Academic literature on the topic 'Agro-pastoral activitie'

Rural communities in the Sub-Sahara African region have become focal points for climate adaptation especially in the agricultural sector. This is due to their significant involvement in agro-pastoral activities which constitute the lifeblood of most of the economies of this region, with about 85% of the indigenous populations relying on it for their survival. Both long and short term climatic oscillations have succeeded, and will continue to disrupt crop and livestock output thus signaling threats to food security. Although the communities have either consciously or unconsciously made use of some indigenous adaptation strategies, they are judged to be weak at the moment. This requires the designation of context-specific agro-pastoral adaptation frameworks. Using focus group discussions (FGDs) of 6 agro-pastoral groups (10 representatives each) in this region, complemented by content analysis, field surveys and the extensive review of literature on case studies for other SSA communities, we analyze current indigenous adaptation mechanisms in the agro-pastoral sector and attempt to construct an indigenous adaptation framework for rural agro-pastoral communities in Cameroon. Our analysis of data leads us to conclude that current adaptation measures rely mainly on crop diversification and mixed farming. Although these methods are good, the scale of operation and the degree of diversification is still low to climate-proof the agro-pastoral sector. Furthermore, these changes are introduced in the midst of poor farming practices such as slash and burn and related systems. Current indigenous adaptation strategies are weak and are correlated with income levels, level of farmers involvement in organizations, knowledge and perception. We recommend the effective engagement of agro-pastoral stakeholders as key in developing an adaptable framework, based on their knowledge of current adaptation strategies.

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 agro-pastoral 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 management practices through the extension services of agricultural/pastoral offices and livestock development units. The case hereunder, is about agro-pastoralists extension services evaluative perception and small ruminant fattening package adoption. Hence, this study investigates agro-pastoralists’ perception on the extension services, small ruminant fattening package and intensity of adoption of small ruminants’ fattening package. The study is undertaken in DugdaDawaWoreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The Woreda has agro-pastoral and pastoral production system. The data were collected from 151 randomly selected pastoralists and agro-pastoralists using structured interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from different sources to supplement the data obtained from the survey. In addition to quantitative data qualitative data also gathered. Prior to formal survey an informal survey was also undertaken by using group discussion and interview with key informants. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage mean, standard deviation, Chi-square tests and t-test were employed. The Tobit model was also employed to determine factors influencing intensity of small ruminant fattening package adoption. This study identifies agro-pastoralists and pastoralists are poorly addressed and their need and interests are not considered in any extension programmes. The Tobit model output showed that, agro-pastoralists intensity of adoption of small ruminant fattening package is influenced by: perception on the availability of improved breed, perception on resources based conflicts, current management practices, total livestock holding of HHs and credit use and availability for veterinary purposes. Future extension activities and agencies, promoting fattening package in agro-pastoral and pastoral areas, should focus on targeting agro-pastoralists with low perception on the availability of better breed, information and demonstration on the improved management practices, revision of credit supply criteria, making awareness and demonstration of the significant importance of small ruminants in the agro-pastoral and pastoral income and livelihoods contribution is important.

Agro-pastoralism involves the growing of crops and keeping of livestock as a livelihood strategy practiced by communities in rural areas in Africa and is highly dependent on environmental factors including rainfall, soil and vegetation. Agro-pastoral activities, e.g. livestock grazing and land clearing for crop cultivation, impact on environmental condition. This study evaluated the impacts of agro-pastoral activities on herbaceous plant species diversity and abundance in western Serengeti relative to conservation (protected) areas. A vegetation survey was conducted along the grazing gradients of ten 4 km transects from within village lands to protected areas. A total of 123 herbaceous species belonging to 20 families were identified. Higher herbaceous species diversity and richness were found in protected areas than in communal grazing lands. Similarly, the number of perennial herbaceous species was higher in the former than the latter, while occurrence of annuals was higher in the village areas. This observation indicates poor rangeland condition in village communal grazing lands as compared with protected areas. It is obvious that current agro-pastoral activities have contributed to a reduction in herbaceous species diversity in village lands in western Serengeti. However, the array of pasture species, especially desirable perennial species, still present in communal grazing areas, suggests that rejuvenation of these areas is possible. Resting of grazing land is recommended to reverse the trend towards diversity reduction and ensure future availability of feed resources for grazing animals in village lands.

