The Improvement of Tropical and Subtropical Rangelands (BOSTID): Acknowledgements

The Improvement of Tropical and Subtropical Rangelands (BOSTID)

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Acknowledgements

Panel on the improvement of tropical and subtropical rangelands

Contributors

National research council staff

Preface

Overview: Dimensions of a worldwide environmental crisis

The geographical scope

References

Part I

Introduction

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References

The nature of tropical and subtropical rangelands

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Range classification

Social system-ecosystem interactions

References

The social context for rangeland improvement

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Production systems in tropical and subtropical regions

Context of environmental degradation

References

The economic context

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Range systems

The basis of range economics

Project analysis

Determining costs and benefits

Resource evaluation

Market price determination

References

Regional resource assessment

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Information needs

Information acquisition

References

Site evaluation

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An ecosystem perspective

A systems approach to site evaluation

Evaluation of abiotic and biotic components

Integrated evaluations

References

Grazing management

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Grazing management concepts

Time of grazing

Distribution of grazing

Type of animal grazing

Number of animals grazing

Grazing management planning

Grazing management systems

Livestock management

The herima system in Mali

References

Rehabilitation techniques

Establishing plants on the range

Natural revegetation

Direct seeding

Improvement of tropical and subtropical rangelands

Selected practices

References

Criteria for plant selection

Project planning

Socioeconomic and management considerations in feasibility studies

Adaptation to ecoclimatic conditions

Adaptation to soils

Adaptation to physiography, geomorphology, topography, slope, and aspect

Ability of introduced species to compete with native vegetation

Use regimes

Availability of seeds and plant materials

Maintenance of biological diversity

Plant improvement

References

Part II

Introduction to the case studies

Pastoral regimes of Mauritania

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Physical geography

Migration cycle

The Beni Mguild of Morocco

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Physical geography

Migratory cycle

The Kel Tamasheq

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Introduction

Camp organization

References

Dromedary pastoralism in Africa and Arabia

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Introduction

Reproduction and risk

Management and labor

Subsistence production

Marketing

Predatory pastoralism

The future of camel pastoralism

References

The mountain nomads of Iran: Basseri and Bakhtiari

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The physical environment

The basseri

The bakhtiari

The Marri Baluch of Pakistan

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Physical environment

Seasons and migrations

A mixed economic system

Conclusiones

Changing patterns of resource use in the Bedthi-Aghanashini valleys of Karnataka state, India

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Introduction

The setting

Human communities

Traditional patterns of resource management

Colonial period

After independence

Recent trends

References

Kenya: Seeking remedies for desert encroachment

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Introduction

Background

Traditional pastoralism

Baseline studies

Vegetation and livestock

Directions for the future

The hema system in the Arabian peninsula

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Rights of ownership or use

The hema system in Saudi Arabia

The mahmia or marah, and the koze system in Syria

Neglect of the hema and its consequences

Hema in the range improvement and conservation programs in the near east

References

Wildlife land use at the Athi River, Kenya

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Background

Some early findings

Conclusion

Camel husbandry in Kenya: Increasing the productivity of ranchland

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Introduction

Location

Vegetation

Livestock

Introduction of camels

Management and adaptability

Reproduction and lactation

Veterinary notes

Economics

Reference

The potential of faidherbia albida for desertification control and increased productivity in Chad

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Background

Characteristics of faidherbia albida

Project description

Project analysis and evaluation

Conclusions

References

Improving Nigeria's animal feed resources: Pastoralists and scientists cooperate in fodder bank research

Board on science technology for international development

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Members

Acknowledgements

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the Nation al Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self - perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Frank Press is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Robert M. White is president of the National Academy of Engineering

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government. and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Samuel O. Thier is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and of advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Frank Press and Dr. Robert M. White are chairman and vice chairman , respectively, of the National Research Council.

The Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID) of the Office of International Affairs addresses a range of issues arising from the ways in which science and technology in developing countries can stimulate and complement the complex processes of social and economic development. It oversees a broad program of bilateral workshops with scientific organization in developing countries and conducts special studies.

This report has been prepared by an ad hoc advisory panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development, Office of International Affairs, National Research Council. Staff support was funded by the Office of the Science Advisor, Agency for International Development under Grant No. DAN 5538-G-SS-1023-00/R.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 89-43206 ISBN 0-309-04261-5