Pastoralism

A livelihood strategy based on moving livestock to seasonal pastures primarily in order to convert grasses, forbs, tree leaves, or crop residues into human food. The search for feed is however not the only reason for mobility; people and livestock may move to avoid various natural and/or social hazards, to avoid competition with others, or to seek more favorable conditions. Pastoralism can also be thought of as a strategy that is shaped by both social and ecological factors concerning uncertainty and variability of precipitation, and low and unpredictable productivity of terrestrial ecosystems.