Management of rangeland in the area affected by the Tatki bore-hole: relationship between vegetation, level of exploitation and transhumance

Abstract

A study was made of rangeland use by nomadic tribesmen in the area around the Tatki bore-hole in Senegal during the dry season from Oct. 1989 to July 1990. The dominant pasture species were Schoenefeldia gracilis and Aristida mutabilis. Other species present in localized areas were Cenchrus biflorus, Eragrostis tremula, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Alysicarpus ovalifolius, Zornia glochidiata and Tephrosia purpurea. Pasture use was greater close to the bore-hole, but was not affected by biomass availability. Use was greater in areas with a high proportion of legumes. The effects on the movements of the nomads of biomass availability, botanical composition of the forage and level of use were studied, and the limitations of these data for creating a model of rangeland use and nomadic movement are discussed. (CAB Abstracts)