Transhumant GPS tracked sheep flocks from lowlands to highlands in Spain: grazing resources use and difficulties of walking/herding

Barrantes, O. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Reiné, R. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Blasco, I. ; Betrán, R. ; Olaizola, A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Mora, J.L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ramo, M. ; Ferrer, C. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The need for preserving walking/herding transhumance drove roads on the Iberian Peninsula hasbeen widely recognized, as they provide a wide range of ecosystem services. In spite of the decline of walkingtranshumance in Spain, some drove roads are being reactivated due mainly to the high price of lorrytransport and feeds for livestock. The objectives of this work were: (i) develop a method to track the transhumantflocks in order to know the route followed and detail the type of pastures that the sheep use during thetrip; (ii) know the main difficulties of the activity, either technical, economic or social. Collars with GPS wereinstalled around the neck of some animals of five transhumant flocks. The data provided by GPS were analyzedby a GIS and overlapped with pastures/vegetation maps. For each flock, interviews with the farmersprovided data in terms of difficulties for the activity to be continued. The method provided highly accurate dataof the routes. The main types of vegetation used by sheep and main difficulties perceived by the farmers tocontinue the activity are summarized.

Idioma: Inglés

Año: 2016

Publicado en: Options méditerranéennes. Série A: séminaires méditerranéens 116 (2016), 347-350
ISSN: 1016-121X

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/289328/EU/Crops and ANimals TOGETHER/CANTOGETHER

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Econom.Sociol.Polit.Agra. (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)
Área (Departamento): Área Producción Vegetal (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)
Área (Departamento): Área Edafología y Quím.Agríco. (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)