5.5.4.2. Selection of Plants and Livestock
Selection of plants (e.g., legume-based systems) and animal species and better
stock management are likely to be the most positive management options (Chapman
et al., 1996; Gitay and Noble, 1998). Rotational cropping and decreased use
of marginal lands might be necessary in rangeland management. This might mean
more intensive land management in some areas, leading to more reliable food
supplies and perhaps reduction in methane production from livestock (decrease
in methane production would be caused by improved forage quality; Allen-Diaz,
1996). Potential stocking rates could be determined via satellite imagery (Oesterheld
et al., 1998). However, the decision on stocking rates might still be made on
a social basis, especially given the values associated with livestock in many
pastoral rangeland communities (Turner, 1993).
5.5.4.3. Multiple Cropping System and Agroforestry
As human population in rangelands increases and land use changes, some traditional
practices are becoming less appropriate. Some of the options for sustainable
agriculture could include efficient small-scale or garden irrigation, more effective
rainfed farming, changing cropping patterns, intercropping, or using crops with
lower water demand (Lal, 1989; Batchelor et al., 1994; Dixon et al., 1994a;
Dabbagh and Abdelrahman, 1998). Conservation-effective tillage is an option
that could help to achieve improved productivity (Benites and Ofori, 1993).
Agroforesry, using potential fuelwood species, also is an obvious option to
alleviate land degradation as well as to meet some social needs. Management
(e.g., appropriate coppicing in Uganda) or other practices (e.g., collecting
only dead or fallen wood; Benjaminsen, 1993) are considered essential for maintenance
of fuelwood species. Where woody weeds are increasing, they could be used for
domestic fuel supply; otherwise, management options (e.g., use of fire along
with regulation of grazing—Archer, 1995; Brown and Archer, 1999) might
have to be implemented to control woody weeds.
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