IYRP February: Mark Moritz on Pastoralist Mobility, Land & Water Security

Pastoral mobility is crucial for both the sustainable management of rangelands and the economic viability of pastoralism. It is key to livestock productivity, because it enables herds to reach resources that are unevenly dispersed across space and are often short-lived in highly variable environments. Pastoralists specialize in guiding their herds through seasonal grazing of a succession of these resources, taking advantage of the often unpredictable availability of nutrient-rich pasture. In this IYRP mini-episode, Dr. Mark Moritz, an anthropologist who has worked with pastoralists in Africa for several decades, describes the importance of mobility and how this is tied to the importance of access to land and water. These pastoralists’ rights are in jeopardy in many parts of the world, including from terrorist groups like Boko Haram in Cameroon. The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center and the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission. Visit the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/iyrp-february-mark-moritz-pastoralist-mobility-land-water-security for links to resources mentioned in this interview. Music by Lewis Roise.