Agro-pastoralism has been an important economic subsistence among diverse communities in the semi-arid climate and dry-deciduous ecology of the Deccan for the last four millennia. Recent research that looks at the entanglements of human-animal-environment relations in South Asian archaeology and history have highlighted the complex histories that prompt a reconsideration of the contexts within which political authority articulated in medieval India. This essay demonstrates the presence of non-elite agro-pastoral groups based on the evidence from my archaeological survey. I then present results from a limited study the Early Chalukya inscriptions to identify agro-pastoral activities. In addition, I employ limited architectural and iconographic analysis and argue that the non-Brahmanical religious affiliations of pastoral groups played a role in shaping the political and sacred landscapes of the Early Chalukya polity (ca. 550–750 ad) in the Deccan plateau of South India. A related aim in this essay is to highlight the productive engagement of archaeological investigations with ‘conventional’ history research. I suggest that the medieval period of Indian archaeology is a potent arena for such interdisciplinary research.

Saving is a crucial tool for enhancing the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, but due to a number of factors, its status and intensity are still in their infancy. Because of this, the current state of saving practices, their causes, and the size of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are all examined in this study. A multi-stage sampling process was used to determine the 600 typical selected households. In order to assess the data, a double hurdle model was used. From the descriptive analysis result, only 35% of pastoral and agro-pastoral groups were savers. In comparison to their counterparts, households who have access to credit, are financially literate, engage in non-farm activities, cultivate crops in addition to livestock husbandry, use informal financial institutions, are educated, and wealthier are more likely to be savers and eager to save a larger amount of property. Households with more livestock and who live far away from formal financial institutions, on the other hand, are less likely to be savers and save only a small fraction of their income. Male-headed families are more likely to participate in saving decisions, whereas female-headed households must save more than their male counterparts once they have opted to save. Instead of relying on ineffective monetary policy (changing interest rates), any concerned bodies should emphasize mixed farming practices, establish financial institutions nearby to improve saving habits, provide non-farm training, and empower women in order to close the gap between savers and non-savers and mobilize resources to save and invest. Furthermore, raise awareness of financial institutions’ products and services, as well as provide credit.

Climate change and its variability threaten food security globally, making life uncertain, especially among agro-pastoral communities living in fragile semi-arid areas. This trend has necessitated the exploration of the potential designed and developed pathways and the emerging challenges which reduce the adaptive capacity of agro-pastoralists. This study investigates innovative pathways and challenges facing agro-pastoral communities in adapting to climate change and variability effects on crops and livestock production in semiarid areas of Kiteto and Kilindi Districts. A mixed-method research approach under a correlation case study design was employed. Primary data were collected using a household survey which sampled 362 households, Focus Group Discussion (n=6), In-depth interviews (key informants) and field visits. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used in analysing and presenting the findings. The study results indicate that agro-pastoral communities have observed a decrease in rainfall and an increase in temperature trends that were linked to reduced livestock, cereals and pulses crop production thus affecting the agro- pastoral community’s food security status. The study identified innovative pathways as a response to reduced livestock, cereal and pulse crops production which includes growing drought-tolerant crops, practising intercropping, livestock seasonal mobility, traditional grazing management system through by-laws, pastures rotational uses and traditional water reservoirs (Mboutu). Furthermore, the study identified several challenges to overcoming declining livestock production and crop yields, which include inadequate financial capital (91%), droughts (85.4%), unpredicted weather patterns, (74.7%), emergency of new AJASSS Volume 4, Issue No. 1, 2022 page 20 livestock diseases (50.3%), a lack of reliable weather information (44.2%), low livestock prices(40%), insufficient and delayed delivery of agricultural equipment (37%). All these challenges reduced the resilience capacity of agropastoralists. To ensure the sustainability of fragile dryland communities, this study recommends purposeful institutional intervention plans and increased income diversification as well as more capacity-building activities for increased awareness of climate change adaptation practices in semiarid areas of Tanzania which will increase agro-pastoralists resilience.

