Soil erosion in East Africa: an interdisciplinary approach to realising pastoral land management change
Blake, WH; Rabinovich, A; Wynants, M; et al.Kelly, C; Nasseri, M; Ngondya, I; Patrick, A; Mtei, K; Munishi, L; Boeckx, P; Navas, A; Smith, HG; Gilvear, D; Wilson, G; Roberts, N; Ndakidemi, P
Date: 3 December 2018
Journal
Environmental Research Letters
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Implementation of socially acceptable and environmentally desirable solutions to soil erosion
challenges is often limited by (1) fundamental gaps between the evidence bases of different
disciplines and (2) an implementation gap between science-based recommendations, policy
makers and practitioners. We present an integrated, ...
Implementation of socially acceptable and environmentally desirable solutions to soil erosion
challenges is often limited by (1) fundamental gaps between the evidence bases of different
disciplines and (2) an implementation gap between science-based recommendations, policy
makers and practitioners. We present an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to support co24
design of land management policy tailored to the needs of specific communities and places
in degraded pastoral land in the East African Rift System. In a northern Tanzanian case
study site, hydrological and sedimentary evidence shows that, over the past two decades,
severe drought and increased livestock have reduced grass cover, leading to surface
crusting, loss of soil aggregate stability, and lower infiltration capacity. Infiltration excess
overland flow has driven (a) sheet wash erosion, (b) incision along convergence pathways
and livestock tracks, and (c) gully development, leading to increased hydrological
connectivity. Stakeholder interviews in associated sedenterising Maasai communities
identified significant barriers to adoption of soil conservation measures, despite local
awareness of problems. Barriers were rooted in specific pathways of vulnerability, such as a
strong cattle-based cultural identity, weak governance structures, and a lack of resources
and motivation for community action to protect shared land. At the same time, opportunities
for overcoming such barriers exist, through openness to change and appetite for education
and participatory decision-making. Guided by specialist knowledge from natural and social
sciences, we used a participatory approach that enabled practitioners to start co-designing
potential solutions, increasing their sense of efficacy and willingness to change practice. This
approach, tested in East Africa, provides a valuable conceptual model around which other
soil erosion challenges in the Global South might be addressed.
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