Preserving for the future the — once widespread but now vanishing — knowledge on traditional pig grazing in forests and marshes (Sava-Bosut floodplain, Serbia)

Abstract

Background Traditional knowledge is key for sustainability, but it is rapidly disappearing. Pig keeping in forests and marshes is an ancient, once widespread, now vanishing practice, with a major economic and ecological potential. The knowledge of pig keepers and the foraging activity of pigs are hardly documented. Methods We studied the knowledge of traditional pig keepers (svinjars) on wild plants and pig foraging on the Sava-Bosut forest-marsh complex in Serbia. We conducted picture-based interviews about 234 locally common and/or salient plant species, and participatory fieldwork (11 days) and visual observation (21 days) on pig foraging. Results 181 wild plant species were known by svinjars and 106 taxa were consumed by pigs. Svinjars knew well and could name most regularly foraged species. 98 species were reported by svinjars as foraged and 56 as not eaten. 28 species were observed by the authors as eaten regularly, while 21 were nibbled and 17 avoided. Contradictory information on foraging was rare both among svinjars (8 species) and between svinjars and researchers (7 species); several of these species were rare. Leaves of 92, fruits or seeds of 21 and ‘roots’ of 20 species were reported or observed as eaten, usually with high seasonality. Svinjars were overall observant, but knew little about some less salient species (e.g. Veronica, Circaea). The most common forages (reported and/or observed) were fruits (Quercus, fleshy fruits), grasses (Agrostis, Glyceria), herbs (Ranunculus ficaria, Circaea), nutritious ‘roots’ (Carex spp., Iris), young shrub leaves (Crataegus, Carpinus) and ‘tame’ plants growing in the sun (Persicaria dubia, Erigeron annuus). Traditional, now extinct pig breeds were reported as less selective and more ‘knowledgeable’ about plants, as they received less additional fodder. Svinjars learnt their knowledge since childhood, from community members, but long-term personal observations and everyday encounters with pigs were also important sources of knowledge. Conclusions A deeper understanding of pig foraging could contribute to using pigs in nature conservation management, resource management and organic farming, and to a better understanding of wild boar foraging. The knowledge of svinjars is a disappearing intangible cultural heritage of European importance. Knowledge holders deserve recognition, and legal and financial support to continue this tradition.

Plant species selection and impact on tree resprouts by semi-free ranging pigs in a temperate deciduous forest

“…Shrub species such as L. vulgare and E. europaeus, instead, were avoided by pigs in the understory (consumption ≤ 1%), probably because of the presence of toxic compounds (secoiridoid glycosides in L. vulgare and cardenolides in E. europaeus; Wink 2010). Also C. monogyna was avoided by pigs contrary to the findings of Molnár et al (2021), who reported, however, that this species was eaten only when leaves were young and spikes were soft.…”

“…Poisoning by R. pseudoacacia was documented in other livestock species, such as horses (Vanschandevijl et al 2010), whereas goats are able to forage on this protein-rich species, likely due to their greater ability to detoxify plant secondary metabolites (Papachristou and Papanastasis 1994;Giger-Reverdin et al 2020). Interestingly, also Molnár et al (2021) reported that swine did not consume R. pseudoacacia. Consequently, the resprouts of this fast-growing alien species can be hardly controlled by pigs, at least in the first season after cutting.…”

“…For instance, the farming of Iberian pigs in the Spanish dehesas and Portuguese montados is an excellent example of a multifunctional agroforestry system, whose value is well-recognized by the consumers of the derived animal products (Silva and Nunes 2013). Conversely, in temperate deciduous forests, outdoor pig farming has almost disappeared (Jørgensen 2013;Molnár et al 2021), despite it could provide multiple environmental and socioeconomic benefits in these habitats as well: pig grazing might be used for habitat conservation and restoration in degraded and abandoned forests (Mayle 1999;Molnár et al 2021); pig farming systems can support the conservation of local breeds, which are more suitable for forest farming than the commercial ones (Miao et al 2004); last but not least, meat products could be highly valued on the market due to their quality (Silva and Nunes 2013) and could respond to the increasing demand for higher animal welfare standards (Brownlow et al 2005).…”

“…Despite the potential positive effects of pig grazing in the deciduous forests of Europe, their foraging behavior in these environments has been poorly documented (but see Molnár et al 2021), while forest sustainable management and habitat conservation actions would profit from this knowledge. Indeed, the selection of plant species by livestock has direct consequences on vegetation composition and structure (e.g., Pittarello et al 2017;Pauler et al 2020).…”

A Biocultural Study on Gaoligongshan Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), an Important Hog Landrace, in Nujiang Prefecture of China

“…Their genetic resources are in danger of becoming endangered [ 16 ]. Previous studies on GP have primarily focused on genetic analysis and metabolomics at the genetic level [ 17 ], with less attention paid to systematic conservation studies incorporating the biocultural diversity dimension [ 18 ]. This study attempts to the perspective of the biocultural diversity approach to (1) investigate the traditional rearing and management experiences of GP reared by different ethnic groups such as the Lisu and Bai of Nujiang; and (2) reveal the biocultural significance of GP in local people’s diet, medicine, religion, and rituals, while pointing out the current difficulties faced, and proposing suggestions for future development.…”