Palaeoenvironmental data and vegetation histories derived from local datasets are examined in the light of Early Neolithic agro-pastoral activities and resource exploitation in the southeastern Adriatic Sea. Palynological evidence is summarized from three locations within the study area and compared to contemporaneous archaeological evidence. Coastal marine archaeological assemblages in the study area indicate that Early Neolithic inhabitants expended significant energy on terrestrial and marine hunting and gathering, and long distance maritime travel, well after the regional introduction of agro-pastoralism.

The article is an attempt to use the method of landmark and determinants in research on the typology of pastoral and agricultural landscapes in the area of the Beskids range the Western Carpathians. The paper analyzes the structure and form of economic activities in the mid-forest clearing, allowing to define mountain landscapes. The Beskids landscape due to the varied morphology, terrain cover and the Vlachs cultural element is considered to be particularly valuable in terms of landscape. The definition of the natural and cultural aspects of the Beskids landscapes made it possible to separate, in the type of rural landscapes – the pastoral subtype, the pastoral and agricultural landscape called as the agro-shepherd.

Large-scale ecological restoration (ER) projects have been implemented in northwest China in recent decades as a means to prevent desertification and improve ecosystem services. However, previous studies have demonstrated adverse impacts in the form of widespread soil water deficit caused by intensive ER activities. Understanding the role of climate change and ER efforts in vegetation dynamics and soil moisture consumption is essential for sustainable ecosystem management. Here, we used the break for additive season and trend (BFAST) method to analyse spatial patterns in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) variation over the agro-pastoral ecotone of northwest China (APENC) for 2000–2015. From the combined use of generalized additive modelling (GAM) and residual-trend analysis (RESTREND), we distinguished and quantified the effects of climate and human management on vegetation and soil water dynamics. Approximately 78% of the area showed vegetation variations representing a significant change in NDVI, of which more than 68% were categorized as abrupt changes. Large areas of the abrupt change type, interrupted increase and monotonic increase in NDVI were observed before 2006, and small areas of the change type of negative reversals were observed after 2012. Anthropogenic activity was found to be the major driving factor of variation in vegetation (contribution rate of 56%) and soil moisture (contribution rate of 78%). The vegetation expansion, which was mainly related to the large number of ER programs that started in 2000, was found to increase soil moisture depletion. By comparing areas where anthropogenic activities had a high contribution rate to vegetation increase and areas where soil moisture consumption was severely increased, we identify and discuss hotspot areas of soil moisture consumption caused by the ER programs. The current methodological workflow and results represent a novel foundation to inform and support water resource management and ecological-restoration-related policy making.

The decline of agro-pastoral activities has led to a widespread tree and shrub-encroachment of former semi-natural meso-eutrophic grasslands in many European mountain regions. Temporary night camp areas (TNCA) and mineral mix supplements for targeted cattle were arranged over shrub-encroached areas to restore grassland vegetation within the Val Troncea Natural Park (Italy). From 2011 to 2015, their effects on vegetation structure and pastoral value of forage were assessed along permanent transects. Four years after treatments, both practices were effective in reducing the shrub cover and increasing the cover and average height of the herbaceous layer, but changes were more remarkable within TNCA. Moreover, the arrangement of TNCA decreased the cover of nanophanerophytes and increased the cover of graminoids and high quality species, as well as the overall forage pastoral value. In conclusion, TNCA were the most effective pastoral practice to contrast shrub-encroachment and increase herbage mass and forage quality of sub-alpine grasslands.

