Article
Biology
Mario Vicente, Imke Lankheet, Thembi Russell, Nina Hollfelder, Vinet Coetzee, Himla Soodyall, Michael De Jongh, Carina M. Schlebusch
Summary: The study analyzed the genome data of descendants of Hessequa herders in southern Africa, revealing the genetic influence of East African pastoralists and the male-biased nature of pastoralist expansion in the region. The findings contribute to understanding historical human migration and the spread of livestock practices.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Zoe Campbell, Paul Coleman, Andrea Guest, Peetambar Kushwaha, Thembinkosi Ramuthivheli, Tom Osebe, Brian Perry, Jeremy Salt
Summary: This study prioritized animal health needs in East and West Africa and South Asia through systematic literature review, expert workshops, and practitioner survey. The top constraints identified include diseases, parasites, and nutrition issues, with experts suggesting a focus on existing veterinary technologies and best husbandry practices to address systemic challenges. Incorporating socio-economic impact measures in future research would better represent the interests of livestock keepers.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Tyrrell, Irene Amoke, Koen Betjes, Femke Broekhuis, Robert Buitenwerf, Sarah Carroll, Nathan Hahn, Daniel Haywood, Britt Klaassen, Mette Lovschal, David Macdonald, Karen Maiyo, Hellen Mbithi, Nelson Mwangi, Churchil Ochola, Erick Odire, Victoria Ondrusek, Junior Ratemo, Frank Pope, Samantha Russell, Wilson Sairowua, Kiptoo Sigilai, Jared A. Stabach, Jens-Christian Svenning, Elizabeth Stone, Johan T. du Toit, Guy Western, George Wittemyer, Jake Wall
Summary: The savannas of the Kenya-Tanzania borderland are important for biodiversity conservation and support a large number of pastoralists and their livestock. However, the ongoing fragmentation of natural vegetation by smallholder fencing and agricultural expansion threatens this social-ecological system. In this study, data from multiple sources were synthesized to create a spatial-temporal database, providing valuable information for ecological research, conservation, livestock management, and spatial planning.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Adane Kebede Gebeyehu, Ben G. J. S. Sonneveld, Denyse J. Snelder
Summary: This study analyzes the supply-demand relationships for livestock herds among the Nyangatom in South Omo, Ethiopia, identifying seasonal and location-specific 'hotspots' where fodder demand exceeds supply. It highlights the challenges faced and proposes solutions to ensure sustainable rangeland management and food security for the agro-pastoralists.
Article
Environmental Studies
Leigh Johnson, Tahira Shariff Mohamed, Ian Scoones, Masresha Taye
Summary: Amidst climatic and economic volatility, weather microinsurance is being used to manage uncertainties in dryland pastoral and agricultural settings. However, economists have puzzled over low adoption rates of insurance. This research shows that insurance understanding is shaped by social and economic factors in pastoralist communities.
ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING A-ECONOMY AND SPACE
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Olivier Bargain, Ulugbek Aminjonov
Summary: The study found that work-related mobility in high-poverty regions during lockdown period decreased significantly less compared to other regions, and higher poverty levels accelerated the spread of the virus. The research also suggested the complementary role of social protection measures and physical distancing measures in pandemic response.
Review
Development Studies
Greta Semplici, Tom Campbell
Summary: This article reviews the history of rural politics and development in East African drylands, particularly in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands, in the context of climate change. The author criticizes the renewed international and national attention to the drylands under the framework of 'resilience building,' highlighting the tensions between climate change policies and local knowledge and practices. The article suggests that learning from pastoral practices can provide alternative theoretical and policy options.
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Katherine M. Grillo, Zachary McKeeby, Elisabeth A. Hildebrand
Summary: Nderit pottery, famous for its intricate basket-like bowls in eastern Africa, has a long history dating back to the time of the Pastoral Neolithic. Archaeologists have redefined their understanding of Nderit pottery over the past 80 years, discovering its earlier origins in northwest Kenya. The ceramic assemblages from pillar sites around Lake Turkana reveal a complex history of pottery production and use, challenging previous assumptions about early pastoralist societies in the region.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charity Wangithi, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Gracious Diiro, Thomas Dubois, Samira Mohamed, Michael G. Lattorff, Benignus Ngowi, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Mariam Adan, Menale Kassie
Summary: This study evaluates the potential economic and welfare impact of integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM) in avocado production systems in Kenya and Tanzania. The findings suggest that the adoption of IPPM can lead to economic benefits, reduce poverty, accelerate economic development, and improve the livelihoods of various actors in the avocado value chain.
Article
Environmental Studies
Trinity S. Senda, Lance W. Robinson, Charles K. K. Gachene, Geoffrey Kironchi
Summary: This paper examines the impact of a new communal property rights framework on pastoralist livelihoods, perceptions and aspirations in Ethiopia. The findings suggest that diversification of livelihoods is necessary due to the difficulty of relying solely on livestock keeping. Crop production is increasingly becoming an alternative livelihood source for pastoralists. There is a widely held view that land certification can help secure land rights and enable better management of rangelands, but it may also accelerate the transition from pastoralism to agropastoralism.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guillermo Pardo, Raquel Casas, Agustin del Prado, Pablo Manzano
Summary: This study analyzed transhumance using LCA approaches and found that it has lower emissions compared to sedentary livestock systems. The study also highlighted the importance of considering natural emission baselines in grazing systems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Katharine Vincent
Summary: The scoping paper reviewed gender research in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods in select countries in Africa over the past 5 years, highlighting uneven geographical distribution and focus on gender differences in assets, health, agricultural and climate change perceptions, as well as women's empowerment and intra-household decision making.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pablo Palencia, Rachele Vada, Stefania Zanet, Mara Calvini, Andrea De Giovanni, Giacomo Gola, Ezio Ferroglio
Summary: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease that has spread to more than 30 countries in Europe and Asia since 2007. The recent outbreak in mainland Italy has had a significant impact on the population of wild boar, leading to a cascade effect in the ecosystem. Camera traps have been shown to be effective in monitoring ASF infection, providing valuable data on movement parameters, population density, recruitment, and human compliance with restrictions. These parameters play a crucial role in optimizing ASF control efforts.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiane Menezes, Rodrigo Carmo, Rainer Wirth, Inara R. Leal, Marcelo Tabarelli, Andre Laurenio, Felipe P. L. Melo
Summary: The presence of herbivores, specifically goats, can significantly impact the species diversity and above-ground biomass of herbaceous vegetation in the Caatinga region of Brazil. The effects of goat exclosures on vegetation diversity and biomass vary over time, with environmental factors such as rainfall, forest cover, and grazing pressure also playing important roles. This highlights the complexity of species assembly processes in Caatinga rangelands and the potential cascading effects on ecosystem functions resulting from changes in plant species composition and diversity caused by goat grazing.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Lu, Lynn Huntsinger, WenJun Li
Summary: This study explores the impact of easily accessible microcredit loans on households in pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia, finding that the loans increase financial risk due to misalignment with the local husbandry production cycle. Borrowers are forced to turn to usurers to repay bank loans, leading to a vicious cycle of increasing debt and ultimately impoverishment. The findings highlight the importance of aligning microcredit programs with local production cycles and considering environmental constraints in semiarid regions.
