The ecology and management of drought accross South African rangelands

Abstract

Parts of South Africa experienced a multi-year drought, from 2015 through to early 2020. Climate change is projected to increase the duration, frequency and intensity of drought, extreme temperature and floods. Variables relating to global warming such as raising temperatures and precipitation patterns pose a significant threat to the sustainability of rangelands and livestock productivity, which negatively affect the livelihoods communities relying on various benefits from rangelands. For example, studies have shown that rainfall variability in arid and semi-arid rangelands significantly impacts grazing capacity by influencing vegetation growth and forage availability and quality. Changes in rainfall patterns, particularly droughts, leads to reduced vegetation cover and forage, consequently decreasing grazing capacity. The impacts of droughts are not evenly distributed across the landscapes or among the farming communities due to variation in geographic condition and socio-economic factors. Thus, assessing rangeland conditions before, during and after drought periods is critical for understanding these impacts to develop effective management strategies specific for the different agro-ecological zones. Additionally, rangeland assessment can assist in developing policies and provide guidance to farmers based on ecological insights and farmers’ indigenous knowledge systems.