A global characterization of pastoral mobility types

Abstract

Pastoral mobility is an integral part of pastoralist livelihoods and is a key element for its sustainability. It is nevertheless subjected to different disruptive threats, which highlight the need to understand it at the global level. A global typology of different pastoral mobility types can help understanding the local benefits it provides and advance protection strategies that take into account the local circumstances, but it is currently missing. Here we present a classification of a total of 12 types, based on the combination of biophysical and land tenure factors. We discuss the applicability of the typology to different pastoralist systems and show the further use it has for understanding pastoralist systems, developing comparable sustainability indicators, and promote positive policies to sustain pastoral mobility worldwide.