Wildfires and pastoralism: Sicily is the number one region in Italy suffering from wildfires every year. The reason for this lies in two main factors: the vulnerability of the landscape and human practices of setting fires. The first point can be traced back to an unfortunate mismanagement of land use, intensive agriculture, deforestation, dysfunctional ecosystems (lack, mono- or overpopulation of large
herbivores), and increasing desertification. The second reason – human activity – however is a much more complex socio-economic tissue to unweave. Firstly it is to state that more than 70% of wildfires are arson, while the rest are accidental
or unclassified. The so-called natural wildfire is practically absent in Sicily with lower than 0,2% on average annually. Why do people set fire to the landscape? Motivations may vary, but most wildfires can be linked to pastoralism. Shepherds or livestock managers burn land for pasture renewal, clearing the land of
undesired plants useless as fodder, avoiding vegetation succession in order to maintain pasture and demonstrating power over the territory deriving from an archaic pastoralist culture. This combination is fatal to any regeneration and conservation activities in Sicily.
Food system integration: What if shepherds were the stewards of a fire fighting brigade instead? Food system integration might show the way forward:
Livestock provides vital ecosystem services through grazing: seed dispersal, fuel reduction (e.g. dry grass or forest understory), soil fertilisation, habitat creation for other species, and the creation of mosaic landscapes. Livestock in harvested cereal fields further reduces the need for farmers to clear burn their fields after harvests and therefore prevents accidental wildfire spreads. When used well,
grazing is immensely beneficial to food systems. If shepherds benefitted from forests and vegetation other than pasture, they would be less inclined to burn these areas. Traditional silvo-pastoral systems such as chestnuts and pigs give a hopeful glimpse into a possible future. Further, shepherding has become conomically precarious and highly dependent on EU subsidies. A diversification of products therefore provides better livelihood for livestock managers and hence
decreases the urge to burn. Shepherds have been heavily marginalised also due to the increasing archaic culture and obvious link to wildfires. Combining food systems with pastoralism can be a powerful tool to lift social stigma
which in return helps shepherds to move out of the outcast role as arsoner.
The ultimate goal is bringing back into balance the ecosystem services grazing can provide and turn pastoralism from the main cause of wildfires to the forefront fighters against them.
With the project we propose, we want to create a pilot model which can be adopted by other shepherds and livestock managers. We’d like to lead by positive examples showing a way into a regenerative future combining traditional shepherding, permaculture food systems and alternative economic models – united in the fight against wildfires in Sicily.
Holistic grazing model: Holistic grazing management is an approach to land management that involves careful planning and management of livestock grazing to mimic natural patterns of grazing and rest. It aims to improve
the health and productivity of grasslands by mimicking the grazing patterns of wild herbivores, which can lead to improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and better water management. Holistic grazing management involves rotating livestock through di erent areas of the pasture, carefully managing the timing and intensity of grazing, and using a range of strategies to improve soil health, such as planting cover crops and minimising soil disturbance. The goal is to create a sustainable and regenerative system that benefits both the land and the animals that graze on it. This model has not been implemented on a large scale in Sicily yet, however holds huge potential for a regenerative pastoralism. We’d like to implement a pilot at the 14 hectare land and monitor results closely especially on their impact for anti-wildfires.
Food Forest: Integrating a food forest following permaculture practices seems to be the most suitable option to create a food integration system. We are much aware of the challenges arising from working with goats and their potential destructive capabilities. However, we take examples from permaculture leaders such as Tony Gilfedder or Lea Harrison who have implemented great designs using goats.
Mutual benefits: A food forest system combined with a holistic grazing model with goats holds great mutual benefits for both, such as:
Benefits provided by grazing goats:
● Habitat creation (grazing provides pasture for other species, as well for fauna as for flora e.g. orchids; and trampling in a water rich terrain forms puddles suitable for amphibia)
● Grazing as ecosystem service and beneficial act as grasses co-evolved with grazers (goats release not only growth hormones through their saliva but also stimulate the grass growth by
mechanically cutting it)
● Fire breaks are formed through mosaic creation and fuel reduction
● Seed dispersal is provided by the droppings of goats throughout the terrain
● Fertilisation (directly through dung and indirectly e.g. wool, bones which can be used as processes fertiliser)
Benefits provided by a food forest system:
● Additional fodder for animals especially in periodic low pasture availability (late summer and winter)
● Diversification of products for farmer and higher economic income while risk reduction
● Wind breaks through trees and vegetation
● Protection against soil erosion through increased roots
Elements: The specific elements to be used in the design will be defined throughout the action. However, there are some essential considerations to make when designing a
grazing and food forest system such as plant types and structural elements.
Plants to be used:
● Annual and perennial leguminous plants
● Sugary pods such as those of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) and of the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) (in summer);
● Tagasaste (Cytisus proliferus)
● Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana or Gynerium argenteum)
● Oaks, chestnut and walnut trees for rich fodder in autumn and winter (leafs as well as fruits)
● Aspen and willow trees for foliage
Structures to be used:
● Double fenced stripes (see image 02)
● Single tree fencing (see image 03)
● Movable electric fencing for moving livestock around
● Fenced vegetable garden
● Rotation system (see image 01)
