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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Themeda Triandra As A Perennial Seed Crop In South-Eastern Australia: What Are The Agronomic Possibilities And Constraints, And Future Research Needs?, D. Male, J. Hunt, C. Celestina, J. Morgan, D. Gupta, Dja Dja Wurrung People Feb 2024

Themeda Triandra As A Perennial Seed Crop In South-Eastern Australia: What Are The Agronomic Possibilities And Constraints, And Future Research Needs?, D. Male, J. Hunt, C. Celestina, J. Morgan, D. Gupta, Dja Dja Wurrung People

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In Australia, the development of native perennial seed crops is an area of increasing interest. Reasons for this include the production of high-value seed, the significance of native plants to Aboriginal people and the importance of diversified cropping in building more resilient farming systems. One species of interest is Themeda triandra, a C4 perennial tussock grass that dominated grasslands and woodlands across Australia prior to European invasion. Djaara, the traditional owner group representing the Dja Dja Wurrung people of Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung country in central Victoria), is one group who seek to return T. triandra to the landscape …


Biological Stimulants Increase Fertilizer Efficiency And Pasture Legume Content, P. R. Espie, S. Haswell, A. Barton Feb 2024

Biological Stimulants Increase Fertilizer Efficiency And Pasture Legume Content, P. R. Espie, S. Haswell, A. Barton

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The effects of a soil biological stimulant (SS) and biologically activated reactive phosphate rock (BAP) on pasture yield and botanical composition were examined in a field trial in low-fertility New Zealand rangeland. BAP application significantly increased pasture yield by 60% and BAP plus biostimulant increased yield by 120%. BAP significantly increased resident legume cover by 75% and BAP with biostimulants by 85%. Alfalfa, direct drilled as an indicator test species, increased in establishment from 0 to 3.8 plants m-2 with BAP and to 4.2 plants m-2 with BAP plus biostimulant. Biostimulant applied alone increased yield by 17%, legume cover by …


Uf-Accelerate To Industry (A2i): Bringing Industry Into Academia, J. A. Estrada Feb 2024

Uf-Accelerate To Industry (A2i): Bringing Industry Into Academia, J. A. Estrada

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

University stakeholders are targeting candidates with competency in a wide range of professional skills, including team building and leadership, multi-modal communication, intercultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and mental flexibility. We developed UF-Accelerate to Industry (A2i) to deliver these skills to our graduate students and better prepare them to enter a competitive, rapidly evolving workforce. UF-A2i is delivered as day-long “immersion” events, consisting of presentations, panel discussions, skills workshops, and group projects. All activities are led by industry sponsors or career preparation specialists and are focused on building industry-identified skills that will give attendees a competitive edge in the job market. Since …


The Use Of Livestock Gps Trackers To Determine The Grazing Patterns Of Herded And Free Ranging Cattle In The Communal Rangelands Of The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, A. Finca, T. C. Zondani, J. T. Tjelele, M. P. Mavuso Feb 2024

The Use Of Livestock Gps Trackers To Determine The Grazing Patterns Of Herded And Free Ranging Cattle In The Communal Rangelands Of The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, A. Finca, T. C. Zondani, J. T. Tjelele, M. P. Mavuso

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

This study was set in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa which is predominantly rural and where livelihood sustainability is largely dependent on agricultural outputs including livestock production. Land in many of the rural, former homeland areas is held under communal land tenure which means access, utilisation and management is on a collective basis. A number of grazing strategies have been applied over the last hundred years including camp rotational grazing system. However, due to a number of factors including the absence of the communal rangeland and camp boundary fence, most villages do not have a rangeland management strategy …


Preparing Grasslands Scientists For Careers In International Agriculture, M. Eilittä Feb 2024

Preparing Grasslands Scientists For Careers In International Agriculture, M. Eilittä

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Livelihoods of a billion poor people depend on grasslands. Dedicated and trained experts are needed to support grasslands’ sustainable development under increasing pressures in the future. For some grasslands scientists, a career in international agriculture is the principal focus from the start of their education. For others, interest in international agriculture emerges during their careers. All require international opportunities to ensure that their efforts are focused on important priorities, that they understand the environment they work in, and that their professional networks are up to date. This paper reflects on ways for grassland scientists to be engaged in international agriculture …


