Sheep farming intensification and utilization of natural resources in a Mediterranean pastoral agro-ecosystem |
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| Authors: | JL Riedel I Casasús A Bernus |
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| Institution: | aCentro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón. P.B. 727, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain |
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| Abstract: | The research was carried out in the “Sierra y Cañones de Guara” Natural Park, a protected mountain area located in the Central Pyrenees (Huesca, Spain). In this territory, a notorious recession of agricultural activities has been observed in recent decades, which has originated changes in the type and intensity of land utilization and, simultaneously, led to environmental and landscape degradation.The main goal of this research was to analyse what characteristics of the current sheep farming systems could explain different patterns of utilization of the grazing resources. Information was obtained through direct interviews with all sheep farmers that used the grazing resources of the Park in 2000 (n = 53). Specific information on grazing management (grazing areas, grazing periods, number and type of grazing animals) was collected together with data on family characteristics, labour, flock management, land use, continuity, recent changes in farming and farmers opinions. Principal Components Analysis was used to examine relationships among original variables. Farming systems were then characterized in four homogeneous groups using Cluster Analysis. Finally, a Logistic Regression allowed determining relationships between the level of intensification of management and several social and technical features.Intensification of farm management was linked to the type and intensity of land utilization: the higher the intensification of the reproduction system the shorter the grazing period and the lower number of grazing animals. Besides, chances of continuity were critical in some groups of farms, especially in some of the most extensive ones, while many farms with good chances of permanence showed more intensive management strategies but lower utilization of grazing resources. In this type of agro-ecosystems, rural development policies with conservation purposes should focus on farming systems with more environmentally desirable management strategies, and consequently enhance their chances of continuity. |
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| Keywords: | Sheep farming intensification Farm continuity Grazing management Technology adoption Environment |
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