Resilient Approaches in Natural ranGeland Ecosystems

Residents of northern Kenya's semi-arid rangelands face numerous challenges, including climate variability, land degradation, and resource conflicts. Their livelihoods are largely dependent on livestock with seasonal herd migration being a main mechanism to ascertain sufficient food and water intake for their animals. However, frequent droughts, flooding, erosion, disease outbreaks, and proliferation of non-palatable invasive species jeopardize the sustainable provision of sufficient levels of ecosystem services to meet the needs of the various pastoral groups, while armed conflict over scarce resources is common.

To strengthen the livestock sector and enhance the sustainable management of rangelands in northern Kenya, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya is funding a 5-year (2024-2028) €15 million project called RANGE (Resilient Approaches in Natural ranGeland Ecosystems). The project targets Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu counties and is led by the non-governmental organization Mercy Corps in partnership with a) the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), a regional economic bloc in Kenya composed of County governments, and b) the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC). Recognizing the need that effective decision-making requires high-quality data on rangeland conditions and use, ITC’s contribution focuses on supporting and improving existing Earth observation solutions for obtaining such data, both leveraging on in-situ (sensors, surveys) and satellite-based sources. RANGE will also build capacity at county and sub-county level to enhance spatial planning through data collection and analysis. Beyond the consortium partners we engage in active collaboration with county governments, mandated governmental institutes (e.g. DRSRS, NDMA), local universities, research organizations, and conservancies.

The RANGE project integrates capacity building with research, supporting five PhD and eleven MSc students from Kenya. Their research will strengthen institutional partnerships and contribute to sustainable development in the region.

RANGE (Resilient Approaches in Natural ranGeland Ecosystems) is a five-year project (2024-2028) funded by the Dutch Embassy in Kenya. It aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) in the Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu counties. This will be achieved through multiple interventions and capacity building activities. The project intends to improve rangeland management, promote sustainable production methods, strengthen government structures, and stimulate better-informed decision making through research and resulting evidence. ITC's research component combines local knowledge with earth observation solutions (satellite and in-situ sensors) and geospatial techniques. It is carried out in part through scholarships to local PhD and MSc students. RANGE also intends to build strong partnerships with other institutions, building upon ongoing local and national initiatives.