Agropastoralism in the Mountains
Agropastoralism is based on an agricultural system closely linked to natural environments. Herds use different areas called grazing lands (meadows, high-altitude grasslands, or heathlands) depending on the season. This rotation structures agricultural activity throughout the year and has helped shape the landscapes over the long term.
To learn more, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Pastoral Network and its partners have developed Pasto Késako, a resource site on mountain pastoralism (information, tools, etc.):
In mountain regions, this practice is traditionally associated with transhumance. In the spring, herds move up to the alpine pastures before descending back into the valleys in the fall (processes known as “emmontagnées” or “démontagnées” in our regions). This seasonal rhythm allows for the successive use of different areas while giving the natural environments periods of rest and regeneration.
This system is based on a direct relationship between livestock farming and natural habitats. The animals feed on the vegetation and thus help maintain open spaces by limiting the encroachment of scrub. In turn, their manure contributes to soil fertility, and the preservation of open habitats supports a wide diversity of animal and plant species.
The "edge" effect
The edge effect, also known as the boundary effect, refers to what occurs at the boundary between two different natural environments, such as between a forest and a meadow, or between an alpine pasture and a wooded area.
In these transitional areas, light, humidity, wind, temperature, and soil composition gradually change along a gradient of varying extent. These variations create specific conditions capable of supporting species native to both original habitats, as well as species specialized for transition zones. As a result, forest edges often harbor greater biodiversity than either habitat taken separately.
In the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley, agropastoralism is now the dominant agricultural activity. The alpine pastures are used for various livestock-raising activities: dairy production, heifers, beef cattle, and sheep. Livestock farmers can manage these areas individually or through collective organizations, entrusting their animals to pastoral groups for grazing. Maintaining this practice in the region helps keep the landscapes and hillsides open. The mosaic of meadows, heathlands, and wooded areas is directly linked to the use of grazing lands and the practice of transhumance.
However, changing agricultural practices, local topography, and even the return of the wolf are now contributing to changes in this practice.
Local governments are supporting these changes by assisting livestock farmers and helping them adapt their agricultural practices (for more information: Alpagiste). They are implementing initiatives designed to maintain agropastoralism and manage grazing lands effectively, while balancing landscape conservation with economic and ecological concerns.
Alpine pastures and meadows: a shared space
The presence of herds goes hand in hand with guard dogs. Their role is to defend the animals against predators, and their behavior can be surprising.
To learn more about How to React When Encountering a Guard Dog?
Staying on the trails is essential. Straying from the path or entering a field damages the soil and vegetation. Over time, this leads to erosion and the degradation and depletion of the forage resources needed to feed the herds.
Finally, mountain areas are places for living, working, and enjoying nature. It’s important to remember that you’re always on someone’s property when hiking in the wilderness: alpine pastures and mountains belong to private owners, ranchers, municipalities, or the Department.
To learn more about agropastoralism, feel free to visit the Maison du Lieutenant
Did you know?
AFP, consortages… the organization of alpine pastures in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley
In the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley, the use of alpine pastures has historically been organized around what are known as “mountains ”: groups of land parcels demarcated and collectively managed by consort members. Examples include the Montagne de Balme, the Montagne de Charamillon, and the Montagne de la Pendant—names generally associated with the consortages of the same name.
Each member holds one or more shares in one or more consortages. These shares, known as “fonds de vache, ” historically correspond to all the resources necessary for raising a cow on the alpine pastures (grazing land, sheepfold, equipment, etc.). They serve to organize the internal governance of the consortages and are generally passed down through inheritance. In particular, they confer the right to use alpine pasture plots, or, in the past, to “inalper” a cow on the communal pastures.
Even today, the consortages and the “mountain” management system remain very much alive in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley:
- Some of them are grouped within the region’s two Pastoral Land Associations (AFP): Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Vallorcine (the latter being an AFPF that also addresses forestry issues).
The AFPs are recognized collective organizations that serve as an essential tool for the planning and management of rural and mountain areas. They promote information sharing and the development of joint projects, and act as key points of contact for government agencies. They can also secure specific funding that is not available to individuals. - Several “mountains” are also part ofthe Association of Alpine Pastures of the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley (AAVC), which works to raise awareness of these areas and their management practices. Work is currently underway in collaboration with the Valcom Chair at the University of Savoie Mont-Blanc on the concept of the commons.