How ‘Pasture For Life (Championing 100% Pasture-Fed Ruminant Products) Has Taken Off In The Uk – From The Bottom Up!, S. J. Gregson Feb 2024

How ‘Pasture For Life (Championing 100% Pasture-Fed Ruminant Products) Has Taken Off In The Uk – From The Bottom Up!, S. J. Gregson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Ten years ago Pasture for Life (PfL) was a collection of around 50 UK farmers who were producing high quality ruminant food products wholly from pasture. They were regenerative farming pioneers and PfL was run by volunteers and funded through various grants. In the past two to three years, membership has increased significantly, nearing 1,000 with almost 150 certified Pasture for Life (100% grass-fed). The organisation is now run by a paid executive and is bursting with energy, conversation, and learning. Members are mainly farmers, but also include butchers, chefs, vets, academics and consumers – all keen to champion the …


Rotational Stocking With Virtual Fences: Effects On Grassland Diet Digestibility, Livestock Performance And Stress Levels Of Heifers, N. A. Grinnell, D. Hamidi, M. Komainda, F. Reisch, J. Horn, I. Traulsen, R. Palme, J. Isselstein Feb 2024

Rotational Stocking With Virtual Fences: Effects On Grassland Diet Digestibility, Livestock Performance And Stress Levels Of Heifers, N. A. Grinnell, D. Hamidi, M. Komainda, F. Reisch, J. Horn, I. Traulsen, R. Palme, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Virtual fencing is an innovative technology for simplified, less laborious dynamic grazing management and remote animal monitoring. The effect of this novel technology on animal welfare is still a matter of debate. Previous research suggests no differences in stress experience responses of cattle between the two fencing systems on continuously stocked pastures. This study investigated differences in diet organic matter digestibility, livestock performance and fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations of heifers on pastures in a rotational grazing system, fenced with a virtual fence (Nofence, Batnfjordsøra Norway) compared to heifers fenced with a traditional electric wire fence. The study was conducted in …


Herbaceous Tropical Legume Integration Into Small-Holder Crop-Livestock Systems In Eastern Indonesia: Results Of 10-Years Of Multi-Disciplinary Systems Research, L. W. Bell, D. Mayberry, K. Cox, S. Traill, J. Nulik, E. J. Hosang, D. Kana Hau Feb 2024

Herbaceous Tropical Legume Integration Into Small-Holder Crop-Livestock Systems In Eastern Indonesia: Results Of 10-Years Of Multi-Disciplinary Systems Research, L. W. Bell, D. Mayberry, K. Cox, S. Traill, J. Nulik, E. J. Hosang, D. Kana Hau

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Integration a forage legume into crop-livestock systems of Eastern Indonesia was tested to establish the capacity to improve nitrogen supply and yields of staple cereal crops (maize and rice) and allow for intensification of beef production to ultimately increase farm income and alleviate rural poverty in the region. Species evaluation sites across a diversity of environments showed Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) to be the most resilient and adaptable forage legume for use in association with cropping systems. Crop rotation experiments demonstrated that legumes grown in rotation with maize or rice can increase grain yields by 50% where legume was cut …


Drone And Digital Camera Imagery Estimate C3 And C4 Grass Ratios In Pastures, J. A. Bush, C. D. Teutsch, S. R. Smith, J. C. Henning Feb 2024

Drone And Digital Camera Imagery Estimate C3 And C4 Grass Ratios In Pastures, J. A. Bush, C. D. Teutsch, S. R. Smith, J. C. Henning

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The following study investigates the accuracy and practicality of exploiting the color dichotomy present between C3 and C4 grass species to estimate their respective proportions from drone or camera captured imagery. Understanding the proportions of C3 and C4 grasses in pastures is vital to sound decision making for livestock production. The ability to monitor these proportions remotely will also allow for large scale monitoring as well as detection of changes in botanical composition over time and in response to weather events, management, or climate change. A free green canopy cover (GCC) analyzing software, Canopeo, was used to quantify green plants …


Ecosystem Services And Life Cycle Assessment Of Perennial And Annual Cropping Systems, M. Berti, A. Cecchin Feb 2024

Ecosystem Services And Life Cycle Assessment Of Perennial And Annual Cropping Systems, M. Berti, A. Cecchin