European mountains have a long history of human presence and exploitation: during the last centuries, agro-pastoral activities determined a lowering of the treeline ecotone and shaped community composition of plants and animals, creating peculiar semi-natural habitats, on which high levels of biodiversity depend on. Currently, two contrasting phenomena are occurring in the rural areas: the abandonment of traditional farming systems in most of the areas and the overexploitation of some remaining pastures. We identified two different approaches to study these events by using insects as bio-indicators. The first one is multi-taxonomic approach, to assess the effects of grazing management on community composition and structure of macro-invertebrates at local scale. The second one is single species approach, the study of population dynamics, habitat preferences and dispersal ability of a target butterfly (included in Annex II of Habitats Directive) to define specific management plans designed for the species conservation. 1) In 2013, the Gran Paradiso National Park started a project in an overgrazed alpine pasture (2000 m a.s.l.), located on a steep stony slope, which was historically grazed but now improperly managed. Indeed, an excessive number of cattle and manure drain on the slope near to dairy barn, threaten ecological integrity of the area. To create an appropriate management plan for biodiversity conservation, a monitoring protocol has been developed to evaluate macro-invertebrates composition at different grazing levels. Four taxa were monitored (Coleoptera Scarabeidae, Coleoptera Carabidae, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera Rhopalocera) by means of semi-quantitative sampling techniques. At a local scale, we evaluated the taxa responses to different grazing pressures and we identified the most suitable indicator (functional) groups for the early detection of grazing impact. 2) Across its European range, the Euphydryas aurinia complex (Annex II of the Habitats Directive) includes a series of distinct populations. At least three taxa occur in Italy, each showing slight morphological differences and distinct eco-ethological features. All of them occupy habitats protected at European level (Habitat 6410, Molinia meadows; Habitat 6210, semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates; Habitat 4060, Alpine and boreal heaths), threatened by land use changes, which modify both structural and functional connectivity of habitat patches and the quality of the habitat itself. We collected data on adults flight by Mark Release and Recapture method in 15 patches for 2 populations, focusing on specimen density and distribution as a function of landscape and patches’ characteristics (topography and vegetation). We studied E. (a.) glaciegenita population in the mesophilous alpine grasslands (2000-2300 m) and E. (a.) provincialis in the mediterranean dry grasslands (700 m). As shown by results the two populations have different needs. For E. (a.) provincialis a wooded matrix is an unsuitable habitat. Nevertheless, the specimens aggregate in marginal areas of patches, near the edges where thermal conditions are probably more appropriate. The natural reforestation could increase mortality during inter-patch movements. The creation of corridors of suitable habitats between occupied patches and maintaining them by mowing, can definitely help the Mediterranean populations. Since E. (a.) glaciegenita is highly sedentary, changes in grassland management (e.g. increasing grazing regime) could seriously threaten this population, especially during the larval stage. The presence of a heterogeneous environment, also favoured by grazing, can surely support the Alpine populations at landscape, patch and microhabitat levels. The conservation of Alpine and Mediterranean populations may be a key to preserve all the members of the Euphydryas aurinia complex in Italy.

