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African rangelands are changing rapidly due to land use change, the erosion of traditional social institutions, and increasing concern about extreme events. These changes pose a challenge to the resilience of pastoral people, their herds, and the rangelands that they inhabit. Despite these changes, debates in academics and policy continue about the optimal herd size to maintain pastoral livelihoods while avoiding environmental degradation. In this study, we draw from 33 focus group discussions with Maasai men and women in northern Tanzania to explore herd size preferences for coping with extreme events. Study participants expressed a preference for larger herds, with the primary rationale being enhanced ability to cope with drought and other extreme events. Those with large herds are better able to sell a few animals, and this money can directly benefit the family and help feed the rest of the herd through purchasing supplemental feed in the form of pumba, crop residues, or access to farmland for grazing crop residues. These findings highlight new pathways and reasons that large herds can be useful. Chief among these is having enough animals to sell to buy supplemental feed and yet sustain a viable herd. Recognizing the cultural importance of livestock to Maasai along with local perspectives on livestock herd numbers will help in supporting culturally relevant adaptation policy and practice. For example, policies and projects could focus on enhancing resilience through facilitating the saving and storing of crop residues or helping maintain livestock prices during extreme events. 

This study examines the lived experiences and adaptation strategies of small-scale farmers in the southwestern Brazilian Amazonian state of Rondônia, amidst escalating climate challenges. Through nine in-depth interviews, it uncovers the impact of unpredictable weather, increased temperatures, and shifting precipitation on agriculture and livelihoods. Participants, ranging from family farmers to agricultural collective members, detail shifts from traditional crop cultivation to more resilient practices like cattle ranching and dairy production. The narratives reveal a deep understanding of local climate volatility and its direct effects on water availability, crop viability, and livestock productivity. Farmers describe adaptation measures including new crop varieties, irrigation systems, and strategic land use to enhance biodiversity and mitigate climate change effects. Despite these adaptations, challenges like water scarcity, high input costs, and the need for technical assistance remain prominent. Farmers emphasize the need for stronger support systems, highlighting community solidarity, governmental aid, and access to sustainable technologies and education as essential for climate adaptation. They call for policies providing equitable resources and support, underscoring the importance of inclusive climate governance that acknowledges the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of Rondônia’s agricultural sector. This research contributes to understanding how climate change reshapes rural Amazonian communities, arguing that ongoing deforestation and climatic changes threaten regional agricultural stability. It advocates for targeted policy interventions to provide technical assistance for sustainable farming and climate adaptation, alongside mechanisms to support fair market pricing. These measures are essential for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of local farming communities amidst climate change. 

These data are used to understand the impact of land retirement on pesticides in Kern County, California. For details on the analysis, please see