Aims

Understanding the complexity of rangeland systems in their ecological, plant and animal production and sociological aspects
Getting the knowledge necessary to the description of forage potential of vegetation and area as well as their modelling
Awareness to sociological aspects: culture, traditions, laws, evolution of societies

Main themes

Identifying the specificity of rangeland systems
Description of the ecological and agronomical variability of rangeland systems
Modelling their functioning
Sociological and law aspects

Content and teaching methods

Definition of rangeland systems
Ecology of rangelands: ecological areas, climates, vegetation zones and kinetics, pasture mapping
Rangeland vegetation: research methods, annual herbaceous, perennial herbaceous and shrub species, main grass and legume species per ecological area
Production and productivity of rangelands: grazing types (free, herded, enclosed), use and effect of fire, fences, mineral blocks, drinking places, pastoral planning
Grazing animals: breeds, genetics, management of grazing animals, balance between forage supply and demand, animal survey and monitoring
Pastoral societies
Land tenure and law aspects of rangelands
Pastoral crisis

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Precursory courses Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Applied ecology, Farming systems, Plant production
Supplemental courses Grassland production
Evaluation Oral examination at the end of the period, reports
Support Book, Powerpoint presentation, living collections
Teaching team Teacher

Other credits in programs