The Pastoralism in the Silesian Beskids (South Poland): In the Past and Today

Abstract

The Silesian Beskids (Poland), the westernmost part of the Carpathian Mountains is an area with long pastoral tradition. For centuries sheep grazed in clearings located among forested ridges have been an integral part of the mountain landscape and pastoral customs have become essential elements of regional cultural heritage. In the chapter, the history and the current state of pastoralism in the Silesian Beskids are presented. The specific pastoral system developed in the region, based on annual migration of flocks between summer highland and winter lowland pastures is described. Local breeds and specific regional sheep products are depicted. Furthermore, the importance of pastoralism for the environment, landscape and plant biodiversity is analysed and efforts to recover sheep grazing in the mountains after a period of a deep recession caused by social and economic transitions connected with the collapse of the communist system are presented. The approach to restoration of pastoralism is illustrated using a case study of a pastoral centre which combines traditional sheep grazing with cheese production, education and several activities to promote pastoral tradition.

Reducing Plastic in Consumer Goods: Opportunities for Coarser Wool

“…The pastoral practice of the Polish mountain sheep farmers is deeply rooted in the local culture [1,104] as is other wool production worldwide [109]. Other than the mention of wool duvet making as a tradition upheld by the producer interviewed, cultural aspects of sustainability are lacking in the empirical data.…”

“…The starting point for this study is coarse wool from Polish mountain sheep [1]. This is particularly coarse wool that is not being used.…”

“…Only a small amount of European sheep are reared for milk production [22]. This is the case of the Polish mountain sheep [1]. Maintaining the milk quality does not allow for breeding for wool qualities to any significant extent.…”

The Contribution of Environmental and Cultural Aspects of Pastoralism in the Provision of Ecosystem Services: The Case of the Silesian Beskid Mts (Southern Poland)

“…The abandonment of traditional agriculture can lead to the creation of fallows and waste land. For instance, due to harsh climatic conditions, a short vegetation period, steep slopes prone to water erosion and a lack of fertile agricultural land, the only option except for afforestation is pastoralism [12].…”

“…The first inhabitants from the lowlands appeared in the region only in the 13th century. The newcomers settled in the Beskid valleys and cultivated easy-to-grow crops such as rye, barley, flax and peas [12]. The first grazing animals were cattle but after the arrival of Wallachian settlers, sheep and goat grazing became a tradition of this region [13,14].…”