Diagnosis of the Greater Masai Mara savannas
The GREATER MAASAI MARA
To start, the area is often referred to as the Maasai Mara but by locals simply as the Mara.
The Greater Mara is a region in southwestern Kenya bordering de Serengeti National Parc in Tanzania. The region is shared by the Maasai Mara National Reserve managed by Narok county, numerous wildlife conservancies, private and communal lands, the Maasai land and livestock owners, and the millions of migratory and sedentary wild animals for which the region is known throughout the world.
The Grazing Paradox
Herbivores instinctively seek out the freshest plant growth. As a result, once a grass is grazed, it’s often grazed again and again each time it regrows—while nearby, older grasses are ignored. This leads to a surprising outcome: overgrazing and undergrazing occuring side by side. Both are weakening the plants.
Over time, repeated stress can kill some grasses, leaving behind bare soil—exposed to sun, the damaging direct impact of rain and the ensuing erosion. Healthy grasslands depend on balanced grazing, not on fewer animals.
Over and under grazed grasses & partially bare soil
Bare Soil: A Result of Grazing Imbalance
Bare Soil: A Sign of Breakdown
When soil loses its protective plant cover, it’s exposed to harsh sun and pounding rain. This reduces water infiltration and retention, increases runoff, erosion and flooding, and accelerates evaporation. As water escapes the system, plant life declines further—setting in motion the cycle of desertification.
Friendship on the way
Exploring the Greater Masai Mara
Oscar explored the Mara to evaluate the consequences of the various grazing approaches practiced by land managers. Land and savanna degradations were obvious throughout but the good climatic conditions, with temperatures never exceeding 30°C and annual rainfall of 1000mm and more insure rapid improvements would be obtained should regenerative grazing practices be adopted. The Greater Mara is indeed an excellent region in which to demonstrate the effectiveness of regenerative grazing practices!
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