What is transhumance and its benefits

Transhumance is a traditional grazing practice that consists of seasonal displacement of cattle between different grass areas. This movement seeks to take advantage of natural resources sustainably, using pastures of high or mountainous areas during the summer and of 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 the ecological point of view, transhumance plays an important role in the conservation of ecosystems. By distributing the cattle in a balanced way in different areas, overparation is avoided, which can degrade soils and affect biodiversity. In addition, the constant movement of cattle Helps disperse seedswhich encourages the regeneration of plants and plant diversity. This process also helps to keep the landscapes open, preventing the proliferation of thickets that could increase the risk of forest fires.

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

• Vertical transhumance: It is the most common type and is characterized by the displacement of cattle between areas of different altitude. During the summer, the shepherds take cattle to mountainous areas, where temperatures are cooler and pastures are abundant. In winter, they descend to warmer valleys or plains, where the weather is more benign and the food is still available. This type is frequent in mountainous regions such as Alps in Europe, the Andes in South America or the Himalayas in Asia.
• Horizontal transhumance: The movement of cattle occurs between regions that are at the same level of altitude, but that have different climatic or ecological conditions. For example, there may be displacements to more humid areas during the dry season and towards arid or semi -arid areas in times of rain. Horizontal transhumance is typical in regions where plains or extensive areas predominate, such as in North Africa or certain parts of central Asia.
• LITORAL TRANSMANCE: This type of transhumance occurs in coastal areas, where cattle move between areas near the sea and interior areas. In general, coastal areas are used in winter due to the most moderate climate, while the interior lands are exploited during the summer. It is found in regions such as the Mediterranean, where climatic conditions vary greatly between the coast and interior.
• Cross -border transhumance: In some cases, transhumant routes cross international borders. This type of transhumance is common in regions where ecological conditions are not limited to a single country, such as the nomadic shepherds of the African Sahel or those that move between Spain and Portugal in Europe.

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

Ecological benefits

• Biodiversity conservation: When moving cattle between different areas, overparation is avoided and the regeneration of pastures and ecosystems is promoted.
• Forest fire prevention: Transhumant grazing contributes to the control of vegetation, reducing the accumulation of dry matter that could become fire fuel.
• Soil improvement: The movement of cattle and its excrement enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting its fertility and helping to prevent erosion.
• EMISSION REDUCTION: When based on sustainable use of natural resources, transhumance emits less greenhouse gases compared to intensive livestock.

Economic benefits

• Efficient use of resources: Pastors can use grass areas that would otherwise be inactive 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 an added value in the market.
• Cost reduction: By depending less on processed foods and bought fodder, transhumant shepherds significantly reduce their operational costs.

Cultural benefits

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

Social benefits

• Rural employment creation: Transhumance encourages economic activity in rural areas, helping to prevent the depopulation of these areas.
• Environmental Education: Transhumance promotes greater awareness about the care of the natural environment and the benefits of sustainable management of resources.

Spain has a rich transhumant tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, when sheep livestock was one of the country’s main economic activities. This practice has resulted in a historical network of roads known as Real Cañadasthat extend throughout the territory.

The royal ravines are the main roads that the shepherds move the cattle between the summer and winter grazing areas. These routes have a Legal width of 75 Castilian rods (about 21 meters) and are protected by legislation to guarantee their traditional use. Among the most prominent are:

• Cañada Real de la Plata (or Vizana): It travels 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 southern pastures.
• Cañada Real Soriana Oriental: It joins the province of Soria with the Valencian Community, crossing Castilla y León, Aragon and the east of the Peninsula.
• Cañada Real Leonesa Western and Eastern Leonesa: These routes connect the Lion mountains with the Extremaduran pastures, crossing Castilla y León and Extremadura.
• Cañada Real Segoviana: Segovia connects with the Extremaduran lands, passing through Ávila and Salamanca.

Transhumance is not exclusive to Spain, but it is a practice that has been 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 is mainly done between the valleys and the mountains. This practice is closely linked to the production of cheeses such as Gruyère or Parmesan.
• Balkans (Greece, Albania, Macedonia del Norte): Pastors travel between mountainous areas and coastal plains.
• Scotland (highlands): Pastors transfer sheep and cattle between the highlands (highlands) and casualties (lowlands) according to the stations.
• Himalaya (India, Nepal, Bután, Pakistan): The pastoral communities, such as the Gujjars and the Bakarwals, practice transhumance in the Himalayas.
• Central Asia (Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrguistan): In these regions, transhumance is part of the nomadic lifestyle
• Tibet: Tibetan shepherds carry out a transhumance adapted to high altitudes, moving yaks and goats to take advantage of grasslands in tibetan plateaus.
• Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad): In this semi -arid region, transhumant shepherds move their cattle between arid areas and wetter areas during the rainy season.
• Eastern Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania): Communities such as Maasai practice transhumance to guarantee access to water and pastures for cattle in the savannas and highlands.
• Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina): In the Andes, transhumance is associated with the grazing of flames, alpacas and sheep.

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

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