Herder knowledge of landscape scale biodiversity monitoring in Marsabit central, northern Kenya

Abstract

Participatory methods of biodiversity monitoring in the rangelands have hardly been captured. Generally, disagreements exist on what indicators to be used and how the generated data can be linked to management related information and whether the methods can be replicated in different settings. This study explored Booran herders’ knowledge of biodiversity monitoring at landscape scale in the rangeland of Marsabit central, northern Kenya. In a joint survey with local herders, study area was classified into landscape units and biodiversity indicators used by the herders were identified and used in the range assessments. The herders identified ecological indicators of biodiversity such as key plants species preferred by livestock and anthropogenic indicators such as landscape grazing suitability and landscape grazing potential to make management decisions. The herders used historical knowledge to evaluate changes in the composition of key plant species preferred by livestock. Landscape grazing suitability was generally gauged from livestock productivity performance while landscape grazing potential measured ability of range to recover after current use. The positive correlation between landscape grazing suitability and landscape grazing potential indicated that the herders used them in combination to assess rangelands. The herders’ knowledge of monitoring both ecological and anthropogenic indicators at landscape was related to rangeland ecological heterogeneity. Environmental factors such soil type, topography and grazing pressure created rangeland ecological variability and influenced spatial distribution of vegetation. The herders’ knowledge of landscape classification and system of land use reflected understanding of ecological variations of range ecosystem. The study concludes that pastoral herders have vast knowledge of environmental monitoring which ecologists should integrate with ecological methods to monitor environmental change.