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Mapinduzi, A.L.; Oba, G.; Weladji, R.B.; Colman, J.E.
Use of indigenous ecological knowledge of the Maasai pastoralists for assessing rangeland biodiversity in Tanzania
2003  African Journal of Ecology (41): 329-336

This paper incorporates the indigenous ecological knowledge of the Maasai pastoralists and ecological methods to assess effects of grazing and cropping on rangeland biodiversity at macro- and micro- landscape scales in northern Tanzania. The joint surveys with pastoralists identified indicator plant species and their associations with micro-landscapes and livestock grazing suitability while traditional calf-pasture reserves were evaluated for preservation of rangeland biodiversity. The macro-landscapes comprising the cool high plateau and mountain forest highland were included in the survey. At micro.-landscape scales, the osupuko was classified into uplands and dry valley bottomlands. The micro-landscapes were assessed in terms of herbaceous plant species and woody species richness and risks of soil erosion. Biodiversity varied at both the macro- and micro-landscape scales and in accordance with the land-use types. greater plant species diversity and less erosion risks were found in the pastoral landscapes than in thee agro-pastoral landscapes. The calf-grazing pastures had greater herbaceous species richness than the non-calf pastures, which in turn had more woody species. The study concludes that the indigenous systems of landscape classification provides a valuable basis for assessing rangeland biodiversity, which ecologists should incorporate into ecological surveys of the rangelands in East Africa in the future.

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