Steppe paths in agro-pastoralism and pastoralism and improvement strategy case of the M’ila region
Abstract
D. Boussaada* and K. Benabdelli
The high animal pressure exerted on the steppe rangelands in Algeria is reflected in a significant degradation which is manifested by the reduction of plant cover and the disappearance of pastoral species, which affects the productivity of pastoral systems. The transformation of pastoral systems based on rangelands into agro-pastoral systems based on barley feeding and barley-based fodder crops has also contributed to the scarcity of pastures. The results obtained show that farming techniques in steppe environments have a negative impact by decreasing both quantitatively and qualitatively (flora richness, overall recovery, phytomass and pastoral productivity) of pastoral routes compared to steppe routes. The study of the farming systems practiced has made it possible to point out a tendency towards the sedentarisation of the breeders on the rangelands with a high percentage. On the other hand, at the level of pastoral routes, a regressive evolution in recovery is perceptible and results in a phytomass of the order of 720 kg DM / ha and 122 UF / h.