Publication Date
1993
Description
The soils, vegetation, and sustainability of forming systems in west Asia and north Africa (WANA) are compared with those in southern Australia (SA). Although climates are similar, soils differ markedly; most of W ANA has young soils derived from limestone, while most of SA has old soils derived from previous periods of high rainfall. Initially, the soils of W ANA were more fertile than those of SA, their current infertility being associated with 10 000 years of agricultural exploitation. In contrast the fertility of soils in SA has increased in the 200 years since European settlement. In both regions agriculture has destroyed the native vegetation, although in W ANA native annuals are still used in grasslands. In fact, most pasture species in SA originate in W ANA, leading to marked similarities in the appearance and species composition of grasslands. These are the annual grasses and legumes, including subterranean clover and the annual medics, so important in the development of SA agriculture. Loss of native vegetation is leading to wind and waler erosion in W ANA, and salinisation, rising water tables and acidification in SA. Integration of livestock and cereal production is important in both regions. However, in W ANA, livestock are fed on common land, and with special purpose cereal crops, while in Australia livestock graze pastures grown in rotation with cereals produced for human consumption. In W ANA, adjacent steppes are integralecl into the cereal zone by nomadic sheep herders. In SA land lease gives pasloralists control of the land they use. The W ANA system leads to overgrazing and rapid vegetation decline; the Australian system gives incentive to landholders to maintain vegetation, although intermittent droughts often lead to severe land degradation. In both W ANA and SA land rehabilitation is a community responsibility. Australia has a landcare programme in which farmers jointly make decisions affecting the future of the land. Such an approach is seen as appropriate to the improvement of WANA's communally owned grasslands. The two regions have much to offer each other. Australia continues to need the genetic resources of W ANA, while W ANA is experimenting with improved grasslands through use of pasture legumes. Dialogue is important lo the development of both.
Citation
Cocks, P S. and Gintzburger, G, "Long-term sustainability of livestock-producing farming systems in contrasting regions with mediterranean-type climates" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 18.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session10/18
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Long-term sustainability of livestock-producing farming systems in contrasting regions with mediterranean-type climates
The soils, vegetation, and sustainability of forming systems in west Asia and north Africa (WANA) are compared with those in southern Australia (SA). Although climates are similar, soils differ markedly; most of W ANA has young soils derived from limestone, while most of SA has old soils derived from previous periods of high rainfall. Initially, the soils of W ANA were more fertile than those of SA, their current infertility being associated with 10 000 years of agricultural exploitation. In contrast the fertility of soils in SA has increased in the 200 years since European settlement. In both regions agriculture has destroyed the native vegetation, although in W ANA native annuals are still used in grasslands. In fact, most pasture species in SA originate in W ANA, leading to marked similarities in the appearance and species composition of grasslands. These are the annual grasses and legumes, including subterranean clover and the annual medics, so important in the development of SA agriculture. Loss of native vegetation is leading to wind and waler erosion in W ANA, and salinisation, rising water tables and acidification in SA. Integration of livestock and cereal production is important in both regions. However, in W ANA, livestock are fed on common land, and with special purpose cereal crops, while in Australia livestock graze pastures grown in rotation with cereals produced for human consumption. In W ANA, adjacent steppes are integralecl into the cereal zone by nomadic sheep herders. In SA land lease gives pasloralists control of the land they use. The W ANA system leads to overgrazing and rapid vegetation decline; the Australian system gives incentive to landholders to maintain vegetation, although intermittent droughts often lead to severe land degradation. In both W ANA and SA land rehabilitation is a community responsibility. Australia has a landcare programme in which farmers jointly make decisions affecting the future of the land. Such an approach is seen as appropriate to the improvement of WANA's communally owned grasslands. The two regions have much to offer each other. Australia continues to need the genetic resources of W ANA, while W ANA is experimenting with improved grasslands through use of pasture legumes. Dialogue is important lo the development of both.
