An Ecological Test of the Tragedy of the Commons on Communal Rangeland in the Moroccan Western High Atlas

Author

Lloyd Mendes, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-1991

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Department name when degree awarded

Range Science

Committee Chair(s)

Brien E. Norton

Committee

Brien E. Norton

Abstract

I empirically tested an hypothesis derived from a popularized version of Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons" paradigm. Some range-development authors predict overgrazing and ecological abuse on all traditional communal rangelands. I estimated forage production, consumption, and season of use on one traditional agdal or intertribal common in the Moroccan Western High Atlas Mountains. Results from 1984-85 do not support the overgrazing predicted by "tragedy" proponents. I argue that the lack of overgrazing is not coincidental but is due to the traditional communal mechanism of controlling season of use.

Checksum

ddbaddda7927c59ce9b1172924be07d6

Recommended Citation

Mendes, Lloyd, "An Ecological Test of the Tragedy of the Commons on Communal Rangeland in the Moroccan Western High Atlas" (1991). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 8938.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/8938