Vol. 6 · No. 1 · 2002

R.M.T. Baars and Said Moussa Aptidon

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Pastoralists in eastern Ethiopia keep camels, cattle, goats, sheep and/or donkeys for their livelihood (Baars 2000). The livestock rely entirely on the natural rangeland for their nutrition. The conservation of this natural resource is hence extremely important, as it forms the basis and limits of pastoralist economy (Ahmed 1989). Degradation of the rangeland, defined as a reduction in the long-term productive capacity, results in a decrease in livestock production, which in turn affects the livelihood of pastoralists. Hence, proper management and conservation of the rangeland is essential. Rangeland degradation has taken place in eastern Ethiopia (Lulseged 1985; Survey 1992). This implies that rangelands have been exploited, without a corresponding conservation having been carried out.