A case of benign neglect

Energy Access Outlook 2017: From Poverty to Prosperity (IEA 2017) provides valuable information on the differences between rural and urban populations’ access to electricity and other energy- related services, highlighting the importance of using renewable energy to reach remote rural areas in developing countries. However, since the report does not disaggregate data on pastoralists, it is not possible to ascertain their level of energy poverty, how this compares with sedentary populations, and whether renewable energy would help improve their access to energy while still practising grazing mobility. Key messages related to availability of information on pastoralists and rangelands • There are differences between estimates for total rangeland area and the extent of rangeland degradation is a confusing issue, due to varying interpretations of ‘degradation’. For example, the World Atlas of Desertification (2018) states 29 million km 2 , while FAO estimated 34 million km 2 in 2011. A widely quoted publication, Gabathuler, Hauert, and Giger (2009) estimates that 73 per cent of rangelands are degraded, but the World Atlas of Desertification (2018) shows that 15 per cent of rangelands have some form of degradation. It is not clear whether these figures represent actual statistical reductions over the years or differences in definitions, sampling methodologies and data-collection methods. Without a clear understanding of such large- scale phenomena, it will not be possible to devise appropriate policies for pastoral development and rangeland management as well as wider phenomena, such as increasing sandstorms and dust storms.

statistics or disaggregated data on the many different forms of pastoralism. It states that there is insufficient research, science and technology in certainareas, such as pastoralists’ access to animal genetic resources, rangeland management (rather than technology) and the improvement of rangeland resources. Global Environment Outlook 5: Environment for the future we want (UNEP 2012b) provides insight on agricultural land-use and production systems, highlighting pastoralism as a potentially sustainable form of production. It provides some case studies on pastoralism, including land-tenure security and rangeland restoration through rotation. While the report includesstatisticsrelatedtoconfinedlivestockproduction (especially in relation to its ecological footprint), it does not for rangeland livestock systems. Rangelands (using the metonym pasturelands) are discussed in relation to land degradation, crop expansion and overgrazing, but there are no detailed statistics. The Emissions Gap Report 2017: A UN Environment Synthesis Report (UNEP 2017) provides information on GHG emissions and mitigation related to the livestock sector. It includes global statistics obtained from United Nations organizations and research data on carbon sequestration and emissions from grazing lands. However, it does not disaggregate pastoralism and rangelands. The report Avoiding Future Famines: Strengthening the Ecological Foundation of Food Security through Sustainable Food Systems (UNEP 2012a) draws on a wide array of existing research and peer-reviewed information, but does not provide specific statistics on pastoralism and rangelands. Rangelands are mentioned in a general manner and pastoralism is only discussed in the context of experiences with Holistic Management in Australia.

• Although relevant to an understanding of overall habitat health and trends, the global health assessments on forest resources do not provide sufficiently detailed and disaggregated data to assess the extent and status of rangelands. Some of the assessments reviewed stress the benefits of trees to agricultural systems, including pastoralism, while others focus on the effects of overgrazing on forest systems. • The global assessments on agriculture contain useful information on livestock systems, but tend not to disaggregate data on pastoral and rangeland systems. • Several assessments on drylands (including land degradation and desertification) provide valuable insight on ecosystem changes, threats and opportunities. However, they generally lack sufficient disaggregation of pastoral systems (transhumance, nomadic, ranching, agropastoral, etc.) and their rangelands. • Existing assessments often provide valuable information on controversial and current topics, though these mostly use scientific research carried out on samples of sites or populations, rather than global data that are collected in a consistent manner. • Remote sensing methods used by the Global Drylands Assessment and the ‘convergence’ method used by the third World Atlas of Desertification and IPBES are innovative methodologies, especially considering the advances in satellite imagery and its availability, and should be replicated and verified through field data.

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