Influence diagrams for modeling impact of landuse intensity in pastoral ecosystems in Northern Kenya /
Changes in traditionally mobile pastoral societies in East
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1995.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=742745781&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | Changes in traditionally mobile pastoral societies in East Africa associated with pressures promoting sedentarization have prompted concern over the sustainability of these production systems. Past rangeland research and development programs in Africa have proven inadequate to alleviate these concerns, largely because of difficulties in translating knowledge about land degradation processes into terms which may be used in design of appropriate and economically justifiable land management interventions. Environmental complexity, lack of reliable data and multiple, frequently conflicting, management goals all contribute to this problem. To resolve questions about the sustainability of pastoral production systems, specialized tools consisting of simple spatial models for estimating landuse intensity and its impact on rangeland degradation risk were developed. The models are based on influence diagram methodology and may be parameterized using remotely-sensed and ancillary data. They provide a probabilistic impact assessment about alternative landuse intensities, on portions of pastoral home ranges, in relation to predefined management goals. Analyses for sensitivity and expected value of information were used to highlight information gaps. The various methods were demonstrated using a long-term dataset from a pastoral ecosystem in Northern Kenya. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Rangeland Ecology and Management". |
| Physical Description: | xi, 67 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |