Sustaining indigenous Maasai Alalili silvo-pastoral conservation systems for improved community livelihood and biodiversity conservation in East African rangelands

Acknowledgments We owe our special gratitude to the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Tech- nology for granting the permission to conduct this research work. We are also very much indebted for the permit (2022-222-NA-2022-005 dated 20th April, 2022) we got from COST- ECH, TAWIRI, TAWA, NCAA, and Local government authorities of each district for allowing access to Alalili systems within rangelands throughout the study area. We would also like to acknowledge the field and support team - Mr. Emmanuel Mboya (Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority-TPHPA), Mr. John Erasto Sanare (Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute), Mr. Neovitus Siang’a and Mr. Kirerenjo Mereso (Tanzania People and Wildlife), Ms. Cather- ine Maembe, Mr. Emmanuel Lorru, Mr. Nganana M. Papalay and Mr. Lomayani Lukumay (District Game Officers), Mr. Birikaa R. Olesikilal, Mr. Danstan Mndolwa and Mr. Mamus Toima (District Rangeland Officers). Author Contributions Conceptualization: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Data curation: Elkana Hezron. Formal analysis: Elkana Hezron. Funding acquisition: Elkana Hezron. Investigation: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Methodology: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Project administration: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Resources: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Software: Elkana Hezron. Supervision: Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Validation: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi.

Visualization: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Writing – original draft: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. Writing – review & editing: Elkana Hezron, Issakwisa B. Ngondya, Linus K. Munishi. References 1. Goldman MJ, Riosmena F. Adaptive capacity in Tanzanian Maasailand: Changing strategies to cope with drought in fragmented landscapes. Glob Environ Chang. 2013; 23: 588–597. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.02.010 PMID: 25400331 2. Hezron E, Munishi LK, Ngondya IB. Characterisation of Maasai Alalili Silvo-Pastoral Conservation Sys- tems of Northern Tanzania: The Final Project Report-Rufford Foundation; Nelson Mandela African Insti- tution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania. 2023. Available: https://ruffordorg.s3. amazonaws.com/media/project_reports/37388-1_Detailed_Final_Report.pdf 3. Saruni K. Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Rangeland Governance in Northern Indigenous Knowl- edge Systems and Rangeland Governance in Northern Tanzania. Tanzanian J Popul Stud Dev. 2019; 23: 1–21. 4. Nassoro Z. Evaluation of nutritive value of browse tree fodder species indigenous to Kiteto and Kongwa districts (Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation of the University of Dodoma, MSc. Disserta- tion). The University of Dodoma. 2014. PLOS ONE Sustaining Alalili systems in rangelands of East Africa PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303649 May 16, 2024 20 / 24