Détails de l’article

Pastoral feeding resources play an important role in the improvement of pastoral livestock in the southwestern of Mali. Invasive unpalatable species have led to the degradation of pasture quality. This study aims to assess the effect of these species on pastoral feeding resources and livestock productivity in the southwest of Mali based on a semi-structured household survey with 404 agro-pastoralists in four communes and herbaceous vegetation inventory using the point quadrat aligned and yield square method. The findings revealed significant differences in species composition, biomass, and carrying capacity between pasture savannahs and bowals. The majority of households are influenced by invasive species including Hyptis spicigera, Oximum basillicum, Hyptis suaveolens, Cassia tora, Walteria indica, and Sida rhombifolia. Based on the survey and phyto-ecological data analysis, the paper provides that invasive species are having a significant impact on pasture quality affecting livestock productivity and rural livelihoods.