Rangeland degradation in southern Tunisia is driven by climate change, rising livestock numbers, land fragmentation, and complex tenure systems. The decline has been intensified by the abandonment of Gdel, a traditional grazing practice that rested rangelands to prevent overgrazing. Since the early 1990s, the Tunisian government has introduced the resting technique as a national improvement strategy of private rangeland, enforcing a three-year grazing ban accompanied by subsidized animal feed for pastoralists. This technique has also been adopted in the communal rangelands of Dhaher Beni Khedach, Governorate of Medenine, in the framework of the IFAD-funded project “PRODEFIL”.
The main goal of resting is to promote the gradual establishment and long-term persistence of perennial species with high pastoral value in different types of rangelands. However, studies show that resting almost always leads to a noticeable increase in annual vegetation, particularly during the first year. Therefore, if weather conditions are favorable, it is recommended to introduce light grazing from the second year onward, timed to coincide with the peak growth of annual plants. This approach helps reduce competition between annuals and perennials, supporting the successful development of the more valuable perennial species.
In Dhahar of Beni Khedache in southern Tunisia, in several sites, the resting technique seems unlikely to be effective in restoring irreversibly degraded rangeland to its original ecological state, including native plant communities, soil health, and ecosystem processes. This may be due to a depleted soil seed bank or the presence of seeds with low pastoral value. In such cases, rehabilitation through reseeding with species of high pastoral value may be considered. The success of this approach depends on specific site conditions, such as areas favorable for germination (e.g., wadies, ravines, or depressions receiving runoff) or after applying techniques that enhance soil water retention while minimizing deep soil disturbance, particularly on slopes and hillside soils.
ICARDA in collaboration with the Institute of Arid Regions (IRA) and the Regional Commissariat of Agricultural Development (CRDA) of Medenine, organized two participatory workshops under the Multifunctional Landscape Megaprogram and IRA MONALISA project to strengthen and further develop participatory approaches to innovation in rangeland restoration and sustainable management using nature-based solutions. The workshops were held respectively on 29 August and 15 December 2025 in the meeting room of the community-based organization “Agricultural Development Group (GDA)”. The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers (from the Institute of Arid Regions and ICARDA), development practitioners (from CRDA and Office of Livestock and Pasture of Medenine), agro-pastoral associations (GDA Dhaher Beni Khedache, agro-pastoralists, and livestock breeders. All participants were actively engaged in action research and development processes by adopting and testing nature-based Solutions (NbS) that encompass actions to restore and sustainably manage rangeland ecosystems while delivering economic, social, environmental, and biodiversity benefits. Targeted and ambitious investment in
NbS is essential, given the critical role that intact and diverse ecosystems play in climate regulation and in reducing the impacts of climate change.
The main outputs of this workshop were:
– A better understanding of the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), which are largely inspired by traditional practices and local environmental conditions, is essential. NbSs represent one of the most effective approaches for simultaneously addressing biodiversity loss while supporting climate adaptation and mitigation objectives. Their successful deployment requires greater recognition of their value, inclusive stakeholder engagement at the territorial level, and strong political leadership to ensure their integration into climate strategies and spatial planning. This integration is key to enabling long-term responses to increasing climate risks, such as more frequent and erratic droughts and extreme heat waves.
– Conducting a pilot experience of rangeland restoration based on integrated technical package combining water harvesting structures to capture and store runoff during rainfall events and reseeding indigenous pastoral species, well-adapted to the harsh local conditions of extreme temperatures and frequent droughts.
– The GDA of Dhaher Beni Khedache offered a communal rangeland site covering an area of 50 ha for testing this pilot restoration operation. CRDA of Medenine was responsible for establishing different water harvesting systems (semi-circular shape, contour lines, and gabions check dams). Research institutions (IRA and ICARDA) were responsible for developing the experimental design, providing native plant seeds, and implementing the reseeding, as well as monitoring the experiment.
Following the implementation of the planned water harvesting structures, which were designed based on detailed topographic surveys and an assessment of soil characteristics, a series of field activities were conducted in November 2025. After the first autumn rainfall, a total of 12 perennial native species were seeded. These comprised one tree species (Vachelia tortilis), five shrub species (Periploca angustifolia, Rhus tripartita, Atriplex mollis, Retama raetam, and Ziziphus lotus), four chamaephyte species (Rhanterium suaveolens, Helianthemum lippii, Salsola vermiculata, and Thymus vulgaris), and two Fabaceae species (Anthyllis henoniana and Argyrolobium uniflorum).
Contributing Scientist:
Dr. Azaiez Ouled Belgacem, Rangeland Ecology and Management Senior Scientist, ICARDA Dr. Mongi Ben Zaied and Ines Romdhane, IRA Medenine/MONALISA project
In collaboration with:
Mohamed El Messai, Sassi Mahdhi and Mokhtar Lamloumi, CRDA Medenine
Ridha Kerdaoui, Head of the GDA Dhaher Benikhedache
