Grasslands of the World.pdf - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

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Grasslands of the world
the importance of water development is stressed in Australia . Conversely, the
breakdown of mechanized wells after decollectivization has rendered large
tracts of Mongolia inaccessible to domestic livestock. The type of livestock
affects the frequency of water; camels are by far the hardiest, whereas most
cattle and small stock can only graze for about two days away from water in
hot, dry climates.
Techniques in commercial systems vary according to available water supplies
and include: wells and boreholes (artesian or pumped); dams and ponds;
and pumping and piping from water bodies. Traditional systems include wells,
which are important in the Sahel and parts of East Africa – those of the Borana
are particularly well developed. Various methods of water harvesting and storage
are used in semi -arid areas, including birka (cisterns) in Somalia and hafir
(dug tanks) in several Arabic countries.
Creation of water points has been widely used, especially in Africa, as a
means of making new pastures available to traditional herders, often with the
intention of reducing pressure on existing grassland . Even if rules for water use
and grazing management are drawn up, it is difficult to enforce them, especially
in times of stress. Concentration of stock around permanent water points is
given as a cause of pasture degradation in many of the studies – in both commercial
and traditional systems .
Water is sometimes transported by truck, which is expensive, but if, as is
the case in Syria and Jordan , the pasture is being used as hard standing for
herds fattened on bought feed, it can be profitable, whatever the effect on any
remaining vegetation .
In a few cases (Mongolia , Russia ) water-spreading is sometimes used to
improve grass growth, especially for haymaking . Irrigation is frequently used,
mainly in commercial systems , to grow fodder, usually for conservation .
Natural salt-licks
Natural salt-lick (deposits or salt springs that animals lick) are valued in
many zones of extensive grassland and are used by both livestock and grazing
wildlife . Herders in, for example, sub-Saharan Africa and Mongolia take their
herds long distances for periodic access to licks. Salt is, of course, commonly
given to livestock, either alone or in proprietary blocks that may contain
other minerals. Where herbage is deficient in minerals, which are essential
to animal growth, their well -being and productivity suffers. Phosphorus
deficiency is widespread and is especially acute in sub-Saharan Africa. Several
minor elements may be deficient in localized areas: the pastures of the Kenya
Rift Valley between Nakuru and Naivasha were notorious for poor livestock
performance; this “Nakuritis” was diagnosed as cobalt deficiency and has since
been found on many other grasslands.