What is transhumance and its benefits

Transhumance is a traditional grazing practice that consists of the seasonal movement of livestock between different grazing areas. This movement seeks to take advantage of natural resources in a sustainable way, using grasslands in high or mountainous areas during the summer and low or warmer areas in winter. Transhumance has been practiced for centuries in different parts of the world, adapting to the climatic and geographical conditions of each region.

From an ecological point of view, transhumance plays an important role in the conservation of ecosystems. By distributing livestock in a balanced manner in different areas, overgrazing is avoided, which can degrade soils and affect biodiversity. Additionally, the constant movement of livestock helps disperse seeds, which encourages plant regeneration and plant diversity. This process also helps keep landscapes open, preventing the proliferation of bushes that could increase the risk of forest fires.

Transhumance is classified into different types depending on the region, climatic conditions and routes used:

• Vertical transhumance: it is the most common type and is characterized by the movement of livestock between areas of different altitudes. During the summer, herders drive livestock to mountainous areas, where temperatures are cooler and pastures are abundant. In winter, they descend to warmer valleys or plains, where the climate is milder and food is still available. This type is common in mountainous regions such as the Alps in Europe, the Andes in South America or the Himalayas in Asia.
• Horizontal transhumance: the movement of livestock occurs between regions that are at the same altitude level, but that have different climatic or ecological conditions. For example, there may be movements towards wetter areas during the dry season and towards arid or semi-arid areas during the rainy season. Horizontal transhumance is typical in regions where plains or large areas predominate, such as in North Africa or certain parts of Central Asia.
• Coastal transhumance: this type of transhumance occurs in coastal areas, where livestock move between areas near the sea and inland areas. Generally, coastal areas are used in winter due to the more moderate climate, while inland areas are exploited during the summer. It is found in regions such as the Mediterranean, where climatic conditions vary greatly between the coast and the interior.
• Cross-border transhumance: in some cases, transhumance routes cross international borders. This type of transhumance is common in regions where ecological conditions are not limited to a single country, such as nomadic pastoralists in the African Sahel or those who move between Spain and Portugal in Europe.

Transhumance provides a series of benefits that cover ecological, economic, cultural and social aspects:

Ecological benefits

• Conservation of biodiversity: by moving livestock between different areas, overgrazing is avoided and the regeneration of pastures and ecosystems is promoted.
• Prevention of forest fires: transhumant grazing contributes to the control of vegetation, reducing the accumulation of dry matter that could become fuel for fires.
• Soil improvement: The movement of livestock and their excrement enriches the soil with nutrients, promoting its fertility and helping to prevent erosion.
• Reduction of emissions: by being based on sustainable use of natural resources, transhumance emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to intensive livestock farming.

Economic benefits

• Efficient resource use: Pastoralists can use pasture areas that would otherwise remain dormant during certain seasons.
• Sustainable food production: meat, milk and other products derived from transhumant livestock are usually of high quality and produced sustainably, which gives them added value in the market.
• Cost reduction: By relying less on processed foods and purchased fodder, pastoralists significantly reduce their operating costs.

Cultural benefits

• Preservation of traditions: transhumance is part of the cultural heritage of many regions.
• Identity and community connection: the practice of transhumance reinforces the sense of belonging and the transmission of knowledge between generations.

Social benefits

• Creation of rural employment: transhumance encourages economic activity in rural areas, helping to prevent the depopulation of these areas.
• Environmental education: transhumance promotes greater awareness about caring for the natural environment and the benefits of sustainable resource management.

Spain has a rich nomadic tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, when sheep farming was one of the country’s main economic activities. This practice has given rise to a historical network of paths known as real canyons, which extend throughout the territory.

The royal glens are the main routes by which shepherds move livestock between summer and winter grazing areas. These routes have a legal width of 75 Castilian varas (about 21 meters) and are protected by legislation to guarantee their traditional use. Among the most notable are:

• Cañada Real de la Plata (or Vizana): runs more than 500 kilometers from Asturias, in the north, to Andalusia, in the south. It is one of the oldest transhumant routes and connects the northern plateau with the warm pastures of the south.
• Cañada Real Soriana Oriental: connects the province of Soria with the Valencian Community, crossing Castilla y León, Aragón and the east of the peninsula.
• Cañada Real Leonesa Occidental and Leonesa Oriental: these routes connect the mountains of León with the Extremadura pastures, crossing Castilla y León and Extremadura.
• Cañada Real Segoviana: connects Segovia with the lands of Extremadura, passing through Ávila and Salamanca.

Transhumance is not exclusive to Spain, but rather it is a practice that has developed in different regions of the world, adapting to the geographical, climatic and cultural conditions of each place. Let’s see some of the places in the world where transhumance is practiced:

• Alps (Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria): In the Alps, transhumance takes place mainly between the valleys and mountains. This practice is closely linked to the production of cheeses such as Gruyère or Parmesan.
• Balkans (Greece, Albania, North Macedonia): shepherds move between mountainous areas and coastal plains.
• Scotland (Highlands): Shepherds move sheep and cattle between the highlands and lowlands depending on the seasons.
• Himalayas (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan): Pastoral communities, such as the Gujjars and Bakarwals, practice transhumance in the Himalayas.
• Central Asia (Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan): in these regions, transhumance is part of the nomadic lifestyle
• Tibet: Tibetan herders carry out transhumance adapted to high altitudes, moving yaks and goats to take advantage of the grasslands on the Tibetan plateaus.
• Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad): In this semi-arid region, transhumant pastoralists move their livestock between arid areas and wetter areas during the rainy season.
• East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania): Communities such as the Maasai practice transhumance to ensure access to water and pasture for their livestock in the savannahs and highlands.
• Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina): in the Andes, transhumance is associated with the herding of llamas, alpacas and sheep.

Now that you know what transhumance is, you may also be interested in this article on Regenerative Agriculture: what it is, principles, examples and advantages.

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