The Conquense transhumance route in Spain described by 3D geographical information systems, GPS and remote sensing data

Abstract

In semi-arid regions, such as the Mediterranean, seasonal changes in climate make the migration of ruminants essential for the efficient use of ecosystemic primary productivity. Transhumance is one of the oldest sheep husbandry systems which contributes to the conservation of natural biodiversity and to minimize the effects of climate change on livestock production. However, its use has decreased substantially, mainly because of livestock intensification. In Spain, particularly, interest in maintaining the traditional transhumant network has increased. Geotechnologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) might provide important information about the drove roads of the transhumant network. Therefore, in this study, we used several geotechnologies that described accurately and in detail the path followed by several sheep flocks and cattle herds in eastern Spain. Specifically, we monitored a Merino de los Montes Universales (MMU) sheep flock on the well-known Spanish Conquense route in Nov 2021. The flock traveled 349.8 km and climbed a total elevation of 1223 m in 23 days, moving 9–10 h per day. Maximum and minimum daily distances traveled were 19.06 km and 8.85 km, respectively, and the steepest slopes were encountered in the first few days of the journey, up to 60 %. The preferred land use/land covers (LU/LC) were scrublands, rainfed herbaceous crops, and rangelands. Indirectly, the study demonstrated the outstanding physiological aptitude of the MMU breed for withstanding the long journey, even when pregnant.