Final answer:
Pastoralist societies gain access to land through formalized ownership, government allocations, or communal traditions, while horticultural societies typically operate under usufruct rights granted by community leaders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contemporary pastoralist societies primarily obtain access to land through customary rights, which can include formalized land ownership, governmental allocations, or communal traditions. Horticultural societies, on the other hand, often use land through a system of usufruct rights where land is held in trust by community leaders and allocated to individuals. These land access methods stem from historical and cultural practices, and are heavily influenced by environmental conditions, societal needs, and governmental policies. In some cases, governments have created competition among pastoral groups and individuals to gain title to communal rangelands. Additionally, in areas with marginal soils or unpredictable rainfall, pastoralism is utilized, often in symbiosis with neighboring farming communities.