A socioecological system approach to analyzing the impact of rangeland enclosures in Somaliland

Rangeland enclosures have notable socioecological and livelihoods effects since they affect patterns of traditional ecosystem governance. This study analyses the socioecological effects of rangeland enclosures in Somaliland. The study uses a mixed-method research approach. The primary data required for the study were collected from a randomly selected sample and key informants. The secondary data were collected from satellite imagery. Simple descriptive analysis was used to analyse the primary quantitative and qualitative data. Satellite imagery was analysed using unsupervised methods to assess ecological change. The study indicates that private enclosures have significant socioecological effects in Baligubadle. They have changed land use from a traditional, communal grazing to private ownership. It also eroded traditional customary laws governing patterns of transhumance livestock movements. Moreover, the process has converted the coverage of woodlands, shrublands and bushlands, with 37.84% of shrublands and bushlands converted to agricultural land and 24.13% of them converted to open grassland. The process has converted 22.1% of woodlands to agricultural land. In contrast, in a public enclosure in Aroori, shrublands and bushlands have increased by 27%. This brought about a significant improvement in the regeneration of indigenous plant species. The effort to mitigate the adverse socio-ecological consequences of enclosure requires integrated and long-term interventions. Strengthening the role and power of customary institutions and increasing the contributions of land enclosures for environmental sustainability. It is also important developing rangeland-specific and sustainability-informed policy to improve the use and governance of lands and balance the interests of multiple stakeholders.