| Resum: |
In the face of considerable socioeconomic and environmental challenges, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) systems around the world continue to be practiced and maintained. This study examines how three traditional pastoral practices, mobile grazing, herd breeding, and herd sharing, persist and change in East Ujimchin Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Based on nine months of fieldwork, including household surveys, interviews, and participatory mapping workshops, we analyze how these practices have evolved under environmental and socioeconomic pressures. Mapping data from 30 households shows that all continue some form of seasonal or spatial mobility, though the frequency and range of movement have significantly declined because of restricted land access. Survey results from 227 herders show that over 80% recognize 26 out of 31 traditional breeding traits, and more than half still actively use 19 of these traits. Beyond their persistence, these practices are multifunctional, fulfilling diverse ecological, economic, and cultural roles. Our results show that herd sharing is used not only to support families in need, but also to address land shortages, labor constraints, and adaptation to severe climatic events, while simultaneously contributing to the preservation of cultural traditions. Additionally, our results show that these practices serve overlapping functions, particularly regarding climate adaptation. During extreme weather events, mobile grazing enables herders to access more favorable pastures; selective herd breeding ensures livestock are better able to withstand weather conditions; and herd sharing allows herders to redistribute livestock to mitigate potential losses. Together, these practices demonstrate the dynamic adaptability and continuous relevance of TEK in a rapidly changing context. |
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identificació
(Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
