Mobile Pastoralism Has An Indispensable Role Against Wildfires
Nomadic pastoralism, as practiced by the Sarıkeçili family in Turkey, plays a crucial role in wildfire prevention. Grazing reduces biomass, thereby decreasing fire fuel. Abandoning pastoral practices increases fire risks, making this traditional method vital for environmental health and wildfire mitigation.
This spring, we are accompanying the Bacak family of Sarıkeçili nomadic pastoralists in Turkey during their hundreds of kilometres of spring migration from their wintering site on the shores of the Mediterranean to their summering sites in Central Anatolia, beyond the Taurus Mountains. Their journey highlights various dimensions of mobile pastoralism as a biodiversity and climate-friendly cultural practice. We are excited to share our in-situ observations day by day, each focusing on a particular aspect of mobile pastoralism.
Mobile pastoralism is one of the most cost-effective methods of preventing wildfires. Grazing on natural rangelands reduces the biomass that, if left untouched, becomes fuel for fires. Year after year, wildfires devastate the Mediterranean, causing immense economic, social, environmental, and cultural losses. One root cause of these fires is the abandonment of pastoral practices, leaving biomass that was once consumed by animals to accumulate and fuel wildfires.
Lands managed by pastoralists are less prone to wildfires due to the reduction of understorey vegetation. Additionally, mobile pastoralists play a crucial role in maintaining migration corridors that help prevent the spread of wildfires. Their practices are vital for reducing the risk and impact of wildfires, showcasing the importance of sustaining mobile pastoralism for environmental health and safety.
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