A model for sustainable management of livestock on the commons: A comparative analysis of two types of Apache Indian cattle associations.

Abstract

This dissertation develops a new organizational model based on sustainability criteria within which the organizational and technical solutions to the problems of management of extensive livestock production systems on the commons grazing lands can be provided. Due to the multifarious forces of modernization the traditional range/livestock systems developed by tribal peoples in arid and semiarid areas world-wide have largely been abandoned. The outcome has been extensive rangeland deterioration and expansion of desertification in many cases. The Apache Indian cattle association operations examined herein, the Mescalero single-brand and the San Carlos multiple-brand, are examples of livestock organizations operating extensive livestock production programs on commonly held rangelands. The results of these investigations provide the basis for developing this model.