A research study was conducted to assess ecological condition and range improvement priorities of peasants� communities. Three typical alpaca production systems in the Central Sierra of Peru: Communal Cooperatives (CC), Communal Farms (CF) and Livestock Associations (LA) were studied. Results showed that LA and CF rangelands were in lower condition (fair) than CC (good). Forage balances (Alpaca Units: Al.U) and range trend were positive for CC (0.3 Al.U/ha/yr) and negative for CF and LA (-0.3 and -1.5 Al.U/ha/yr, respectively). Ranchers� perceptions about range management problems and range improvements needs were in general similar among ranchers except for availability of water sources. LA and CC had enough water sources available for livestock whereas lack of water was a significant problem for CF. When range managers were asked to rank management problems and range improvement needs, they indicated lack water developments and overgrazing as the two main problems affecting alpaca production whereas paddock fencing, establishment of irrigation systems, and technical training were considered key range improvement needs.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.