Land exclosures

Land exclosure, in an area being used extensively for grazing, is a limited area from which unwanted browsing animals, such as domestic cattle or wildlife such as deer, are excluded by fencing or other means. Wood harvesting is usually not allowed  while the area is set aside for regreening and restoration.  

Land exclosures refer to the practice of fencing off an area of land to exclude humans or livestock from entering it. This practice has been found to be effective in limiting land degradation and improving soil health. Here are some examples:

• Grassland Exclosures: Grasslands are often overgrazed by livestock, which can lead to soil erosion and degradation. Exclosures can be used to limit grazing in these areas, which allows the vegetation to recover and the soil to regenerate. In Mongolia, for example, a project called "Grassland Protection and Management" was implemented to create exclosures in grassland areas to reduce grazing pressure and improve soil health.

• Rangeland Exclosures: Rangelands are areas of land used for grazing by livestock. However, overgrazing can lead to soil degradation and desertification. Exclosures can be used to limit grazing in these areas and allow the vegetation to recover. In Kenya, the African Conservation Centre has implemented exclosures in rangeland areas to reduce overgrazing and improve soil health.

• Forest Exclosures: Forests are often cleared for timber or agricultural purposes, which can lead to soil erosion and degradation. Exclosures can be used to protect forests and allow them to regenerate naturally. In Nepal, the community-based forest management program has implemented forest exclosures to protect the forests and improve soil health.

• Watershed Exclosures: Watersheds are areas of land that drain into a common waterway. Overgrazing and other activities in watersheds can lead to soil erosion and sedimentation of the waterway. Exclosures can be used to limit these activities and improve water quality. In China, the "Grain for Green" program has implemented watershed exclosures to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation in the Yellow River Basin.

In conclusion, land exclosures can limit land degradation by reducing overgrazing, allowing vegetation to recover, protecting forests, and improving water quality.

Chech the machine learning collection of papers on this topic: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/exclosure