Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
Title (Primary) Die Gamis-Farm in Namibia: Analyse einer Weidewirtschaftsstrategie mit Hilfe eines Computersimulationsmodells
Title (Secondary) Jahrestagung 1995, Dresden/Tharandt
Author Stephan, T.; Jeltsch, F.; Wiegand, T.; Wissel, C.; Breiting, H.A.
Publisher Pfadenhauer, J.; Kappen, L.; Mahn, E.G.; Otte, A.; Plachter, H.
Source Titel Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie
Year 1996
Department OESA
Volume 26
Page From 455
Page To 462
Language deutsch
Keywords Simulationsmodell, Umtriebsweide, Karakulschafe, Nachhaltigkeit, Degradation, semi-arid
Abstract The farm Gamis is located about 250 km SW from  Windhoek at the edge of the Namib. Mean annual  precipitation is 180 mm with enormaus fluctuations  in space and time. Extensive pastoral agriculture is  supposed to be the suitable type of land use in this  ecologically sensitive region where much of the land  is now degraded due to overgrazing in the past. At  the Gamis farm Karakut sheep are kept for the production  of furs. The farmland (30 000 ha) is divided  into 98 paddocks, approximately 60 of them are used  for the grazing of (up to three} fur production flocks.  A sophisticated grazing rotation system has prevented  the land from degradation, at the same time guaranteeing  the farm's economic survival. We regard this  management strategy as an example of sustainable  land use. Our computer simulation model is constructed  in order to understand the basis of this strategy's  success and to apply this knowledge to other  situations. The model is a top-down approach that simulates  rainfall and development of the vegetation  according to Iang-term observations by the farmer.  Rules of the rotation system have been included into  the model. Variations of the rules are analyzed to  compare different strategies·. Model results show that  the farmer's strategy is able to cope with aridity in general  and particularly with the typical occurrence of  periods of drought to be found in this region. Alternative  strategies are found to be less successful.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=22466
Stephan, T., Jeltsch, F., Wiegand, T., Wissel, C., Breiting, H.A. (1996):
Die Gamis-Farm in Namibia: Analyse einer Weidewirtschaftsstrategie mit Hilfe eines Computersimulationsmodells
In: Pfadenhauer, J., Kappen, L., Mahn, E.G., Otte, A., Plachter, H. (Hrsg.)
Jahrestagung 1995, Dresden/Tharandt
Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft für Ökologie 26
Fischer, Stuttgart, S. 455 - 462