Is the pastoral production system compatible with the ecosystem sustainability ? — case of the tropical African Sahel

摘要

@@ Introduction The Sahelian Countries of Western Africa take many advantages of maintaining the pastoral system for economical, social and environmental reasons. Animal products, milk and meat, contribute to the food production and food security, they also provide an export capacity ; herds represent a considerable living capital ; animals offer a day to day support to populations living in the very extended pastoral and agropastoral areas ; being often the main source of income for them.