Dans le cadre du changement climatique global, mieux comprendre les interactions Hommes/Environnement/Climat au sud-ouest du Groenland est aujourd’hui un enjeu majeur pour développer des stratégies d’adaptation tout en préservant au mieux les écosystèmes. Pour cela, une approche rétrospective a été réalisée sur trois séquences lacustres retraçant l’histoire paléo-environnementale sur les 5000 derniers millénaires. Le lac d’Igaliku (N61°00’22’’, O45°26’28’’), situé à 2 km de la capitale épiscopale médiévale au cœur de la région agricole groenlandaise, a une sédimentation principalement influencée par les activités anthropiques. Un inventaire moléculaire complet a été réalisé sur cette séquence pour caractériser les dynamiques agropastorales passées et leurs impacts sur les écosystèmes. Les biomarqueurs fécaux identifié ont notamment permis de mettre en évidence deux phases agropastorales majeures (la période d’occupation viking et la période récente) séparées par le Petit Âge Glaciaire (PAG), pratiquant un élevage prédominant d’ovins. Les biomarqueurs moléculaires de végétation (n-alcanes, acétates de triterpényles) couplées à des données palynologiques montrent une réduction du couvert arbustif au cours de ces deux phases. Par ailleurs, les biomarqueurs d’érosion des sols (TTHCs) couplées aux données sédimentaires indiquent une érosion drastique qu’autour des années 1980 lors de la création de parcelles de fourrage par labour mécanisé. De même, ce n’est que sur le dernier siècle qu’une altération de l’état trophique du lac d’Igaliku associée à des pratiques de fertilisation des parcelles de fourrage est observée avec une augmentation des chaines courtes d’n-alcanes et plus particulièrement des diatomées mésotrophes. Les lacs de Qallimiut (N60°43’27’’, O45°23’12’’) et de Little Kangerluluup (N60°38’32’’, O45°38’11’’), situés en contexte faiblement anthropisé, sont alimentés par des tributaires à forte variabilité hydrologique. Ils correspondent à des systèmes sédimentaires dominés par des apports clastiques sous contrôle climatique dominant. Afin d’améliorer la résolution spatiale et temporelle des changements climatiques holocènes dans cette région, une étude sédimentaire multi-paramètre a été réalisée sur ces deux sites. Des analyses pétrophysiques, granulométriques, minéralogiques et géochimiques ont mis en évidence des niveaux de crues fréquents au cours des épisodes froids et humides comme la transition Milieu/Fin de l’Holocène (ca. 2500 BC), la transition Sub-boréal/Sub-atlantique (ca. 700 BC) et le PAG (entre ca. 1300 AD et ca. 1900 AD), synchrones à des périodes de minimas solaires. Ces épisodes de détériorations climatiques ont particulièrement influencé les sociétés humaines successives installées dès ca. 2500 BC au Groenland. Un maximum de fréquence de crues et une baisse drastique des températures sont notamment enregistrés pendant le PAG, indiquant qu’il s’agit de l’épisode le plus froid enregistré au sud du Groenland au cours de la seconde moitié de l’Holocène, responsable en grande partie de l’abandon de ces terres par les agriculteurs vikings au milieu du XVème siècle
In the current context of global change, understanding the interactions between Human/Environment/Climate is necessary to develop adaptive strategies and preserve ecosystems. A retrospective approach is therefore realized in three lacustrine cores to reconstruct the paleo-environmental history during the last five millennia. Lake Igaliku (N61°00’22’’, W45°26’28’’), located at 2km from the medieval episcopal cathedral in the historical farming center, has a sedimentation mainly driven by anthropogenic activities. A complete molecular inventory has been made on this sequence to characterize past agropastoral dynamics and their impacts on south Greenlandic ecosystems. The identified fecal biomarkers revealed two agropastoral phases, during the Norse settlement and recently, separated by the Little Ice Age (LIA) and mainly characterized by sheep breeding. Vegetation molecular biomarkers (n-alkanes, triterpenyl acetates) and palynological data showed a reduction of trees and shrubs cover during these two periods especially. Erosion biomarkers (TTHCs) and sedimentological data identified only one drastic erosion in the 1980s synchronous with the mechanized creation of fodder parcels. Moreover, an eutrophication of the lake waters was recorded with short chain length n-alkanes and mesotrophic diatoms. Lake Qallimiut (N60°43’27’’, W45°23’12’’) and Little Kangerluluup (N60°38’32’’, W45°38’11’’), less impacted by anthropogenic activities, are fed by major streams influenced by hydrological variations. Their sedimentation is therefore mainly driven by climate changes. To improve the temporal and spatial resolution of climate changes during the Holocene, a multi-proxy sedimentological study was made on these two sites. Petrophysical, mineralogical and geochemical analyses have identified flood events especially occurring during cooler and wetter periods such as the Middle to Late Holocene transition (ca. 2500 BC), the Sub-boreal/Sub-atlantic transition (ca. 700 BC) and the LIA (between ca. AD 1300 et ca. AD 1900). These climate pejorations have impacted local human societies. For example, during the LIA, a maximum of flood events and drop of temperatures are recorded, partly responsible of the Norse demise

