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Rangeland utilization in Mediterranean farming systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2010

M. Jouven ,
P. Lapeyronie ,
C-H. Moulin  and
F. Bocquier
M. Jouven*
Affiliation:
Montpellier SupAgro, MPRS, UMR ERRC, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France INRA, PHASE, UMR868, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France
P. Lapeyronie
Affiliation:
Montpellier SupAgro, MPRS, UMR ERRC, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France INRA, PHASE, UMR868, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France
C-H. Moulin
Affiliation:
Montpellier SupAgro, MPRS, UMR ERRC, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France INRA, PHASE, UMR868, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France
F. Bocquier
Affiliation:
Montpellier SupAgro, MPRS, UMR ERRC, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France INRA, PHASE, UMR868, 2 place Pierre Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France
*
†E-mail: jouven@supagro.inra.fr
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Abstract

In the countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin, most of the semi-natural grazing lands are covered by rangelands. Rangelands can be defined as highly heterogeneous natural vegetation communities with high conservation value, growing in harsh environments (poor soils, unfavourable climatic conditions). In the recent socio-economic context, traditional livestock grazing practices that enabled one to reconcile rangeland preservation and animal production no longer apply, especially because they require labour that has become scarce and costly. The consequence is rangeland degradation, due to underutilization in Southern Europe, and overutilization in Northern Africa. We analysed issues raised by rangeland utilization in livestock farming systems of the Mediterranean basin. Based on a review of the scientific literature about rangeland utilization in this area, we argue that the best way to reconcile animal production and rangeland preservation would be to promote management practices allowing animals to express their adaptative capacities in feeding behaviour and productive response. In order to propose management practices adapted to extensive and simplified systems, we conclude that research efforts should focus on: (i) proposing a functional characterization of vegetation heterogeneity at the scale of the vegetation community, (ii) validating the criteria determining animals’ foraging behaviour on Mediterranean rangelands, (iii) developing and using simulation models to test management strategies against seasonal and long-term variability in climatic conditions and (iv) evaluating the potential of modern technologies for improving rangeland utilization.

Keywords

rangelandgrazing managementfeeding behaviourruminant
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 4 , Issue 10 , October 2010 , pp. 1746 - 1757
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2010

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