| Abstract |
Artificial water sources or boreholes were introduced in Botswana to mitigate surface water scarcity in rangelands and aid livestock production. Gradually piospheres were observed, areas close to water points experience high grazing pressure, trampling and excreta deposition as animals congregate at a reduced area for water, causing changes in vegetation and soil conditions. The magnitude of grazing and animal movements reduces as animals move away from water points as area of impact increases. Nonetheless, whether the above phenomenon takes place in different grazing management systems and ecological zones is poorly understood. Therefore the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of distance around water points, grazing management systems (ranches and communal grazing areas) and ecological zones (hardveld and sandveld) on vegetation and soil conditions. |
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