Trade-offs for climate-resilient pastoral livelihoods in wildlife conservancies in the Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

Date

2016-06

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Publisher

Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies (PRISE)

Abstract

This paper investigates the ability of wildlife conservancies in the Mara, Kenya to act as an alternative for pastoralists in mitigating risks and maintaining resilience in a changing climate. Conservancies can integrate with and contribute to pastoralist livelihoods. The report weighs trade-offs for pastoralists as they work with conservancies to mitigate climate change amid pressures on ecosystem resources. Findings show that conservancy payments provide important, reliable year-round income and prevent households from having to sell livestock during stressful periods. They also retain grass banks during the dry season for continued access to forage. However, among other drawbacks, they reduce access to large areas of former grazing lands.

Description

Keywords

SEMI-ARID REGIONS, MAASAI, LIVESTOCK, TOURISM, RANGELANDS, DRYLANDS, LAND USE, PASTORALISM, WILDLIFE CONSERVANCIES, NATURE RESERVES, KENYA, SOUTH OF SAHARA

Citation

DOI