Rimsha Malik, ’21, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Rimsha Malik ’21

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Impact of Grazing Regimes on Rangeland Quality and Wildlife and Livestock Use

Presentation Link

View Rimsha's Presentation

Certificate(s): Neuroscience

I worked on an ongoing research project studying the effectiveness of silage (stored grass used as animal feed) in improving cattle gut microbiomes and preventing illness during the transition between the dry and wet seasons. My research group and I worked with privately held and communally owned cattle, collecting data on grazing behavior, weight, and their movement using GPS. Additionally, we examined the impact of cattle grazing on the presence of wildlife and the quality of the land by setting up camera traps and collecting data on the surrounding vegetation. Cows have a strong presence at Mpala and share the land with wildlife. Thus, it is important to understand how cattle can be raised sustainably to ensure that both local communities, wildlife and the environment thrive. Through this internship, I acquired valuable field research skills and improved my understanding of the interconnectedness of livestock, wildlife and people. I was struck by how something as small as cow-gut microbiology can affect the livelihoods of pastoralists.