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We start from the hypothesis that the land use model existent in Paraíso-GO creek and Cerrado/Cadunga-MG stream river basins has been providing significant changes in the water quality of these streams, which receive sediments and nutrients from natural and anthropic factors. In this sense, the general aim of this research is to diagnose the water quality in relation to the model of land use and physical characteristics of the basins. The methods used followed the procedures of the American Public Health Association (APHA), CONAMA legislation nº 357/2005 (surface water) and ordinance of the Ministry of Health 2914/2011 (drinking water). When comparing the geological aspects of the two basins, it was verified that they are differentiated by the presence of the unconsolidated sands in the upper part of the Paraíso creek. Regarding the soils, both are distinguished by the presence of Cambisols in the Paraíso creek, and are similar in relation to the presence of soils with hydromorphic characteristics. Studies of land use between 2005 and 2015 demonstrated the gradual disappearance of the Cerrado biome, mainly in the Cerrado/Cadunga river basin. The watershed region of the Paraíso creek presented greater erosive potential in formation areas of the Vale do Rio do Peixe, as well as the Cerrado/Cadunga stream. Heavy metals contents in those soils identified at different sampling points reveal occasional contamination, mainly related to land use. In general, the sediment results of Cerrado/Cadunga stream showed that the distribution of elements has as main contribution the urban area and the discharge of urban and industrial effluents in the drainage network, and for the soils, agro-pastoral activities. For the Paraíso creek basin, the greatest influence was linked to agricultural activities, especially sugarcane. Out of the heavy metals found in both basins analyzed, what demands greater attention, both in sediments and in soils, is cadmium. Regarding the framing of water bodies, it was verified that the Paraíso creek and the Cerrado/Cadunga stream were included in all the sampling campaigns in classes III and IV of CONAMA Resolution nº 357/2005, since the variables Phosphorus, Cadmium and Cupper showed higher values than those established by the abovementioned Resolution. According to the classification of the water bodies of both basins, they can be used for human supply, after conventional or advanced treatment, to irrigation, amateur fishing, recreation and also animal watering. In this sense, it was concluded that the land use presented in both basins, due to the use of agrochemicals, poses significant risks to water quality, as well as the release of domestic and industrial effluents, since the basins evaluated presented changes in the same parameters evaluated.
Partimos da hipótese de que o modelo de uso da terra, presente nas áreas das bacias hidrográficas ribeirão Paraíso-GO e córrego Cerrado/Cadunga-MG, vem proporcionando mudanças significativas na qualidade das águas das mesmas, as quais recebem sedimentos e nutrientes provenientes de fatores naturais e antrópicos. Neste sentido objetivo geral, diagnosticar a qualidade das águas em relação ao modelo de modelo de uso da terra e características físicas das bacias. Os métodos utilizados na pesquisa seguiram os procedimentos da American Public Health Association (APHA), legislação CONAMA nº 357/2005 (água superficial) e portaria do Ministério da Saúde 2914/2011 (água potável). Ao se comparar os aspectos geológicos das duas bacias, verificou-se que as mesmas se diferenciam pela presença das areias inconsolidadas na parte superior do ribeirão Paraíso. Em relação aos solos, ambas distinguem-se pela presença dos Cambissolos no ribeirão Paraíso e se assemelham em relação à presença de solos com características hidromórficas. Os estudos de uso da terra entre 2005 a 2015 demonstraram o desaparecimento gradativo do bioma Cerrado, principalmente na bacia do córrego Cerrado/Cadunga. A região da bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Paraíso apresentou maior potencial erosivo nas áreas de formação Vale do Rio do Peixe, assim como córrego Cerrado/Cadunga. Os teores de metais pesados nos solos identificados nos diferentes pontos amostrais revelam contaminações pontuais, principalmente ligadas ao uso da terra. No geral, os resultados dos sedimentos do córrego Cerrado/Cadunga mostraram que a distribuição dos elementos tem como principal contribuição a área urbana e o lançamento efluentes domésticos e industriais na rede de drenagem, e para os solos, as atividades agropastoris. Para a bacia do ribeirão Paraíso, a maior influência esteve ligada às atividades agrícolas, com destaque para a cana-de-açúcar. Dos metais pesados encontrados em ambas as bacias analisadas, o que demanda uma maior atenção, tanto nos sedimentos quanto nos solos, é o cádmio. Em relação ao enquadramento dos corpos d’água, constatou-se que o ribeirão Paraíso e o córrego Cerrado/Cadunga se enquadraram em todas as campanhas amostrais nas classes III e IV da Resolução CONAMA nº 357/2005, pois as variáveis Fósforo, Cádmio e Cobre apresentaram valores superiores aos estabelecido pela referida Resolução. Conforme o enquadramento dos corpos hídricos de ambas as bacias, as mesmas podem ser utilizadas para abastecimento humano, após tratamento convencional ou avançado, à irrigação, pesca amadora, à recreação e, ainda, dessedentação de animais. Nesse sentido, concluiu-se que o uso da terra apresentado em ambas as bacias, em razão do uso de agroquímicos, oferecem riscos à qualidade da água, tanto quanto o lançamento de efluentes domésticos e industriais, uma vez que as bacias avaliadas apresentaram alterações nos mesmos parâmetros avaliados.

