Pastoralist Conservation: Local Ecological Knowledge and Collective Action for Grassland Conservation in Sierra de Segura (Spain)

Pastoralist Conservation: Local Ecological Knowledge and Collective Action for Grassland Conservation in Sierra de Segura (Spain)

Even if Pastoralism is not practised anymore by a majority of families in the Sierra de Segura (south-eastern Andalusia, Spain), it is still considered a paradigmatic way of life and management of its highlands and a key cultural heritage deeply rooted in local identity. In this article we explore two pastoral communities of this region, Santiago and Pontones, with their body of situated knowledge of the territory and natural resources, which helps pastoralists to organize their livelihoods, while requiring collective organization to manage access to grasslands. Through an ethnographic research based on participant observation and in-depth interviews, we explore the knowledge system, practices and institutions relevant for the use and maintenance of mountain pastures. The results show how local governance strategies and management of pastures are organized, among other drivers, to be able to adapt over time to change. On the other hand, collective actions have a notable social component to enable access to pastures. However, the community faces challenges for its sustainability such as environmental change, low generational turnover and the diminishing presence of women, very particularly in pastoralist practice and decision-making.