In the Greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, with the Serengeti National Park (SNP) at its core, people and wildlife are strongly dependent on water supply that has a strong seasonal and inter-annual... Show moreIn the Greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, with the Serengeti National Park (SNP) at its core, people and wildlife are strongly dependent on water supply that has a strong seasonal and inter-annual variability. The Mara River, the only perennial river in SNP, and a number of small streams originate from outside SNP before flowing through it. In those watersheds increasing grazing pressure from livestock, deforestation, irrigation and other land uses affect river flows in SNP that subsequently have impacts on wildlife. We quantified the changes since the 1970s of river discharge dynamics. We found that the baseflow recession period for the Mbalageti River has remained unchanged at 70 days, which is a natural system inside SNP. By contrast it has decreased from 100 days in the 1970s to 16 days at present for the Mara River, coinciding with increased commercial-scale irrigation in Kenya that extract Mara River water before it reaches SNP. This irrigation will result in zero flow in the river in SNP if the proposed dams in the river in Kenya are built. We observed high flash floods and prolonged periods of zero flows in streams draining livestock grazed watersheds, where severe major erosion prevails that results in gully formation. This eroded sediment is expected to silt and dry out the scattered dry season water holes in SNP, which are an important source of drinkable water for wildlife during the dry season. It appears likely that the future water supply of SNP is at risk, and this has major consequences for its people and wildlife. Ecohydrology-based solutions at the catchment scale are urgently needed to reduce catchment degradation while ensuring sustainable water provision. Show less
Sustainable food systems are essential for meeting nutritional requirements, limiting environmental impacts, and reducing animal welfare loss. Although current dietary trends in many regions rather... Show moreSustainable food systems are essential for meeting nutritional requirements, limiting environmental impacts, and reducing animal welfare loss. Although current dietary trends in many regions rather go in the opposite direction, the adequacy of dietary guidelines is unknown, and the three sustainability dimensions are generally not assessed simultaneously. Here, we assessed nation-specific recommended diets for these impacts compared with the average diet. We assessed the trade-offs between nutritional quality, environmental sustainability (carbon, land, and water footprints), and animal welfare. Most countries reduce their animal product consumption in terms of food calories when switching to the nationally recommended diet. Recommended diets have the potential for “win-win-wins” in all three categories when compared with the current average diet, such as that shown in Brazil. However, South Korea loses in all three regards, and many other countries face trade-offs. This highlights the scope for the optimization of dietary guidelines to minimize such trade-offs. Show less
Norder, S.; Rijsdijk, K.; Dietz, A.J.; Rughooputh, S. 2012
Op Mauritius is 90% van de landbouwgrond beplant met suikerriet en wordt nu ook geïnvesteerd in de productie van bio-ethanol - een veelgevraagde biobrandstof op basis van suiker. De... Show moreOp Mauritius is 90% van de landbouwgrond beplant met suikerriet en wordt nu ook geïnvesteerd in de productie van bio-ethanol - een veelgevraagde biobrandstof op basis van suiker. De toeristische ontwikkelingen en verstedelijking slokken het land echter op. Kleine suikerboeren verkopen hun kostbare grond; grote suikerconcerns zoeken hun heil op het vasteland. Show less
This book analyses changes in the use of the landscape and the nature of rural livelihoods in two South African villages - Guquka and Koloni in the former Ciskei homeland. Taking an... Show moreThis book analyses changes in the use of the landscape and the nature of rural livelihoods in two South African villages - Guquka and Koloni in the former Ciskei homeland. Taking an interdisciplinary approach on how livelihoods and landscapes in the Eastern Cape link the book provides a study of the patterns of land use over time. It depicts the steady deterioration in agricultural production and the corresponding increase in dependence on social grants and wages. It shows that despite this trend remnants of a peasantry do exist. Contributions: Investigating rural livelihoods and landscapes in Guquka and Koloni: an introduction (Paul Hebinck); Rural transformation in the Eastern Cape (Paul Hebinck and Wim van Averbeke); Agro-ecology, land use and smallholder farming in the central Eastern Cape (Wim van Averbeke and James Bennett); A social history of Guquka and Koloni: settlement and resources (Paul Hebinck and Lothar Smith); Natural resource base and agricultural potentials (Peter C. Lent); Local governance and institutions (Wim van Averbeke and James Bennett); The view from above: a history of land use in Guquka and Koloni, 1938-1996) (Peter C. Lent and Guilty Mupakati); Production of crops in arable fields and home gardens (Paul Hebinck and Nomakaya Monde); Livestock production and forage resources (James Bennett and Peter C. Lent); Gathering from the land (Peter C. Lent); Mobility and population dynamics (Lothar Smith and Paul Hebinck); Contemporary livelihoods (Wim van Averbeke and Paul Hebinck); Life histories and livelihood trajectories (Paul Hebinck et al.); Livelihoods and landscapes: people, resources and land use (Paul Hebinck and Wim van Averbeke). [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Het Dogongebied maakt deel uit van de regio Mopti en behoort tot de armste gebieden van Mali. De economie van het gebied is gebaseerd op de graanbouw voor eigen gebruik en op de veeteelt voor... Show moreHet Dogongebied maakt deel uit van de regio Mopti en behoort tot de armste gebieden van Mali. De economie van het gebied is gebaseerd op de graanbouw voor eigen gebruik en op de veeteelt voor vlees en melk. Voor enkele bewoners die op het Plateau van Bandiagara leven, is tuinbouw de enige bron van inkomsten. In de afgelopen decennia heeft de technologische ontwikkeling een versnelde groei van landbouwgronden met zich meegebracht. Hoewel de productie sinds lange tijd schijnt af te nemen onder invloed van de droogte, is de totale productie niet gedaald dankzij de snelle groei van het landbouwareaal. De landbouwstrategieën van de Dogon worden hier besproken per agro-ecologische zone: graanbouw, uienteelt en marginale veeteelt op het Plateau van Bandiagara, en veeteelt, graanbouw, oasen, steun en handel in de vlakten. Noten. [Samenvatting ASC Leiden] Show less
Compte-rendu d'un séminaire sur les recherches pour le développement d'une agriculture durable au Bénin qui s'est tenu le 9 septembre 1993 à Amsterdam.
This study examines agricultural production and off-farm employment among the rural population in Kwale District Kenya. Research was carried out in two villages, located in different agro... Show moreThis study examines agricultural production and off-farm employment among the rural population in Kwale District Kenya. Research was carried out in two villages, located in different agro-ecological zones: Kibandaongo, in the low-potential livestock-millet zone, inhabited by the Duruma; and Bongwe, in the relatively high-potential coconut-cassava zone, inhabited by the Digo. The study shows that the areas differ considerably with respect to agricultural performance and the role of additional income from off-farm activities. This difference, however, is not primarily caused by differences in agro-ecological potential, but rather by differences in the socioeconomic sphere: opportunities for off-farm employment in Bongwe are much larger than in Kibandaongo. The involvement of the population of Bongwe in off-farm activities leads to a neglect of agricultural activities, particularly food production. Show less
