The multifunctional role of linear features in traditional silvopastoral systems: the sabana de morro in Dolores (El Salvador) and the pastures with carob trees in Ragusa (Italy)

Abstract

Traditional agro-silvo-pastoral systems are becoming each day more important, representing multifunctional systems that can contribute to the preservation of agrobiodiversity and of traditional knowledge and associated culture, to the wellbeing of local communities and to sustainable development of rural areas, as testified by the increasing interest regarding the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Despite many researches on traditional agro-silvo-pastoral systems tend to focus only on land uses and land use changes, is also important to analyse the different features that characterize cultural landscapes, as well as to produce detailed spatial maps, in order to preserve and valorise these systems as a whole. The paper intends to compare two traditional silvopastoral systems in two different continents and environments: sabana de morro (El Salvador) and pastures with carob trees (Italy), considered as good example of biocultural diversity. Both these sites are characterized by extensive cattle breeding in a hot climate under the shade of trees, whose fruits can also integrate the animal diet. The study analyzed the traditional landscape structure, with particular attention to the presence of linear elements, that act as property divisions and as ecological corridors, contributing to biodiversity at landscape scale. Sabana de Morro is characterized by a complex system of hedges that enhances the variety of species, while an extensive network of dry-stone walls divides the Sicilian pastures with carob trees. These two different types of linear elements created thanks to the local farmers’ knowledge are made of different materials but can play a similar ecological and social function, acting as a division between one pasture and another, as a delimitation of property boundaries, and are necessary to allow a correct pasture management. Despite the differences, these two traditional linear features deeply characterize the landscape structure and fragmentation, creating important microhabitat for many animal and vegetal species and a network of ecological corridors. For these reasons the conservation of linear features should be promoted at planning level, as well as their restoration. Thanks to the applied methodology, it was possible to identify peculiarities and vulnerabilities of linear features and of the systems as a whole, so that it will be possible to create effective management and conservation tools.

Pastoralism and Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean Region

“…For instance, Alary et al (2019) analyse the dynamics of agropastoral systems in Egypt, France and Morocco. Further articles have a more global perspective and provide comparisons between Mediterranean countries and those from other world regions (Ocak et al, 2016;Venturi et al, 2021). For example, Venturi et al (2021) investigate the multifunctional role of the features that characterize cultural landscapes of traditional agro-silvo-pastoral systems in the Mediterranean and Latin America viz.…”

“…Further articles have a more global perspective and provide comparisons between Mediterranean countries and those from other world regions (Ocak et al, 2016;Venturi et al, 2021). For example, Venturi et al (2021) investigate the multifunctional role of the features that characterize cultural landscapes of traditional agro-silvo-pastoral systems in the Mediterranean and Latin America viz. the sabana de morro in Dolores (El Salvador) and pastures with carob trees in Ragusa (Sicily, Italy).…”

“…It seems that the impacts of pastoralism on ecosystems in general and biodiversity in particular depend on the pastoral system. In fact, while many scholars highlight the role of pastoralism in biodiversity loss, others point out that pastures are rich in biodiversity (De Miguel, 1999;Bagella et al, 2016;Venturi et al, 2021). For instance, Venturi et al (2021) point out that traditional silvo-pastoral systems in El Salvador and Sicily (Italy) help "creating important microhabitat for many animal and vegetal species and a network of ecological corridors".…”

“…In fact, while many scholars highlight the role of pastoralism in biodiversity loss, others point out that pastures are rich in biodiversity (De Miguel, 1999;Bagella et al, 2016;Venturi et al, 2021). For instance, Venturi et al (2021) point out that traditional silvo-pastoral systems in El Salvador and Sicily (Italy) help "creating important microhabitat for many animal and vegetal species and a network of ecological corridors". Focusing on Central Anatolia (Turkey), Ocak (2016) and Ocak et al (2016) suggest that by practicing agro-ecological principles over millennia, transhumant pastoralists have helped to shape a complex mosaic of habitats, reduce erosion, improve soil quality and deter the likelihood of forest fires.…”

Agricultural heritage systems and agrobiodiversity

“…This agrobiodiversity is still crucial for ensuring food security and nutrition to local communities and, at the same time, local farmers are the main actors for in situ preservation of local landraces (Pandey et al 2022). In addition, it is evident how some traditional anthropogenic structures build by local farmers for territorial organization and for improving their agricultural activities, such as living fences or dry-stone walls, have a key role for local biota, creating extensive ecological networks in traditional agricultural or pastoral landscapes, as demonstrated by the study comparing the linear features of sabana de morro (El Salvador) with pastures with carob trees (Italy) (Venturi et al 2021).…”