Cette thèse vise à reconstituer les dynamiques de végétation et des sols, ainsi que l’activité des feux depuis la dernière période glaciaire dans le Centre-Est de la France. L’objectif est plus particulièrement de déterminer la période à partir de laquelle les forçages anthropiques prennent le pas sur les forçages climatiques dans la dynamique des écosystèmes et à caractériser la nature et l’intensité des pratiques agro-pastorales qui accompagnent ce changement. Pour cela des analyses paléo-écologiques (palynologiques,micro-anthracologiques et géochimiques) ont été réalisées à partir de trois séquences sédimentaires lacustres du Sud-Jura et du Bas Dauphiné.Du Tardiglaciaire au début de l’Holocène, soit de 14700 à 9000 cal. BP, les évolutions des indicateurs paléo-écologiques apparaissent fortement corrélées aux oscillations climatiques régionales et globales. Jusqu’au milieu de l’Holocène, de 9000 à 5000 cal. BP environ, les données polliniques montrent un impact anthropique de faible ampleur sur la couverture forestière, qui n’engendre aucun changement significatif dans l’activité des feux et les dynamiques d’érosion. De plus, durant cette période,aucun changement climatique ne semble avoir été suffisamment intense ou durable pour engendrer des modifications remarquables des écosystèmes. A partir de 5000-4500 cal. BP, les dépôts sédimentaires enregistrent une augmentation de l’activité des feux liée à son utilisation comme outil de conquête par l’homme sur la forêt (essartage par exemple). Cette période correspond au passage d’un régime de feu sous « contrôle naturel » à un régime sous « contrôle anthropique ». Ce n’est que plus tardivement, vers 2300 cal BP (second âge du Fer), que les activités agropastorales deviennent assez intenses pour modifier durablement la couverture végétale et générer une érosion sans précédent des sols. Le régime du feu change à nouveau, suite à une modification de son usage ; il devient alors un outil de gestion des espaces agropastoraux et les analyses attestent de son rôle capital dans les dynamiques de transformation et d’évolution des paysages. La pression anthropique devient permanente et un seuil important semble avoir été franchi dans l’histoire locale des agro-systèmes.Au sein de cette période très anthropisée, trois grandes périodes se détachent : l’âge du Fer jusqu’à la période romaine, le Moyen Age et l’époque moderne se distinguent par leurs types de pratiques agro-pastorales et leurs effets sur l’érosion des sols
This thesis aims to reconstruct vegetation and soil dynamics, as well as ire activity variabilityin the East-central part of France since the Last-glacial period (ca. 15000 yr). The objective is mostparticularly to disentangle the role of climate and anthropogenic forcing factors in ecosystems dynamics.Actually, the problematic concerns the switch from a climatic- to anthropogenic-driven ecosystemsand the study of agro-pastoral practices impact which leads to an ecological trajectory change. Thus,palaeoecological analysis (pollen, geochemical and micro-anthracological) were performed from threelake sediment records of Southern Jura Mountains and Bas Dauphiné areas.During the Late-glacial and the early Holocene period (14700 to 9000 cal. BP), palaeoecologicalchanges appear strongly correlated to regional and global climate oscillations. Until the mid-Holocene(9000 to 5000 cal BP), pollen analysis record a small-scale human impact on forest cover and nosigniicant changes in ire activity and soil erosion. Moreover, none climate change has been suficientlyintense or sustainable to generate remarkable modiications of the ecosystem. From 5000-4500 cal. BP,the sedimentary deposits recorded an increase in ire activity related to its use as a clearing tool. Thisperiod corresponds to the switch from a natural to an anthropogenic control on ires activity.It was only from ca. 2300 cal BP (Late Iron Age) that agro-pastoral activities become enoughintense to induce sustainable change in the vegetation cover and generate unprecedented erosion of soils.In parallel, the ire use changed and it became a tool for the management of agro-pastoral areas. Therefore,the human impact can be considered as permanent and a tipping point has been reached in the history oflandscape shaping. However, three main periods: Iron Age to roman period, medieval and modern timescan be distinguished through the development of agro-pastoral practices and their impact on ecosystems,most particularly on soil erosion

