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Pastoralism (EPS_11)

DGIF baseline 2026-1, the latest. Earlier baselines: timemap.

RDF: eps_11.ttl

Name
pastoralism
Attribute
EPS Economic Production System
Definition
The care and raising of domesticated herd animals utilizing multiple pasturages, often at different elevations, throughout a yearly cycle.
Description
Pastoralism is based on the care of animals characterized by the movement of animals between different pastures. There are two forms: 'nomadic pastoralism', where the entire group moves with the animal herd, and 'transhumance pastoralism', where herder(s) move the animals while the remaining group remains at a home location. Nomadic pastoralists probably forage for food grains, and typically engage in some degree of commerce (sale of animals) to purchase grain foods. Transhumance pastoralists (sometimes called agro-pastoralists) have a non-herding portion of the social group, which practices horticulture as an important dietary supplement. Transhumance pastoralists include sheep and goat herders and are still found in many regions of Europe. Technically, open range cattle ranching (with cowboys) is a form of transhumance pastoralism. Pastoralists are distinct from commercial livestock ('feed lot') production. Pastoralism is a primary sector economic activity.
Accepted
2016-06-08
Defined by
NFDD 6.1
Allowed for

Source: DGIF 2026-1 QEA model, DGIWG. Standard: DGIWG 206-3. Licence: CC BY 4.0, © DGIWG.