Project properties

Title Short duration overnight kraaling as a soil restoration strategy
Group Soil Physics and Land Management group
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Luuk Fleskens, Allan Sebata (NUST)
Examiner(s) Coen Ritsema
Contact info
Begin date 2020/02/09
End date
Description Problem context
Short duration overnight cattle kraaling for 7-14 days is a new innovative rangeland restoration management practice to improve grass biomass and abundance of palatable grass species. After kraaling soil fertility improves due to nutrients deposited by cattle as dung and urine resulting in improved grass biomass. System of kraaling in natural rangelands results in creation of a mosaic of nutrient hotspots. This system has been implemented in the large Debshan range in semi-arid southwestern Zimbabwe. The system principles can possibly also help smallholders to restore pieces of overgrazed land.

Research Objective/Question
Experiences with short duration overnight kraaling have been documented to lead to several ecological improvements on the Debshan ranch. Student research could look into the economics of the new system or the transferability to smallholder livestock systems.

What is expected from the student (type of research)
Activities can include a combination of soil biophysical analyses (infiltration measurements, available soil moisture, soil organic matter status), economic analyses and surveys into perceived and real barriers and opportunities for adoption.
Used skills
Requirements