The role of domestic livestock in desertification control


Table of contents

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Based on the work of the FAO Consultant Dr. Donald L. Huss

SERIES: ARID AND SEMI-ARID ZONES N° 2/ING

Published in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme

THE CONSULTANT

Dr. Donald L. Huss was an Assistant Professor of Range Management at Texas A&M University before joining FAO in 1967. He served on field projects in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil before becoming Regional Range Management and Fodder Crop Officer for the FAO Near East Region. He later served as the Regional Animal Production Officer for the FAO Latin America and the Caribbean Region until his retirement in 1987. He is a recipient of the Society for Range Management's Outstanding Achievement and Service Award and Fellow Award.


Contents


Introduction
Livestock in support of people

Ruminant products, services and values

The rangeland resource and its importance
Desertification and its causes
The desertification process on rangelands and its reversal

The Rangeland ecosystem
Decomposers and microconsumers

Degree of utilization and livestock production
Range condition as related to desertification and livestock production

Range condition and sites as related to grazing capacity and animal production

Influence of grazing and vegetation on water yields and erosion
Practices for controlling desertification and improving livestock production

Grazing systems
Common use
Supplemental pastures

A look at the future
Summary and conclusions
Recommendations
References
Annex I
Annex II