Reviving Al-Hima: Traditional knowledge and modern applications in dryland resource management

Abstract Rangelands are complex and globally important social–ecological systems, but are threatened by a range of social, economic and environmental issues. Traditional rangeland management systems such as Al-Hima may offer locally specific solutions to many problems facing rangelands, but are understudied and at risk of disappearance. Al-Hima has a long history in the Arabian desert region and a high relevance to global modern land management discussions, while facing the same threats as many traditional systems. This study consists of a literature review of traditional rangeland management practices globally and a documentation of Al-Hima as it is currently practiced in Jordan and from Bedouin Arab societies in the North Arabian desert, through published literature and recent semi-structured interviews with herding practitioners. It then discusses how lessons can be drawn from Al-Hima and applied to global rangeland management more broadly, for example, through the evolution of local traditions to suit contemporary contexts and a focus on sustainable, long-term yield rather than short-term production maximization. These and other lessons drawn from Al-Hima and traditional rangeland management in general offer lessons that are highly pertinent to rangeland managers today.