AbstractThis article aims to address conflictive projects and their pathways of resolution in the field of land use and territorial and natural resource management in Latin America in relation to one of the protected areas of Argentinean Patagonia, Los Alerces National Park (PNLA), inscribed by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site in 2017. I argue that the changes driven by the commodity boom (2000–2014), i.e., the development of extractive activities, deforestation and the expansion of grain and mineral exports, have had and continue to have a high environmental impact. Since the 2000s, the continent has experienced a series of protests that brought to light the unease caused by projects based on the development of large-scale extractive activities, which impacted legislation and reinforced the implementation of restrictive regulations for territorial management and land use, as seen from the nomination of the PNLA as a Natural World Heritage Site. The article shows that the legislative changes, as well as requirements of the PNLA inscription, provide fundamental legal support to the formulation, management and technical implementation of a new agro-silvo-pastoral culture capable of reconciling the conservation of scenic value (vii), biodiversity (x) and sustainability in protected areas. This proposal opens up the possibility of expanding the protected areas within the framework of the Andean-North Patagonian Biosphere Reserve.

Agro-pastoralists in the tropical semi-arid dryland areas of sub-Saharan Africa are significantly affected by climate change and variability. The agro-pastoral families are coping with production-related climatic risks through livelihood diversification to ensure food security. Data were collected from a sample of 411 agro-pastoralists across five districts in the semi-arid northern and central regions of Tanzania through survey conducted between November 2017 and July 2018. Secondary data regarding crop yields and livestock populations for eight years from 2009 to 2017 were collected from the National Bureau of Statistics and the respective District offices. Results show that about three-quarters of the agro-pastoralists managed diversified crop and livestock portfolios with two or more crops and animal species. However, simulated crop yields reveal positive correlations. Construction of integrated portfolios that generate good returns at a modest risk can be achieved through strategic choices between high-return high-risk and low-return low-risk crop and livestock activities. Thus, the paper recommends for costly long-term breeding and genotype improvement programs, strategically changing the make-up of the current crop and livestock portfolios which appear to be an affordable and tailored solution for building risk resilience among agro-pastoral communities in the drylands.