A snapshot of transhumance in Spain: a diverse group of shepherds facing shared challenges
The first socio-productive characterization of transhumance in Spain from an agroecological perspective identifies three types of transhumance systems in the country and demonstrates their relationship to ecosystem sustainability.
The UN has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, highlighting this ancient practice that is carried out in over 100 countries and on which between 200 million and 1 billion people depend. Beyond its economic value, pastoralism makes essential environmental, social, and cultural contributions that are crucial for conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Within pastoral-based systems, transhumance also plays a fundamental role in the socio-ecological sustainability and vitality of rural areas. This is an age-old practice that involves the seasonal migration of herds, which are moved by herders to other areas in search of food and more favorable climatic conditions.
In this context, a team led by the Institute of Sociology and Rural Studies at the University of Cordoba presents the first socio-productive characterization of transhumance systems in Spain from an agroecological perspective, covering their economic, productive, sociocultural, political, and governance-related aspects. "With this study, we aimed to provide information, evidence, and testimonies on transhumant livestock farming, which we see as a living heritage of immense cultural, social, and ecological value offering key insights into how to interact with our ecosystems in a truly sustainable way and how to produce our food," explained the study's lead author, Francisco Lagos Susaeta.
The results of this in-depth analysis of transhumance in Spain provide relevant information to understand its current viability and importance. The data show that there is great diversity among Spanish transhumant herders, but that they share a common cultural and practical foundation, shaped by political, economic, and ecological pressures and circumstances.
"Our work provides cross-cutting, up-to-date information on a system that, although valued in public discourse, lacks current, detailed data. We assessed the alignment of transhumance practices with the agroecological principles defined by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition, and found that transhumance is highly consistent with agroecological principles related to ecosystems, such as nutrient recycling, input reduction, soil health, and the promotion of biodiversity, while also demonstrating high resilience to external pressures, such as agricultural intensification policies, market volatility, and climate change," Lagos explained.
The study , based on 84 interviews with transhumant herders from 8 regions of Spain, was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. A qualitative analysis of the interviews' content made it possible to identify the most common views or findings among the interviewees on ecological, production-related, economic, political, and social issues. Using a quantitative methodology based on descriptive statistics and multivariate statistical analysis, we were able to identify three groups of transhumant herders with distinct characteristics.
Three groups of Spanish transhumant herders
The three groups of transhumant herders described are mainly associated with the livestock trails and the areas where they carry out their activities: one group is linked to the ancient droving road known as the Cañada Real Conquense, (Cuenca, Ciudad Real and Jaén), another to the Cañada Real Segoviana (Segovia), and the third to the Santiago-Pontones route in Jaén. The first group (with a mean age of 55 years) undertakes longer transhumance migrations, with larger herds that are mixed in terms of species. The second group is younger, with an average age of 47, and focuses on cattle, especially the Avileña Negra Ibérica breed. They undertake shorter transhumance migrations than the first group and have more diverse and direct sales channels for their products. Finally, the third group practices transhumance mainly between the Sierra de Segura and Sierra Morena mountain ranges. They mainly keep sheep, with herds that are smaller than those of the other groups, and they are more involved in industry associations.
The findings of this paper, published in Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy , show that, although transhumance is a highly resilient system that is essential for the conservation and functionality of ecosystems, and provides food of extremely high nutritional and cultural value, there is an urgent need for greater political support and a regulatory framework that protects it, adapts to its specific characteristics, improves the working and living conditions of transhumant livestock farmers, and ensures generational succession.
Reference
Lagos-Susaeta, F., Rivera-Ferre, M. G., Gallar, D., Morales-Reyes, Z., Pérez-Ibarra, I., Durá-Alemañ, C. J., Oteros-Rozas, E. (2026). Socio-productive characterization and agroecological analysis of transhumance in Spain. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy , 22 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2026.2627081
Sustainability Science Practice and Policy
Observational study
Not applicable
Socio-productive characterization and agroecological analysis of Spanish transhumance
30-Jan-2026