Rangeland ecosystems cover over forty per cent (40%) of the earth’s land surface and are home to more than 38% of the world’s population. In Africa, rangelands comprise two-thirds of the land area and support about fifty per cent (50%) of the continent’s human population. Rangelands make a significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of most countries in the developing world, particularly in terms of livestock and livestock products, food grains and tourism-related activities.

Accelerated land degradation and desertification through soil erosion, depletion of soil fertility, overstocking, deforestation, and poor management of water resources are issues of great concern to environmentalists, researchers, academia, policymakers and governments. The Master of Science in Land and Water Management was launched in 1986 to meet the need for training and research in strategies for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of land and water resources.

The Society for Range Management defines a rangeland as: "Land on which the native vegetation (climax or natural potential) is predominantly grasses, grass-like plants, or shrubs” (SRM 1989). They are lands which due to certain environmental limitations, such as low and erratic precipitation, low soil fertility, shallow or rocky soil, or steep slopes; they are not fit for conventional rain-fed agriculture.