Dry season pasture in the Sudanian zone of North-East Benin

Abstract

In the Benin Sudanian zone, where rather competitive systems of land use are encountered, fallow land and savanna vegetation are utilized by cattle under the traditional rearing system. Yet, following the dry season bushfires, savannas are clearly more frequented, the reason being their stock of ligneous tree fodder, as the main feeding source for herds. The initial herbaceous pasture to appear aller the first rain may also be observed in the savanna. The dry matter yields are measured over ten patches of range randomized in five different locations. After harvesting the herbaceous phytomass of a 100 m2 tire protected exclosure (grazing exclusion), the effects of a full protection policy against bushfire have been appreciated.