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Corn cultivation has negative impacts to the environment, such as nitrate leaching, soil erosion, and nitrous oxide emissions. Perennial crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) reduce annual disturbance of soil, which affects many biogeochemical cycles that are key to provide resilience and stability to cropping systems. Four three-year crop sequences were evaluated. 1) Corn-soybean-corn (CSC); 2) alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (AAA); 3) Corn-spring planted alfalfa-alfalfa (CAA); and 4) Corn-intercropped/alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (CAIAA). Modeling of C and N cycles were conducted with the Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model and global warming potential (GWP) was estimated using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The soil organic carbon (SOC) balance …


Choosing The Best Online Platform, L. L. Baxter, A. Best Feb 2024

Choosing The Best Online Platform, L. L. Baxter, A. Best

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Social media is a powerful tool that enables forage-livestock researchers and Extension specialists to connect with a wide audience of producers, Extension personnel, colleagues, and industry partners. This presentation in the thematic session on “Understanding the role of social media and digital resources in forage education and promotion” will provide an overview of popular social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) and discuss how to transform impactful research and Extension programming into effective social content before leading into the panel discussion.


Role Of Social Media And Digital Resources In Forage Education, L. L. Baxter Feb 2024

Role Of Social Media And Digital Resources In Forage Education, L. L. Baxter

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Social media and digital resources are powerful tools that enable forage-livestock researchers and Extension specialists to connect with a wide audience of producers, Extension personnel, colleagues, and industry partners. This presentation in the thematic session on “Understanding the role of social media and digital resources in forage education and promotion” will focus on the role digital resources play in forage education.


The Nutritional Dynamic Is Key For Use Optimal Forage And Increase Of Meat Production, Bernal-Flores Alvaro, E. A. Pizarro, Quero Carillo Raymundo, Pérez Rodríguez Paulino Feb 2024

The Nutritional Dynamic Is Key For Use Optimal Forage And Increase Of Meat Production, Bernal-Flores Alvaro, E. A. Pizarro, Quero Carillo Raymundo, Pérez Rodríguez Paulino

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The nutritional content grass could be considered a key tool to determine the optimal forage use, based on the requirements of the cattle to maximize production and achieve a highly productive and profitable livestock. The degradation protein complex associated with autophagy plant determines to a great extent the protein content of the grass over time, being priority found the value nutritional required for the livestock for intensification the animal production. The crude protein requirements (CP, 13.5%) to cover nutritional needs in cattle, was established between 28±1 y 30±1 for the dry period and wet period respectively in Camello® hybrid grass. …


Regenera+.Uy: Designing A Co-Innovation Process To Apply The Principles Of Regenerative Livestock Production, Oscar Blumetto, M. Bustamante, A. Castagna, D. Caresani, G. Ciappesoni, R. Baptista, I. De Barbieri Feb 2024

Regenera+.Uy: Designing A Co-Innovation Process To Apply The Principles Of Regenerative Livestock Production, Oscar Blumetto, M. Bustamante, A. Castagna, D. Caresani, G. Ciappesoni, R. Baptista, I. De Barbieri

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Consumers around the world are beginning to demand products whose production systems have environmental guarantees. Among them, those derived from regenerative agriculture have a growing demand in many markets. A comprehensive environmental assessment was carried out in 9 case studies of mixed livestock production farms (cattle and sheep) in Uruguay as a basis for the development of a system redesign process following the principles of regenerative agriculture. The results show that emission intensity was 16.0, 10.5, and 49.2 kg CO2 eq kg-1 of beef, sheep meat, and greasy wool, respectively. Also, a simulation exercise shows a significative reduction of emission …


Estimating Forage Biomass Using Unmanned Ground And Aerial Vehicles, B. A. Koc, J. Singh, M. J. Aguerre, Feb 2024

Estimating Forage Biomass Using Unmanned Ground And Aerial Vehicles, B. A. Koc, J. Singh, M. J. Aguerre,

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The assessment of the amount of biomass in the field is one of the critical factors that helps to manage and optimize numerous operations associated with forage management in the livestock industry. Pasture management decisions about stocking rate, grazing duration, and fertilizer application rate depend on accurate forage availability measurements. The objective of this study was to develop different nondestructive methods of forage biomass estimation using unmanned vehicles based on the relationship between crop height (CH) and the measured above-ground biomass. The unmanned vehicle-based methods were developed and tested on Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) and Tall Fescue (Schedonorus …


