Adapting camel husbandry to climate extremes: health and economic consequences in El Oued, Algeria

Abstract

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are indispensable to pastoral livelihoods in El Oued, Algeria, a hyper-arid region facing intensifying climate extremes. This study evaluates the interplay of climatic stressors, herd management practices, and economic outcomes in camel husbandry, integrating field data, geospatial analysis, and statistical modeling. Employing a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling, we utilized semi-structured interviews and direct observations across 50 camel households, complemented by veterinary health assessments of 150 camels. Data collected over 12 months revealed extreme environmental conditions and suboptimal management, with nearly half of the herds housed in poor shelters and receiving sporadic veterinary care. Geospatial indices; including Land Surface Temperature (LST > 40 °C) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI ≤ 0.30), confirmed severe thermal stress and sparse vegetation. Despite these spatially verified hyper-arid conditions, statistical models indicated that aggregate climatic variables were not strong direct predictors of mortality, highlighting the camels’ inherent biological resilience. However, Time Series Analysis (ARIMA) confirmed significant seasonal mortality spikes during summer heatwaves. Economically, while high operational costs threatened sustainability, consistent milk yield served as a critical financial buffer. Larger herds also demonstrated slightly better survival rates, pointing to the protective role of scale and management. This study underscores the need for adaptive strategies enhanced veterinary services, climate-resilient shelters, and water management to safeguard camel productivity and pastoral livelihoods. By bridging field observations with geospatial innovation, our findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners in arid regions globally.