Sustainable management of rangeland of hot arid region with special reference to climate change

Abstract

Rangelands are important component of hot desert landscapes. They improve soil fertility, combat soil erosion, protect water tables, enhance water infiltration in soil and store carbon in soils mitigating climate change effects. Compared to arable farming, rangeland based animal husbandry has positive impacts on the desert environment and provide various ecosystem services and goods. Grazing based animal husbandry is not an economic activity in the desert but also an important component of cultural heritage. Although rangelands in hot arid region largely found in degraded state due to combination of environmental and socio-economic factors, they still remain the major forage resource base significantly contributing to the animal husbandry sector. Hot arid rangeland shrubs due to their morpho-physiological characteristics have very important role in climate change scenario. If, somehow, with available technologies and sound management these rangelands are brought back to their potential production level, the gap between forage supply and demand can be at least leveled up in view of climate change scenario.