Integrated management of natural forage resources and cattle rearing in the Guinean low altitude savanna
1995
Lecomte, P.
In extensive cattle rearing in the Guinean low altitude savanna, poor knowledge or appreciation of the plant communities, disturbs the natural equilibrium of vegetation. A carefully designed land management programme and the establishment of indicators to monitor any changes are crucial for ensuring production capacity. Given the fluctuations in carrying capacities over time and space, the sheer size of the grazing areas and the amount of livestock, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is undoubtely an invaluable tool. The study of two ranch type stock farms, one in Togo, other in Zaire, suggests the integration into a GIS of a set of field indicators defined for a typical savanna of the area in question. These indicators take into account the seasons, data on the climate, the natural environment, the productivity and the nutritional value of vegetation, and the risk of its degradation, as well as the growth of cattle adapted to the environment and the prevailing feeding conditions. To conclude this research, a tentative seasonal feed balance sheet presented for different types of vegetation and a plan integrating data and field indicators into a Geographic Information System stress the interest and relevance of a global process towards a rational management of space and rearing methods in the Guinean zone.
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