Akasbi, Z; Oldeland, J; Dengler, J; Finkh, M: Social and ecological constraints for decision making by transhumant pastoralists: a case study from the Moroccan Atlas Mountains., Journal of Mountain Science, 9, 307–321 (2012), doi:10.1007/s11629-009-2320-8
Key words: Ait Mgoun; Ait Zekri; Ait Toumert; ARGOS; Goat grazing; High Atlas; Jebel Saghro; Migration pattern; Rangeland; Small ruminant; Transhumance
Abstract:
Transhumant pastoralism is an important activity in southern Morocco. Migration pattern of transhumant pastoralists can be affected by physical factors (e.g. droughts and diseases) or socioeconomic factors (e.g. schooling options for children and migration costs). We studied the spatio-temporal rangeland usage of the three tribes Ait Mgoun, Ait Zekri, and Ait Toumert in the south-central Atlas region with a two-fold approach. First, we tracked the migration movements of one representative transhumant herd using the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) collars, which record coordinates from satellite signals. Second, we interviewed herders to obtain information about general grazing practices of the respective tribe and to gain more direct information on motivations underlying decisions. For each tribe we observed small-, medium- and large-scale movements. We found that the most important drivers of migration decisions were seasonal fodder availability and weather conditions in combination with herd-specific risk and cost assessment, as well as personal factors. In conclusion, general migration patterns vary in time, both between and within the tribes, but according to a regulatory framework. Moreover, it appears that both the customary rules and its flexible adaptation to physical constraints are generally beneficial in terms of conservation of the arid and semiarid rangeland resources.
Upcoming ...


BayCEER Colloquium:
Th. 2024-04-25
Perspectives and challenges in the restoration and conservation of two isolated habitats: gypsum and cliffs
BayCEER Short Courses:
We. 2024-04-24
Mobile Film Making Workshop (for PhDs/PostDosc/Profs of BayCEER)
Fr. 2024-04-26
Mobile Film Making Workshop (for students of BayCEER)
Ecological-Botanical Garden:
Fr. 2024-04-19 now
Führung | Gesteine im Ökologisch-Botanischen Garten
Su. 2024-04-21
Führung | Den ÖBG kennenlernen: Allgemeine Gartenführung
Weather research site
Luftdruck (356m): 962.4 hPa
Lufttemperatur: 5.0 °C
Niederschlag: 11.3 mm/24h
Sonnenschein: <1 h/d

...more
Lufttemperatur: 1.4 °C
Niederschlag: 10.4 mm/24h

...more
This site makes use of cookies More information