Enhancing Coviability Through an Eco-Pastoral Approach, the European Project LIFE + MIL’OUV

Assuming that the continuation of pastoralism (Pastoralism includes all livestock breeding activities which extensively graze, the sources of fodder spontaneously supplied by natural areas, in order to provide all or part of animal feed. [Association francaise de pastoralisme, @: pastoralisme.net]) goes together with the conservation of open environments, one of the objectives of the program LIFE + MIL’OUV (www.lifemilouv.org) combines naturalist and zootechnical skills. For this aim, the specialists in animal husbandry and field ecology involved in this program, worked with breeders to identify ways and means for an optimized management of these environments. The method is succinctly discussed here to illustrate a cross-analysis of the viability of animal husbandry and that of the natural environment. This construction process seems also useful to create and maintain a common culture between domains too often evolving, separately, whereas reciprocal benefits could be obtained. Indeed, better management means both an optimal use of the resources available for herds, and the maintenance by the pastoral practices in these areas of high heritage value. The presentation of four systems of animal husbandry met during the project and their trajectories, highlights these reciprocal benefits: a rangeland can be considered as a reserve of grass for the herds or as an environment with challenging conservation stakes but the viability of one cannot be achieved without the other.