Crop livestock integration at landscape level in Mediterranean: a comparative analysis

Previously sheep fanning in French Mediterranean re lied on forage resources combination from contrasted component of landscape (Sylva, Saltus and Ager), mixed far m was the pivot. Specialization at farm and local levels reshape crop livestock integration (CLI): Cash crop specialization for plains, urbanization of the coast, withdrawal in hinter land for specialized sheep farms. Crop and livestock integration is now at stake at territory level to increase forage self-sufficiency, efficiency in resource consumption and adaptation to global change. We distinguish three ways for CLI: vicinity grazing on cash crop field s (Y.G.), distant winter grazing (D .G.) in vineyard s of coastal zone, distant production of w inter forage (D.F.) on removed peri-urban vineyard of plain. VG rely on inter-individual relationships inherited from traditional social organization, decreasing and of limited perspectives due to disintegration of rural communities and local specializations. DG is based on mobility and a wide social network. It is an adaptive way of integration with a high ability to catch opportunities, even ephemeral ones. Large size flocks are concerned all ow in g in return their enlargement. Farmers get access to a wider range of social relations and forage resources. It doesn't contribute in explicit territorial development schemes. D.S. limit purchases in forage input for small size mountain livestock farms. This cooperative action connects a group of farmers with stakeholders of coastal area to initiate actions based on win-win interest. For farmers it redefine activity in line with the stakes of agro-ecological transition. Sustainability relies on the evidence that farmer 's activities on coastal zone are more than a service delivery, for which others could be more efficient. It needs to be aware of equilibrium between the two poles of farming (mountain and plain). The sustainability for recoupling at land scape level relies on territorial and non-sectorial policies that have to be more strongly stated