This study contributes to the global understanding of the border sharing rangeland states to enhance cross-border cooperation by establishing joint forums to work on environmental and natural resources, so as to use them sustainably. International boundary making has influenced cross-border pastoralists’ access to environmental resources in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderland. Lack of inter-state institutions that facilitate pastoralists’ mobility to access environmental resources across the borders has affected their livelihoods. However, ethnic social networks and indigenous institutions have facilitated environmental-resource use beyond borders in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderland.

This research contributes to our understanding of how shrubs influence soil fauna. Shrubs increased alpha diversity, but decreased beta diversity of soil fauna. Shrub effects differ among different taxonomic groups of soil fauna. The results of this work also provide valuable data and analyses that will contribute towards furthering the knowledge and information about arid and semiarid grassland ecosystems.

Mountain grasslands, where livestock and wildlife potentially compete, are key areas for both biodiversity protection and livestock production. Livestock overgrazing has significantly lessened resource availability for wildlife, and in some cases has led to desertification in arid and semiarid grasslands. A balance between wildlife conservation and existing animal husbandry is possible with careful planning that considers the needs of both. Quantifying livestock carrying capacity is a key issue, with a large number of techniques and studies are available.