Genetic Modification – Applications For Forage And Grassland Production Systems, J. R. Caradus Feb 2024

Genetic Modification – Applications For Forage And Grassland Production Systems, J. R. Caradus

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Genetic modification has been extensively used in crops for 25 years but has rarely been a technology used to advance trait expression in forage and grassland species. The exceptions are the use of herbicide tolerance and low lignin traits in alfalfa which are currently commercially available. In crop species genetic modification has been a valuable option for delivering improved economic and environmental outcomes through providing solutions for many of the challenges facing mankind. There are a many beneficial characteristics that genetic modification has the potential to provide in forage and grassland species. Managing these in the environment and understanding consumer …


A Framework For Promoting Diverse Perennial Circular Forage Systems For More Resilient Agricultural Landscapes: Developing Extension And Educational Tools For Resilience And Sustainability, Cassida K. A., W. Lamp, S. Gruss Feb 2024

A Framework For Promoting Diverse Perennial Circular Forage Systems For More Resilient Agricultural Landscapes: Developing Extension And Educational Tools For Resilience And Sustainability, Cassida K. A., W. Lamp, S. Gruss

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The Resilience CAP Team seeks to use diverse, perennial, circular forage systems (DPCFS) to enhance biodiversity, improve soil and plant health, support ecosystem service, all towards achieving greater resilience to global change and improving the farm economy and quality of life. Our project will design a transdisciplinary framework that combines agronomic, ecological, economic, and sociological factors to achieve greater resilience and stability in agricultural systems through use of DPCFS. In this paper, we describe two of the project’s six objectives. Objective 5 is our extension/outreach arm where we will develop extension media, activities, and actionable decision tools to communicate concepts …


Convalescing Soil Functionality Of Degraded Lands: An Experience From Semi-Arid India, A. Chandra, H. Baradwal, A. Ghosh, A. K. Singh, S. S. Manjangouda Feb 2024

Convalescing Soil Functionality Of Degraded Lands: An Experience From Semi-Arid India, A. Chandra, H. Baradwal, A. Ghosh, A. K. Singh, S. S. Manjangouda

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Land loss is not only whittling away India’s gross domestic product by 2.5% every year and affecting its crop yield but also exacerbating climate change events in the country. To test applicability of alternate land use systems for improving soil functionality in restored ecologies, soils were sampled from the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm layers of Leucaena leucocephala (LL), Hardwickia binata (HB), Emblica officinalis (EO), Azadiracta indica (AI) based silviculture systems, Acacia nilotica-based silvipasture systems (AN), and natural grassland (NG) and compared with a fallow land (F). They were evaluated for carbon management index (CMI), nutrient supply capacity (NSC), …


Stoloniferous Forage Legumes For Sustainable Mixed Pastures In The Tropics, R. M. Boddey, C De P Rezende, J. Marques Pereira, C. A. Dos Santos, Animal Husbandry Station Of The Extreme South Of Bahia, Brazil, I. O. Ramalho, R. M. Macedo, B. C. G. Homem, D. R. Casagrande, S. Urquiaga, B. J. R. Alves Feb 2024

Stoloniferous Forage Legumes For Sustainable Mixed Pastures In The Tropics, R. M. Boddey, C De P Rezende, J. Marques Pereira, C. A. Dos Santos, Animal Husbandry Station Of The Extreme South Of Bahia, Brazil, I. O. Ramalho, R. M. Macedo, B. C. G. Homem, D. R. Casagrande, S. Urquiaga, B. J. R. Alves

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Brazil has over 80 million ha of tropical pastures formed with species of Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa), mostly grazed by beef cattle and with low fertilizer inputs, especially nitrogen. Recent investigations by our team show that stoloniferous legumes such as forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) and Desmodium ovalifolium are able to persist in mixed swards with Brachiaria brizantha (cv. Marandu) if grazing height is regulated (maximum 30 cm) so that radiation can reach the soil surface allowing stolons to take root. These legumes can persist in mixed pastures and produce milk or animal weight gains similar to the application …


