LIVESTOCK MOBILITY AND DEGRADATION IN KAZAKHSTAN'S SEMI-ARID RANGELANDS

摘要

Kazakh pastoralists formerly followed long-distance migratory routes each season. This was continued with state farm support during the Soviet period. After the collapse of state farms in the mid 1990s, most pastoralists were constrained to graze their animals in circuits around villages, as they could not afford to undertake seasonal migrations. Pasture degradation has resulted. Small-scale village-based livestock owners rely on their animals mainly for subsistence. Compared to large-scale owners, they gain higher rates of economic returns per head of animal owned. Large-scale owners have returned to moving their animals to distant pastures, and their animals are heavier as a consequence. These types of owners can achieve economies of scale, but they have high actual costs of moving animals.