Traditional Micropatches, Plant Diversity, and Local Perceptions of Rangeland Degradation in Northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract In East Africa, Ethiopia’s rangelands constitute about 64 % of lowland areas, serving as primary feed resources for pastoral communities. However, these rangelands face severe degradation due to overgrazing, climate variability, human disturbance, and invasive species, threatening both productivity and biodiversity. This study assessed the impact of grazing and rangeland exclosures on vegetation dynamics, species diversity, biomass, and pastoral livelihoods in Chifra district, Afar Region, Ethiopia. Stratified random sampling compared enclosed and communally grazed areas through vegetation surveys and household interviews (n=195). Results revealed significantly higher species richness, diversity (H’=2.59 vs 1.46), and herbaceous biomass in enclosed areas compared to open communal grazing lands. Exclosures promoted the regeneration of highly desirable grasses and woody species while reducing invasive and less palatable plants. Pastoralists identified low rainfall and overgrazing as major causes of rangeland decline, impacting livestock productivity and food security. Indigenous management practices such as stock mobility, exclosures establishment, and de-stocking ranked highest for restoring rangeland health. The study highlights the effectiveness of grazing exclusion in rehabilitating degraded rangelands and sustaining pastoral livelihoods. Integrating traditional knowledge with scientific approaches and supporting exclosures management can improve vegetation recovery, biomass production, and resilience against environmental stressors. These findings provide key insights for sustainable rangeland management and conservation strategies in arid and semi-arid pastoral systems.