Computational Research on Mobile Pastoralism Using Agent-Based Modeling and Satellite Imagery

Authored by Takuto Sakamoto

Date Published: 2016

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151157

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: Python

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: https://github.com/takutos/nomads

Abstract

Dryland pastoralism has long attracted considerable attention from researchers in diverse fields. However, rigorous formal study is made difficult by the high level of mobility of pastoralists as well as by the sizable spatio-temporal variability of their environment. This article presents a new computational approach for studying mobile pastoralism that overcomes these issues. Combining multi-temporal satellite images and agent-based modeling allows a comprehensive examination of pastoral resource access over a realistic dryland landscape with unpredictable ecological dynamics. The article demonstrates the analytical potential of this approach through its application to mobile pastoralism in northeast Nigeria. Employing more than 100 satellite images of the area, extensive simulations are conducted under a wide array of circumstances, including different land-use constraints. The simulation results reveal complex dependencies of pastoral resource access on these circumstances along with persistent patterns of seasonal land use observed at the macro level.

Tags

Management cattle West-africa Sub-saharan africa Nonequilibrium Land Senegalese sahel Herd movements Peace work Kenya