What is transhumance, and in what environments is it typically practiced?

• A. Seasonal movement of livestock between highland and lowland grazing areas
• B. Permanent relocation of farms to coastal regions
• C. Seasonal weather-driven crop rotation
• D. Intensive farming in river valleys

Answer: (A)

Transhumance is the seasonal movement of livestock between grazing areas at different elevations, typically moving to highland pastures in summer and back to lowland areas in winter. This pattern appears in environments where forage and water availability change with the seasons and altitude, so herders can access fresh grazing in the mountains when conditions are favorable and retreat to valleys when weather becomes harsh or pastures in the highlands dry up. It’s common in regions with clear seasonal contrasts and accessible highland grazing, such as mountainous areas of Europe, the Andes, the Himalayas, and parts of North Africa and Central Asia. This differs from permanently relocating farms, routine crop rotation driven by weather, or intensive farming in river valleys.