Get reliable rangeland science

A study was conducted in a semi-arid area in North Darfur State, Sudan, to investigate camel herders' perceptions on rangeland utilization and the main factors affecting pastoralists and pasture. Fifty individuals were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Herders, who were either nomadic, transhumant, or sedentary, were selected randomly for interviews at home or at markets. Those who declined to cooperate were replaced. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with a T-test estimating differences between means. The results indicated that 86% of respondents were males aged 21-60 years, with 80% not attending secondary school. The study revealed that 46% of interviewees were transhumant, 46% nomads, and 8% sedentary. Sources of income were livestock (84%), agriculture (14%), and trade (2%). Animals raised were camels, sheep, cattle, and goats, using rangeland primarily during the rainy season. Camels were offered sodium chloride in the wet season at 0.45 kg three times a week and sodium bicarbonate in the dry season at 0.23 kg once a week. Sheep received 0.11 kg of sodium chloride twice a week and 0.11 kg of sodium bicarbonate once a week. Cattle were given 0.23 kg of sodium chloride three times a week and 0.23 kg of sodium bicarbonate once a week. Goats were offered 0.11 kg of sodium chloride daily. Some 92% of respondents recognized threats to rangelands namely decreased rainfall (44%), overgrazing (34%) and desert creep, and soil erosion (14%) while 8% perceived no problem. About 90% of respondents blamed nomads for damaging grazing through seasonal fires and early grazing. Shifting cultivation and climate change were also reported. Some 75% of respondents market animals when 1-3 years old increasing pressure on the range. Appropriate management of the range requires reseeding, organizing seasonal movements of pastoralist groups, and enforcing laws.