Effect of rock bunds on the regeneration of the vegetation of a natural pasture on open glacis in the Sahelian region of Burkina Faso

This study was carried out to evaluate the durability of rehabilitation and effectiveness of rock bunks on native pasture and fodder on a glacis in the Sahelian region of Burkina Faso (Yakouta area between Dori and Djibo). The study shows that the application of the technique increases soil coverage (2.2 to 3.9 times) and fodder production (+ 697 kg DM/ha in September). The diversity is improved as a consequence of the technique as the plant species number increases 1 to 1.8 times. Evolution of vegetation appears to be very dependent on rainfall distribution, position in the topography and soil characteristics of the study sites. During the six years of measurements, fodder production varied 1.5 times as a consequence of variation in rainfall. Concerning the evaluation of annual production costs, the profit margin is 17,144 FCFA (26.136 euros) in the trial area and 9,153 FCFA (13.954 euros) for the control, demonstrating that rehabilitation using rock blinds can increase farmer benefits. Through this study, we show that the main parameters of fodder production are improved for a long time by rock blind technology in this type of vegetation unit.