Economic and ecological constraints on sheep management in the Algerian steppe

Abstract An 11-year survey conducted in the wilayas of Djelfa, Msila and Biskra reveals two contrasting flock management strategies adopted by Ouled Djellal sheep breeders, shaped by ecological as well as economic factors. Breeders in Djelfa raise an average of 12 ewes per ram, while those in Msila and Biskra raise an average of 28 ewes per ram. This has led to a higher production of lambs/ewe/year in Djelfa than in the other two wilayas. To understand the significance of these strategies, two hypotheses were tested. According to ecology, we expected that in Djelfa, pasture productivity was higher than in the Biskra and M’sila, as a result of higher annual rainfall and hence pluviothermic coefficient Q3. We compared the altitudinal distribution of two stocking rates to pluviothermic coefficients. The ecological view was supported by higher Q3 in Djelfa than in Biskra and M’sila for higher stocking rates. However, the overall degradation of the steppe was, also, more pronounced in Djelfa than in the other two wilayas. In addition, GLM models have shown the impact of climatic parameters on the survival of lambs and adults. From an economic point of view, the higher lamb/ewe production in Djelfa is underpinned by increased marketing facilities, with: i) a strong demand for sheep by the inhabitants of the North, ii) a favorable geographical location, as Djelfa is crossed by the main roads of Algeria linking the South and the capital located in the North, and iii) the presence of the main sheep markets of the country. This study highlights the impact of environmental variables on the management practices of livestock farmers, and points the way for further studies of this type, which are essential as practices will have to adapt to climate change.