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Research, Policy and Practice

Table 3 Livestock mobility patterns in study area (April through November)

From: Variability is not uncertainty; mobility is not flexibility: Clarifying concepts in pastoralism studies with evidence from Tajikistan

Group

Environmental context

Mobility response

Institutional arrangements

Type of variability

Predictability

Season

Description

Justification type

Local herds

Seasonal and altitudinal variation in temperature (including snowfall and snow melt)

Predictable; some temporal fluctuations ±2 weeks

Springa

Begin grazing of spring-fall pastures

Completing the set

Clearly defined territorial boundaries and user group. Grazing allowed until village leaders reserve land for fodder growth.

Summera

Move up to summer pastures

Completing the set

Clearly defined territorial boundaries and user group.

Rotating camps within summer pastures

Completing the set and diffusing pressure

Access through deed or temporary contract with deed-holder.

Falla

Return down to village to graze on spring-fall pastures

Completing the set

Clearly defined territorial boundaries and user group. Grazing allowed after fodder harvest.

Non-local herds

Seasonal and altitudinal variation in temperature (including snowfall and snow melt)

Predictable; some temporal fluctuations ±3 weeks

Mid-spring

Migrate from lowlands to summer mountain pastures

Completing the set

Clearly defined state-owned livestock migration routes open to all herds.

Intra-seasonal and altitudinal variation in temperature; grazing-induced variability in forage density

Summera

Rotating camps within summer pastures

Completing the set and diffusing pressure

Clearly defined territorial boundary and user group. Access through single-year contracts with State Land Committee.

Seasonal and altitudinal variation in temperature (including snowfall and snow melt)

Early fall

Return from summer mountain pastures to lowlands

Completing the set

Clearly defined state-owned livestock migration routes open to all herds.

Lowland pastures have clearly defined territorial boundaries and user groups. Access through deed.

  1. aThese mobility patterns are combined with daily grazing orbits. Daily grazing is a “diffusing pressure” response to grazing-induced variability in forage density which is predictable because it is caused by the herds themselves