Livestock Exclosures

Livestock exclosures restrict access to land, ensuring that browsing animals and vehicles are excluded by fencing or other means. This allows vegetation, soil microbiota, and/or biocrusts to re-establish themselves naturally, and reduces disturbances that can generate dust emissions in vulnerable areas. While post-and-wire fences are the most common method of restricting livestock access, alternatives include adjusting grazing practices, using virtual fences or scented ropes, planting chilli gardens, and establishing living fences, such as thorn bushes. However, these alternatives may carry risks, including the potential spread of invasive species, and may not be practical in all management contexts. Exclosures are most commonly used in the management of livestock and rangelands, but can also be employed to control access to sand dunes, playas, and other areas where soil disturbance increases wind erosion.

Exclosures allow for the natural re-establishment of vegetation. The upfront and maintenance costs depend on the type of fencing used and the level of livestock traffic it must withstand. Standard post-and-wire fences often have moderate initial costs (approximately AUD 2,000 to 7,000 per km), with little ongoing maintenance required. In conjunction with revegetation, this practice can generate significant environmental benefits as biodiversity habitats are protected from disturbance. To further maximise these benefits, closed areas can be designed to connect habitats (stepping stones) to facilitate the movement of native species and access to common agricultural and pastoral lands.

Case Studies

In the Amhara region of Ethiopia, community-based exclosures have enabled the natural regeneration of degraded communal grazing lands. This process requires continuous dialogue and discussion within the community to reach a consensus. Key questions that arose were: who will be responsible for protecting and managing the restored natural resources? And how will benefits be shared among users? In this case, the common goods were hay for livestock, obtained through a cut-and-carry system, timber from the plantations, and honey, all of which were produced and shared through a system of collective user rights.

In Ibseta Uduga, Ethiopia, the local government launched a project to restore degraded woodlands and overgrazed grasslands by creating an exclosure. A group of women and landless young people was formed to manage the project and initially generated income by harvesting and selling grass. However, as tree cover increased, grass growth declined due to shading, poor tree management, and restrictive local bylaws. In 2019, the initiative was revived by providing training in tree management, farmer-managed natural regeneration, diversified natural resource use, and business planning. The local government also updated bylaws to make them more supportive of sustainable land management, erosion control measures, and biodiversity conservation, which significantly improved livelihoods.

References and Good Practice Guidance

• Review of area exclosure practices for sustainable land management and erosion control in Ethiopia
• Enclosures as a land management tool for food security in African drylands
• Fencing for conservation: restriction of evolutionary potential or a riposte to threatening processes?
• A field study of the surface disturbance effects of animals and motor vehicles on aeolian sediment emission from a silty playa surface
• Iowa State University Estimated Costs for Livestock Fencing
• Greener Land Exclosures