Question

What happened to the animal stock when pasture lands were turned into cultivated lands?

Answer 1

As pasture lands got shrunk, the existing animal stock had to feed on whatever grazing land remainded. This led to continuous intensive grazing of these pastures. Usually nomadic pastoralists grazed their animals in one area and moved to another area. These pastoral movements allowed time for the natural restoration of vegetation growth.

When restrictions were imposed on pastoral movement, grazing lands came to be continuously used and the quality of pastures declined. This in turn created a further shortage of forage for animals and the deterioration of animal stock. Underfect cattle died in large numbes during scarcities and famines.