Dzud is the Mongolian term for a winter weather disaster in which deep snow, severe cold, or other conditions render forage unavailable or inaccessible and lead to high livestock mortality. Dzud is a regular occurrence in Mongolia, and plays an important role in regulating livestock populations. However, dzud, especially when combined with other environmental or socio-economic stresses and changes, can have a significant impact on household well-being as well as local and national economies.

Cattle are one of the main instruments for economic (e.g., milk, meat, and cattle sale) and social (e.g., marriage, death, dispute settlement, and gift giving) exchange in Uganda. They serve as the main source of livelihood for a large majority of rural Ugandans, especially in the cattle corridor. Recent statistics demonstrate that the livestock sector contributes 13.1 percent of the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and 5 percent of the national GDP.

The purpose of this report is to examine development trends in the Southern Gobi Region (SGR) as they affect livestock and wildlife. It provides an overview of the environment and natural resources of the region, discusses existing relationships and interactions among humans, livestock, large herbivore wildlife, and the natural resources on which they are dependent. It then explores the impact that economic development of the region is likely to have if that development does not consider the needs of the current users.

This information brief describes the importance of dryland agricultural biodiversity, outlines the threats facing it, and points to the key role that local people play in conserving it.

This report reflects the summary of baseline findings in Malawi, under the auspices of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) Adaptation Programme in Africa. It identifies gaps in climate information access and use at the local level, types of climate services farmers and pastoralists need in Malawi, relevant channels to reach farmers with requested services, lead-time and gender-specific requirements for the design and delivery of climate services that matter to farmers.

Presents findings and proposals of a team which studied the pastoral zone of Niger to forumlate a development programme, describing the existing production systems and constraints related to range resources, nutrition, water points and diseases.

Reviews various approaches and techniques used in a number of sub-Saharan African countries to collect and analyze data on large-scale ecological changes with particular reference to remote sensing and monitoring techniques in resource inventory; suggests ways to build more effective data bases.

Examines the consequences for cattle husbandry of livestock-crop integration as practiced in an agropastoral production system in the sub-humid zone of Nigeria - based on a study of herding practices and cattle grazing behaviour.

Presents results of a study of grazing behaviour and forage resources utilisation by herded cattle belonging to agropastoralists at Abet & Kurmin Biri in the subhumid zone of Nigeria as well time spent on walking, resting & watering. Subdivides grazing activities into natural range grazing, browsing, grazing of crop residues and of burnt areas.

Abstract not available.

Many studies were conducted to identify determinants of adoption of crop base technologies and practices and improved seeds, and while few studies concerned on evaluation of extension services in terms of the clients’ need and interest or adoption of livestock technologies in agropastoral and pastoral context In fact, livestock extension services in general in developing countries are less prioritized and thus livestock based technology services are rarely extended Common livestock technologies which are promoted to livestock raisers are focused on feed, veterinary services, and improved ma