Impacts of modernization on nomads and their use of rangeland resources in At-Taysiyah region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Pastoral nomadism in arid and semiarid regions has evolved over many centuries as a rational response to uncertain climatic conditions and fragile ecosystems. Nomads are the main inhabitants of the bast area of marginal rangeland in Saudi Arabia. However, in the past few decades, modernization, in the form of improved transportation and access to water, combined with government subsidy of supplemental barley to the nomads of regions such as At-Taisyiah in the northern part of Saudi Arabia have provided the nomadic tribes with a buffer against uncertain climatic conditions and against the consequences of increasingly aggressive grazing of the range. In this study, an integrated approach is adopted to assess the impact of modernization and government intervention on the nomads and on the health of rangelands in At-Taisyiah. The approach consisted of interview with nomads in the region, a socio economic study of the region's nomadic lifestyle, analyses of several range capability assessment studies, and utilization of stochastic simulation models. Three major areas were identified in need of major improvements. These are the nomads' perception of range land resources, use of rangeland, and government policies towards nomads and rangeland. Improvement in these areas will play a major role in slowing the acceleration of desertification of marginal range lands in Saudi Arabia. comparison of Monte-Carlo simulations of four different grazing intensity scenarios and 12 different levels of government subsidies confirmed that lower grazing intensities provide the only means for sustainable utilization and for the combating of desertification of the rangelands in At-Taisyiah region.