plenty of manure and urea, which provide
an optimal environment for seed to germi-
nate and grow with the onset of rains.
Seeds that commonly grow in livestock
enclosures are Acacia tortilis, Sueda moni-
ca, Ziziphus mauritiana, Indigofera spin-
osa andCordia sinensis, among many oth-
ers. Also, along the livestock trails, the
pressure of the hooves creates micro-envi-
ronments for seed col-
lection, germination
and establishment.
Shortly after the rainy
season, the grazing
areas sprout up with a
varied vegetation.
Whether or not delib-
erately practiced to
this end, livestock
mobility is thus an
important medium
through which seeds
are dispersed and pas-
ture is maintained.Access rules, “range reserves” and
biodiversity conservation
The Gabbra people are subdivided into
five phratries, or sub-tribes, each encom-
passing 50 to 100 households related to
specific grazing zone and movements.^8 All
sub-tribes have an intimate knowledge of
plant types and distribution in their territo-
ry. Their very existence is dependant on
this knowledge. The grass, herbs, shrub,
and trees feed the livestock, which supply
herders with milk, meat, blood, skins, a
medium of exchange, a repository of
wealth, and the basis of their social
organisation. Plants are of utmost impor-
tance in terms of livestock forage, but
they are also essential for use as fuel, in
construction, and to craft the material ele-
ments of the local culture. In fact, differ-
ent types of plants are used by the
Gabbra for numerous ceremonies and ritu-
als conducted throughout the year.Pasture and water are vital components of
the arid land ecosystem, which require
prudent management and conservation.
The Gabbra manage their pasture throughcontrolled grazing. They move from the
wells and other permanent water sources
as soon as it rains in order to preserve the
pasture closer to home (and the water
source) for the times of real need.
Similarly, they move from wet season
grazing areas as soon as the water pans
are dry to avoid overgrazing.The rules regarding wet season and dry
season grazing areas are strict, enforced
through fines and generally respected.
Restrictions apply to grazing, wood gath-
ering and tree cutting. Fines are also
imposed on intruders from other areas
who access pasture without permission.
The range “reserves” can be large or
small. Large reserves can be closed sea-
sonally, yearly or even be for many years,
but it is extremely rare that they are
closed permanently. Small (micro)
reserves are often established around set-
tlements and water points, while largeerConservation aas ccultural aand ppolitical ppractice
The sseeds oof cconsumed
plants gget ttreated iin
the rrumen oof llive-
stock... tthe ppressure oof
the hhooves ccreates
innumerable mmicro-
environments ffor sseed
collection, ggermina-
tion aand eestablish-
ment... sseeds aare ddis-
persed aand ppasture iis
maintained.
Figure 4.In arid, non-equilibrium ecosystems
moister areas of scrub vegetation are an important
ecological niche. (Courtesy of Chachu F. Ganya)