Managing the summer alpine pastures in a context of recurrent droughts
Résumé
Since 2003, livestock farming systems using summer pastures in the French Alps have faced several droughts. A survey was conducted among 35 livestock farmers and shepherds in the Vercors Massif aiming at a better understanding of their perception of drought consequences on pastoral activities and on the way they adapt alpine pastures management. Following modes of adaptation were observed: decrease in grazing pressures (stock numbers and time spent on alpine pastures), increase in the grazing area allotted to animals (new sections of grazing land) and better use of the existing resource (through shepherds' technical know-how and new equipment). We identified five main types of adaptation, depending on the initial level of forage resources used, both on the alpine pastures and on the farmstead. Pastoral management requires flexibility, particularly since other environmental and heritage issues as well as constraints (predation ) also have to be taken into account.
Domaines
Sciences de l'environnement
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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