Abstract

Rangeland productivity in semi-arid areas is adversely affected by increased variability in precipitation and frequency of droughts, coupled by increased livestock numbers. Knowledge on key rangeland resources that have capacity to increase resilience of livestock based rural livelihoods is critical for ensuring their sustainability. In this study, we identified key browse species used by livestock during the dry season, and determined their multiple uses in a semi-arid rangeland of Zimbabwe. Random sampling was used to select 138 respondents for participating in individual qualitative questionnaires, and seven key informants for a focus group discussion. The Cultural Significance Index was calculated to determine the importance of the key browse species identified. An index to determine risk associated with competitive use of key browse species based on individual species uses and relative abundance as an indicator for species sustainability was also introduced. Twenty-eight key species used as browse by livestock and wildlife, and for ethnoveterinary and human medicines were identified. Species that were common to all uses constituted 25% (n = 7) of the total. No species (n = 0) had a single purpose only or, were used for both medicines and firewood/timber. Therefore, screening key browse species facilitates their sustainability.

Details

Title
Screening key browse species in a semi-arid rangeland
Author
Mudzengi, Clarice P 1 ; Amon Murwira 2 ; Zengeya, Fadzai M 2 ; Murungweni, Chrispen 3 

 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, P. O Box MP 167 Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Research and Specialist Services, Division of Livestock Research, Grasslands Research Institute, P. Bag 3701, Marondera, Zimbabwe 
 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, P. O Box MP 167 Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe 
 School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Department of Animal Production and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Pvt. Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe 
Publication year
2017
Publication date
Dec 2017
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
23311932
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1994425280
Copyright
© 2017 The Author(s). This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.