Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands
Communally owned rangelands serve as critical grazing areas for mixed livestock species such as cattle and goats, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition and woody species composition of communal rangelands where cat...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Land |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1945 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850068727374020608 |
|---|---|
| author | Mhlangabezi Slayi Ishmael Festus Jaja |
| author_facet | Mhlangabezi Slayi Ishmael Festus Jaja |
| author_sort | Mhlangabezi Slayi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Communally owned rangelands serve as critical grazing areas for mixed livestock species such as cattle and goats, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition and woody species composition of communal rangelands where cattle and goat flocks graze together and to investigate the influence of grazing intensity on vegetation dynamics. Vegetation surveys were conducted across varying grazing intensities to assess species richness, biomass, and dietary preferences, while soil properties were analyzed to determine their interaction with vegetation attributes. Stepwise regression and path analyses were used to explore the relationships between soil characteristics, vegetation structure, and livestock dietary choices. The results revealed that high grazing pressure significantly reduced grass biomass (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and woody species density (<i>p</i> = 0.007) while increasing shrub cover (<i>p</i> = 0.018). Nutritional analysis indicated that goats preferred woody shrubs, which contributed 42.1% of their diet compared to 27.8% for cattle (<i>p</i> = 0.008). Regression analysis further showed that soil organic carbon (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and tree height (<i>p</i> = 0.041) were strong predictors of shrub cover. Seasonal variation significantly affected forage availability and nutritional content, with higher crude protein levels recorded during the wet season (<i>p</i> = 0.007). These findings suggest that grazing management strategies should be tailored to the distinct forage needs of cattle and goats to maintain the productivity and ecological stability of communal rangelands. A holistic approach that considers livestock dietary preferences, vegetation composition, and soil health is essential for sustainable rangeland management in mixed-species grazing systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e41678c4297c44ccadf6657d0aee101d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-e41678c4297c44ccadf6657d0aee101d2025-08-20T02:47:59ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-11-011311194510.3390/land13111945Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal RangelandsMhlangabezi Slayi0Ishmael Festus Jaja1Centre for Global Change (CGC), Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South AfricaDepartment of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South AfricaCommunally owned rangelands serve as critical grazing areas for mixed livestock species such as cattle and goats, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition and woody species composition of communal rangelands where cattle and goat flocks graze together and to investigate the influence of grazing intensity on vegetation dynamics. Vegetation surveys were conducted across varying grazing intensities to assess species richness, biomass, and dietary preferences, while soil properties were analyzed to determine their interaction with vegetation attributes. Stepwise regression and path analyses were used to explore the relationships between soil characteristics, vegetation structure, and livestock dietary choices. The results revealed that high grazing pressure significantly reduced grass biomass (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and woody species density (<i>p</i> = 0.007) while increasing shrub cover (<i>p</i> = 0.018). Nutritional analysis indicated that goats preferred woody shrubs, which contributed 42.1% of their diet compared to 27.8% for cattle (<i>p</i> = 0.008). Regression analysis further showed that soil organic carbon (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and tree height (<i>p</i> = 0.041) were strong predictors of shrub cover. Seasonal variation significantly affected forage availability and nutritional content, with higher crude protein levels recorded during the wet season (<i>p</i> = 0.007). These findings suggest that grazing management strategies should be tailored to the distinct forage needs of cattle and goats to maintain the productivity and ecological stability of communal rangelands. A holistic approach that considers livestock dietary preferences, vegetation composition, and soil health is essential for sustainable rangeland management in mixed-species grazing systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1945forage selectionco-grazinggoatsruminant nutritioncommunal farmingbush encroachment |
| spellingShingle | Mhlangabezi Slayi Ishmael Festus Jaja Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands Land forage selection co-grazing goats ruminant nutrition communal farming bush encroachment |
| title | Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands |
| title_full | Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands |
| title_short | Integrating Mixed Livestock Systems to Optimize Forage Utilization and Modify Woody Species Composition in Semi-Arid Communal Rangelands |
| title_sort | integrating mixed livestock systems to optimize forage utilization and modify woody species composition in semi arid communal rangelands |
| topic | forage selection co-grazing goats ruminant nutrition communal farming bush encroachment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1945 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mhlangabezislayi integratingmixedlivestocksystemstooptimizeforageutilizationandmodifywoodyspeciescompositioninsemiaridcommunalrangelands AT ishmaelfestusjaja integratingmixedlivestocksystemstooptimizeforageutilizationandmodifywoodyspeciescompositioninsemiaridcommunalrangelands |