Ecosystem Benefits Of Invasive Annual Grass Removal, S. L. Clark Feb 2024

Ecosystem Benefits Of Invasive Annual Grass Removal, S. L. Clark

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Invasive winter annual grasses (IAGs) are altering rangeland ecosystems across millions of hectares in the western US. These winter annuals outcompete native plants for soil moisture and nutrients, leading to devastating impacts on ecosystem functions. The IAG seedbank is short-lived and often does not persist beyond 3 years. Past tools for IAG control have only provided short-term control or caused injury to the native plant community, making it difficult for researchers to assess the ecosystem benefits of IAG removal. A newer herbicide option, indaziflam, provides IAG control for three or more years. Indaziflam’s extended soil residual control and tolerance of …


Exploring Profitable, Sustainable Livestock Businesses In An Increasingly Variable Climate, B. R. Cullen, M. T. Harrison, D. Mayberry, D. Cobon, N. Reichelt, A. Sinnet, Km Christie, F. Bilotto, D-A An-Vo, C. Stokes, L. Perry, T. Davison Feb 2024

Exploring Profitable, Sustainable Livestock Businesses In An Increasingly Variable Climate, B. R. Cullen, M. T. Harrison, D. Mayberry, D. Cobon, N. Reichelt, A. Sinnet, Km Christie, F. Bilotto, D-A An-Vo, C. Stokes, L. Perry, T. Davison

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Livestock production systems will need to change in many regions of the world to meet the dual challenges of adaptation to a changing climate and reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ‘Nexus project’ is exploring these options using seven case studies in eastern Australia spanning a range of production systems from semi-arid beef production in northern Australia to mixed beef and sheep production in cool temperate climates of southern Australia. Regional reference groups, made up of 4-6 local farmers and advisers, identified a series of farm systems changes that could be made to meet these challenges. Options were categorised …


Curbing Crop Farmers And Herders Clashes In Nigeria: The Ranching Option, T. T. Akpensuen, M. B. Foreman Feb 2024

Curbing Crop Farmers And Herders Clashes In Nigeria: The Ranching Option, T. T. Akpensuen, M. B. Foreman

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Nigeria is a West African country with a huge population and over 70% of the population are peasant and subsistence farmers scattered in rural areas. Due to a decrease in arable and grazing lands, there are clashes between crop farmers and herders which have increased significantly in the last two decades. Some of the causes of the clashes include the destruction of crops by cattle, contamination of drinking water sources, sexual harassment of women by herders, animal rustling and killings, impunity and ineffective governance security agencies, tremendous increase in population, urbanization, desertification, industrialisation, insurgency, banditry, ethnic and religious inclination, effects …


Public Policies For The Development Of A Sustainable, Forage-Based Cattle Sector In Colombia, Argentina, And Costa Rica: A Comparative Analysis, S. Burkart, M. Diaz, Moreno Lerma Feb 2024

Public Policies For The Development Of A Sustainable, Forage-Based Cattle Sector In Colombia, Argentina, And Costa Rica: A Comparative Analysis, S. Burkart, M. Diaz, Moreno Lerma

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Projected increases in global food demand highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the major future food suppliers, particularly regarding animal-source foods such as beef or milk. Despite the importance of the cattle sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts are numerous and the shift towards sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims to identify achievements and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for a sustainable cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica, for which policies focused on the use of silvo-pastoral systems and forage-based solutions are prioritized. Based on the review …


Grasslands, Rangelands, Pastoralists – What Do We Mean?, D. M. Kelly, Ann Waters-Bayer, K. L. Johnson, Maryam Niamir-Fuller, Chris Magero, Tungalag Ulambayer Feb 2024

Grasslands, Rangelands, Pastoralists – What Do We Mean?, D. M. Kelly, Ann Waters-Bayer, K. L. Johnson, Maryam Niamir-Fuller, Chris Magero, Tungalag Ulambayer

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The terms grasslands and rangelands are often confused, but the terms used to describe the people who live and manage these areas are even more confusing. The myriad of words used about these people includes: pastoralists, farmers, ranchers, herders, transhumants, indigenous peoples, nomads, graziers, gauchos. The terms used vary across the world, and meanings vary across time and space. One definition of pastoralists is “livestock-keepers who specialise in taking advantage of variability, managing grazing itineraries at a variety of scales so that livestock feed better than without a herder” (Krätli 2019). The United Nations Decade of Family Farming defines farmers …


