [12,44]), were perceived to be the consequence of pervasive rangeland burning by livestock owners in the past. This institution, also noted by [45] in an area close to this study, was implemented to maintain young and palatable swards and to remove ticks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating Ecosystem Services and Disservices in Valuing Smallholder Livestock and Poultry Production in Three Villages in South Africa

Herd-Hoare

Shackleton

2020

Land

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This study presents an integrated examination of both the ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) associated with smallholder animal husbandry in rural livelihoods in three villages in southeast South Africa. It recognises the contribution of ES supporting and resulting from smallholder livestock and poultry production, but also details the limiting factors or EDS, such as tick-borne disease, birds of prey or unpalatable rangeland, produced by the same system. Using a mixed-methods approach, including focus group discussions with various Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) activities, key informant interviews, household surveys and land-use change mapping on GIS, we consider the relative value and benefits from ES after the effects of EDS, as well as the management and strategies that households adopt to minimise EDS. The effects of ES and EDS were expressed in economic terms to provide a common framework to assess the magnitude of their contribution or effect. Although animal husbandry made measurable contributions to households, with an average gross value of between R2605–R9753 across villages, EDS undermined the meaningful production of livestock and poultry goods and services. The average EDS-induced economic loss in households was between R8289–R22,426 per annum. Despite active management, often at substantial cost to the household, EDS undermined the health of livestock which resulted in a loss of the animal or potential goods and services produced. We emphasise the need to recognise both the positive and negative contributions of ecosystems to identify the complex feedbacks between ES and EDS which interact to determine local ways of doing things.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Ecosystem Services and Disservices in Valuing Smallholder Livestock and Poultry Production in Three Villages in South Africa

Herd-Hoare

Shackleton

2020

Land

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“…Donkey, sheep and goats are kept in villages because they can thrive on poor grazing land available on the fringes. Sheep and goats provide fibre for making cloth locally [22].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livelihood Dependence on Highland Pastoralism (Doksa) in Trans-Himalayan Region of Zanskar, Ladakh

Raj

Angchuk

Islam

2020

IJECC

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A unique system of short-distance vertical transhumance pastoralism has evolved in the Trans-Himalayan region of Zanskar, Ladakh in response to short summer cropping season and vast alpine pasturelands. Cattle are taken to highland pastures for three-and-a-half month in summer season and kept in temporary settlements locally called as doksa. The study investigated the herding practices, migration pattern, livestock production and livelihood dependence on highland pastoralism. Purposive sampling technique was administered to withdraw the sample of 6 doksas and the data were collected from both secondary and primary sources. Results revealed that 31 herders in the 6 doksas possessed a total of 794 milk producing zhomos. The doksas produced 3 lakh litres of milk, 18000 kg of butter and the same amount of dried protein cake (chhurpey). The herders earned incomes of ₹ 122500.00 and ₹ 59375.00 by trading 300-350 kg of butter and 450-500 kg of chhurpey, respectively with employment opportunities of 3100 woman-days/year. The poor living conditions at doksa and unavailability of alternative economic opportunities for women herders has threatened its continuation for cash generation, food and livelihood security and socioeconomic development. Therefore, livelihood diversification using alternative resources is imperative to keep pace with current development and future challenges.

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“…The successful implementation of wilder rangelands for restoring biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem functioning, improving human livelihoods, and mitigating climate change necessitates a comprehensive examination of the socio-political and institutional factors that can enable or hinder these objectives (Behnke 2021 ). This section delves into the intricate web of socio-political, governance, and institutional elements that shape wilder rangelands and emphasise the need for an integrated perspective.…”

Section: Implementation Of Wilder Rangelandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These policies encompass mining, forestry, energy developments, but also conservation, and carbon and biodiversity credit schemes. It is evident that while some of these policies are essential for the successful implementation of wilder rangelands, others, despite good intentions, may inadvertently become barriers to progress (Behnke 2021 ). Hence, to identify potential barriers to wilder rangelands it is necessary to conduct a policy analysis to identify policies that may support or may hinder implementation and identify what type of policy instruments (regulatory, economic or informative), or mixed policy instruments, could incentivise a change in the direction of wilder rangelands.…”

Section: Implementation Of Wilder Rangelandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wilder rangelands as a natural climate opportunity: Linking climate action to biodiversity conservation and social transformation

Simba,

te Beest,

Hawkins

et al. 2024

Ambio

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Rangelands face threats from climate and land-use change, including inappropriate climate change mitigation initiatives such as tree planting in grassy ecosystems. The marginalization and impoverishment of rangeland communities and their indigenous knowledge systems, and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are additional major challenges. To address these issues, we propose the wilder rangelands integrated framework, co-developed by South African and European scientists from diverse disciplines, as an opportunity to address the climate, livelihood, and biodiversity challenges in the world’s rangelands. More specifically, we present a Theory of Change to guide the design, monitoring, and evaluation of wilder rangelands. Through this, we aim to promote rangeland restoration, where local communities collaborate with regional and international actors to co-create new rangeland use models that simultaneously mitigate the impacts of climate change, restore biodiversity, and improve both ecosystem functioning and livelihoods.

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Local Perceptions of Livestock Husbandry and Rangeland Degradation in the Highlands of South Africa: Implication for Development Interventions

Cited by 16 publications

References 1 publication

Integrating Ecosystem Services and Disservices in Valuing Smallholder Livestock and Poultry Production in Three Villages in South Africa

Integrating Ecosystem Services and Disservices in Valuing Smallholder Livestock and Poultry Production in Three Villages in South Africa

Livelihood Dependence on Highland Pastoralism (Doksa) in Trans-Himalayan Region of Zanskar, Ladakh

Wilder rangelands as a natural climate opportunity: Linking climate action to biodiversity conservation and social transformation

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