The Impact of Free Grazing on Ecosystem Degradation in Caseof Weyira Kebele–Doreni District,Iluababor,Zone Oromia Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-06-26
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Weyirakebele is locatedin DoreniWoreda ,Ilu Aba Bor Zone, Oromia Regional state, SouthWestEthiopia. My study indicates that the free grazing system has contributed significantly to the land degradation problem in Dorenidestrict in the case of Weyirakebele. The traditional uncontrolled and freegrazing system in many kebeles of Doreni district has caused severe degradation of the /ecosystem/grazinglands as I observed and collected evidences. Following harvest during the dry season, all cropland become open to free grazing (stubble) until the next growing season. During this free grazing period, the little vegetative cover is completely grazed, the soils become bare and compacted. The free grazing system also has a negative effect on the conservation of ecosystem as animals often damage physical conservation structures such as stone terraces and soil bunds. Free grazing pressure changes the botanical composition of the pasture (Jávor, 1999). Török and West (1996) studied the influence of marked population growth of mouflon( Wild Sheep) on the vegetation composition. The results showed environmental degradation of the communities. Free grazing can lead to soil erosion exposing the soil to wind and water erosion.
Decreases above ground biomass because livestock use the vegetation for feed. According to scholars free grazing isone of the primary contributors land degradations through reduction in vegetation cover, degradation of top soil, causing soil compactions as result of trampling reduction in soil infiltration rates
and enhancement of the susceptibility of soils to erosion. Free grazing is highly affect the ecosystem in Weyirakebele Dorenidestrict Ilu Aba Bor Zone Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. It aimed to examine communities awareness on asses their adoption level on controlling their Livestock from free
grazing and to examine how to control the live stock from freegrazing and protect ecosystem in order not to degrade. All the Physical and Biological conservation structures are damaged by freegrazing
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Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Free Grazing, Livestock, Stream Bank