Barriers/Drivers Of Diverse Perennial Systems: Policy Recommendations, M. L. Krome, A. S. Finan, J. Obudzinski, N. Serrano Feb 2024

Barriers/Drivers Of Diverse Perennial Systems: Policy Recommendations, M. L. Krome, A. S. Finan, J. Obudzinski, N. Serrano

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Despite growing documentation of perennial- and grass-based systems’ importance in addressing many ecological, infrastructural, farmer profitability, and climate concerns, these systems do not predominate on most United States farm and ranch lands. To better understand what impedes their wider adoption, we undertook four focus groups of diverse current and potential farmers using perennial systems. We were especially interested in how these farmers access, or don’t, insurance, credit, and federal programs, identifying patterns among farmers embracing more sustainable practices. Our virtual focus groups comprised 16 farmers in ten states, transecting climate zones and representing both rural and urban production systems and …


A New Soil Erosion Model For Alpine Meadow In The Source Park Of The Yellow River, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, Huilong Lin, Rong Tang Feb 2024

A New Soil Erosion Model For Alpine Meadow In The Source Park Of The Yellow River, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, Huilong Lin, Rong Tang

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The source park of the Yellow River (SPYR), as a vital ecological shelter, is suffering different degrees of degradation and desertification, resulting in soil erosion in recent decades. It is urgent to find a soil erosion model suitable for the SPYR to grasp the amount and spatial distribution pattern of soil erosion, and to provide data support for soil erosion zoning and grading management. Base on largescale systematic sampling, 521 measured soil 137Cs data and environmental variables affecting soil erosion were used to verify the applicability of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation …


Applying The Concepts Of Animal Husbandry To Human Health, John Madany Feb 2024

Applying The Concepts Of Animal Husbandry To Human Health, John Madany

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Instead of a new paradigm, we need to modify an old paradigm. We must focus on restoring soil health and reviving human health. Ruminants can be used to heal the land and the people. Pastoralists, by managing ruminants, can preserve their own health while promoting soil health.


Challenges Of Grassland Policies Implementation In Kenya And The Sustainable Development Goals, N. Daari Feb 2024

Challenges Of Grassland Policies Implementation In Kenya And The Sustainable Development Goals, N. Daari

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Since independence, Kenya has found herself at the crossroads caused by economic recession, criminality, corruption and ineptitude leadership that has led to persistent household extreme poverty. It is time now to search for solutions to address the challenges facing sustainable livelihood development in Kenya. This study, therefore examines the challenges of grasslands related policies and their implementation in Kenya and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A review study of the literature on grasslands and rangelands related policies and laws, SDGs frameworks, government and academic literature was carried out. The study results show that; Kenya has faced challenges of grasslands policies …


Below Ground Benefits Of Cactus Opuntia Stricta Under Rangeland Conditions In Laikipia, Kenya, K. T. Oduor, Jose C. B. Dubeux, W. O. Owino, M. Ruiz-Moreno, L. M. D. Queiroz, I. L. Bretas Feb 2024

Below Ground Benefits Of Cactus Opuntia Stricta Under Rangeland Conditions In Laikipia, Kenya, K. T. Oduor, Jose C. B. Dubeux, W. O. Owino, M. Ruiz-Moreno, L. M. D. Queiroz, I. L. Bretas

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring …


Applying The Transdisciplinary Adaptive Systemic Approach To Securing The Long-Term Future Of Grassland Ecosystems, C. G. Palmer, Z. W. Tessema, A. Bantider, B. Gusha, J. Tanner Feb 2024

Applying The Transdisciplinary Adaptive Systemic Approach To Securing The Long-Term Future Of Grassland Ecosystems, C. G. Palmer, Z. W. Tessema, A. Bantider, B. Gusha, J. Tanner

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Contemporary grasslands all exist as complex adaptive systems, specifically complex social-ecological systems – whether these are in protected areas or are part of private or communal agricultural landscapes. These systems are subject to the current planetary condition that includes rapidly growing human populations and demand for natural resources, the widespread use of pollutants, and climate change consequences. All complex adaptive systems have characteristics in common - they comprise multiple elements, which interact, and the multiple interactions cause intersecting feedback loops. As a result, a current system condition reflects its history, future condition is difficult to predict, and interventions have unpredictable …