Abstract. Smallholder farming systems in southern Africa are characterized by low-input management and integrated livestock crop production. Low yields dry-season feed shortages common. To meet growing food demands, sustainable intensification (SI) of these is an important policy goal. While mixed crop–livestock may offer greater productivity, it implies trade-offs between supply, soil nutrient...

in order to estimate the relationship between forage quality and preference value of plant species for raini goats(capra aegagrus hircus), a field study was carried out on raini goats’ grazing behavior in some desert habitats.crude protein (as the most important factor affecting forage quality) of all plant species was measured at twophenological stages (spring and summer, 2010) in the dry rang...

the “Three-River Headwaters” region (TRHR) rangeland ecosystem is extremely sensitive and fragile, and in recent years has undergone continuous degradation. The vast area and severe nature conditions inhibit data acquisition and field experiments, resulting in different understandings about the spatial characteristics and dynamics of rangeland degradation in the region. Therefore, reliable moni...

spp.) showed that forage DM intake was positively correlated with N fertilization rate. Fertilization may also Because native, shortgrass prairies are not typically fertilized and increase forage preference by livestock. Cook and Jeffotherwise extensively managed, little information is available on their response to nitrogen (N) fertilization. An experiment was conducted eries (1963) showed tha...

Contemporary Australian rangeland management is characterised by concurrent processes of a continuing intensification of land management practices and simplification of landscape ecological processes. This dual characteristic is associated with increasing levels of potential conflict between land management practices that promote improved economic performance of rangeland enterprises at the app...

Support for range management interventions by the World Bank and other international development institutions has a somewhat checkered history. In certain respects, this has mirrored theoretical developments and shifts in thinking among rangeland professionals, but the relationship between rangeland science and development policy and practice is far from direct. It is mediated by contextual fac...

assessment of soil quality is one of the most useful tools for evaluation the soil management condition and different land uses. quantity indices of soil quality are most suitable methods for determination and comparison of soils quality. in this study soil quality indices and selection methods of effective soil properties were compared for evaluating the soil quality in different land uses. se...

In order to describe grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) species composition, diversity, abundance, and density of four rangelands types, we compared the grasshopper community composition and dynamics in the rangeland of the northern slopes of the Qilian Mountains. In total, 55 grasshopper species were collected from 2007 to 2009, representing three families and six subfamilies. The subfamily O...