Int. J. Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, Vol. 2, Nos. 2/3/4, 2016 193 On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance, through a dedicated web-GIS Konstantina Ntassiou* Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Neo Perivoli Larissa, 41500, Greece Email: kntassiou@gmail.com *Corresponding author Ioannis D. Doukas Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece Email: jdoukas@civil.auth.gr Iakovos Papadopoulos Forest Directorate of Chalkidiki, Polygyros 63100, Greece Email: iakwvospap@gmail.com Abstract: In the midst of today’s global energy and economic crisis, it is imperative that we turn to traditional practices which, assisted by modern technology, can offer sustainable and financial-savvy ways to support our efforts for economic development. Such a practice is transhumance, which shows a long historical background dating many centuries ago. The present study seeks to highlight this traditional activity with respect to its spatial evolution with the contribution of contemporary technological means such as GIS. In particular, an easy to use web-GIS application is proposed, built with ArcGIS™ software, in an environment easily accessible to either trained or untrained users. Aiming to the accurate visualisation of information in order the farmer to determine the most cost-effective design for own project of transhumance, the cartographic process proposed by this study, utilises sources of cartographic data in a layered virtual environment, where information is collected, processed, distributed, developed, analysed and accessed. Keywords: transhumance; livestock; web-GIS; maps; transhumance routes. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ntassiou, K., Doukas, I.D. and Papadopoulos, I. (2016) ‘On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance, through a dedicated web-GIS’, Int. J. Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, Vol. 2, Nos. 2/3/4, pp.193–205. Biographical notes: Konstantina Ntassiou is a graduate of the Department of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her postgraduate studies were on the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, at the Department of Civil Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. 194 K. Ntassiou et al. Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, AUTh. She received her PhD from the Department of Civil Engineering, Division of Geotechnical Engineering (Lab. of Geodesy and Geomatics), Faculty of Engineering, AUTh. Her scientific interests are geodesy, geoinformation systems and their applications. Ioannis D. Doukas is a Professor of Geodesy and Geomatics at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. His scientific interests are: geodesy/geomatics, geoinformation systems and their applications, geodetic and industrial metrology, geosensorics and sensor fusion, natural and manmade disasters (monitoring – analysis – decision support and management). He has participated in 17 research projects. He has authored/co-authored over 15 textbooks/notes, and 96 scientific papers. Iakovos Papadopoulos is a Civil Servant Supervisor Forester at the Department of Forest Management and Protection of Forest Directorate of Chalkidiki, Greece. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and MSc in Environmental Biology of Biology School, AUTh. He is a PhD candidate in Faculty of Forestry and Natural Environment in aesthetic landscape assessment through cognitive models, according to applied silvicultural treatments. This paper is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled ‘Exploring traditional routes of seasonal transhumance movements with the help of GIS. the case-study of a mountainous village in Southwest Macedonia, Greece’ presented at 7th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food and Environment (HAICTA 2015), Kavala, Greece, 17–20 September 2015. 1 Introduction Transhumant livestock is a goat and cattle rearing system, prevalent both in Greece and other Mediterranean European countries (Laga et al., 2012; Pardini and Nori, 2011). In particular, it is essentially a case of so-called ‘extensive livestock’ activity, which namely is based on the grounds of outdoor livestock grazing combined with natural pastures utilisation (Laga et al., 2003). Fundamentally, it serves the necessity of food resources for flocks and their protection against adverse seasonal weather conditions, such as harsh winter cold in the mountainous pastures and high summer temperatures in the lowland pastures, respectively (Ιspikoudis et al., 2002). In the context of this tactic, seasonal movement of flock and people has both historical and traditional characteristics and the respective paths are being crossed by numerous flocks, even today. Originating in the past routes and overnight spots or respite, known as lodgings (‘konakia’ in Greek) have been determined by either the flock needs or nature laws, describing the default route followed by livestock populations throughout available spatial area (Ntassiou, 2014). The main goal of this paper is two-fold: 1 to present the development of a ‘GIS-tool’, which shows the paths that are being (or have been) followed by transhumant sheep and goat flocks On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance 2 195 to point out the advantages of contemporary spatiotemporal [i.e., geographic information system (GIS)] technology to the service of young farmers who are dealing with transhumant livestock. By GIS is meant: a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data. The internet supports many services, with the web being one of these services. If the GIS operation uses web-technologies, it is called web-GIS. If the GIS operation uses many of internet-services (i.e., not only the web-service), then it is called internet-GIS. As experimental sites (i.e., as a study area) were selected the following1: • • Starting point: ‘Perivoli’-settlement was selected from current Regional Grevena Unity (Western Macedonia-area). This settlement is located on the eastern slopes of northern mountain-chain ‘Pindos’ (north of Valia-Calda area and south of the mountain Vasilitsa, near the ridge that separates the waters of ‘Aoos’-river and ‘Aliakmon’-river). The altitude of the area varies between 1,250 to 1,400 m. The population of this area has followed regular seasonal movements in most of its history. In order to reach different wintering-places (known as ‘winter pastures’) in Thessaly (i.e., the regional unit of Larissa and Magnesia territories), the ‘Perivoli’-settlement is the starting point of the seasonal moving of breeders and flocks in the early autumn. Destination points: two settlements were selected, to which seasonal movements took place using the traditional method (i.e., on foot, until the 1980’s or even today), the following: ‘Argyropouli’ (Regional Unity Larissa, flat country of ‘Titarissios’-river) and ‘Velestino’ (Regional Unity of Magnesia, east flat country of ‘Pinios’), respectively. Seasonal livestock movement takes place between these geographic areas (i.e., Western Macedonia – Thessaly), via routes and tactics used to ensure efficient grazing in order to satisfy the nutritional needs and transfer-safety of the animals (Ntassiou, 2014). The development (with time) of each route and the identification of appropriate places for lodgings as well, make up the specific character of this traditional activity. We are firmly convinced that the cartographic depiction of these routes in a web-environment (such is a web-GIS platform) that is directly accessible to all potential stakeholders will eventually create a far more appealing prospect, concerning the conservation and development of routes and places. Table 1 The stakeholders and their profits of a web-GIS application User Potential profit State Tourism development, environmental monitoring, highlighting and promoting an important heritage asset, etc. Farmers Choose of the proper breeding system, grazing land, etc. Shepherds Choose of the routes, the lodgings, which land is appropriate for grazing, etc. Public Awareness about the historical and cultural importance of livestock transhumance, tourist excursions, etc. 196 K. Ntassiou et al. The producers (farmers), their shepherds, the state (municipalities), even ordinary citizens (public, see Table 1), could all reap the profits of a web-GIS application2 that assesses and visualises data on the removable livestock. More specifically: • • 2 Producers (farmers), shepherds: by applying the removable livestock mode, they can decide whether to move to the traditional method (i.e., on foot and not with trucks). In this case, they can choose the path to follow and the duration of the trip, as well. Also, they have the advantage to evaluate other issues arising from the traditional mode of transport. State (municipalities, etc.): they create additional favourable conditions for the tourism development of the regions from which the moving flocks are crossing, as well as they are highlighting the historical and cultural character of the traditional transportation method. On the other hand, it is possible to monitor environmental parameters related to the traditional method. Materials and methods In simple words, the term ‘online geographic information systems (web-GIS)’ means structured GIS available via web-services (Fu and Sun, 2010). Table 2 The web-GIS data and their sources Data sources Output features Army maps Background for digitisation process for the linear and point entities (routes and lodgings) ‘Ntassiou’ geo-database Raster data: maps Vector data: routes, locations for stops – lodgings, villages, etc. Interviews with breeders Descriptive information concerning route and overnight places GPS-points collected in the field (following the f) Points of the route and overnight places Photographs Current and historical transhumance descriptive information ArcGIS basemaps Imagery, labels, administrative boundaries Useful terms found in Table 2 (last row): • • Basemap: a collection of GIS data and/or imagery (see below) that form the background setting for a map. The basemap provides background detail necessary to orient the location of the map and also, could add to the aesthetic appeal of a map. Typical GIS data and imagery that make up the layers for a basemap: streets, parcels, boundaries (country, county, city boundaries), shaded relief of a digital elevation model, waterways, and aerial or satellite imagery Imagery: a type of data that is extremely useful for many GIS applications and is defined as any type of photograph. Imagery used in GIS can include aerial photos, satellite images, thermal images, digital elevation models (DEMs), scanned maps, land classification maps (even surfaces created from a previous analysis that are saved as an image). On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance 197 Nowadays, the integration of cloud-computing technology has pushed forwards both, the abundance of cloud-GIS possibilities and its operational availability to people who do not have specialised knowledge, as well. In the present research, the capabilities of web-GIS are used for the identification, assessment and promotion of traditional transhumance. The related data (spatial and descriptive) are coming from different sources (Table 2), and after its pre-processing they have been entered into the dedicated web-GIS. The result is that methods of data-processing and data-visualising (related to transhumance), are integrated-tools built into the GIS used. 2.1 Spatial and descriptive data Spatial and descriptive data associated with the seasonal movement of flocks in the study area, were derived from an integrated, configured and structured (upon ArcGis10™ software) updated geodatabase, which covers a considerably wider study area (Ntassiou, 2014). Specific routes and locations for stops features in the above mentioned geodatabase, were registered through the testimonies of breeders. These breeders had systematically experienced (or continue to experience) the traditional way of seasonal movement for their livestock. The features presented in this particular geographical area, are based on detailed course descriptions and overnight place names, offered by these breeders. In this study, route farmer descriptions dealing with the route: from ‘Perivoli’ to ‘Argyropouli’ and ‘Velestino’, were examined. By using ArcMap™ software, the cartographic digital background derived from 14 US-Army maps (dating from 1953–1955 period) (AMS, 1953–1955), by applying a digitisation process for the linear and point entities (routes and lodgings related to the seasonal movements of flocks from ‘Perivoli’). The features of this specific map-series were as follows: a roads and paths, both dated from the period to which they referred (aerial photographs from 1945) b The place names which often coincide with recorded locations of stops – lodgings. The development of the ‘Perivoli’-‘Argyropouli’-route was processed with efficient accuracy, due to the fact that a flock was accompanied by one of the authors during its autumn transition to ‘Argyropouli’. In the course of the tracking positions, by using a GARMIN® handheld GPS-device (from the eTrex-series of GARMIN-models), the flock and the corresponding Konaki positions were recorded (in order to obtain their relevant coordinates). GPS is the USA’s NAVSTAR global positioning system (GPS). It belongs to the superset of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) i.e.: a constellation of satellites providing signals from space that transmit positioning and timing data to GNSS receivers (a system with global coverage). In simple words, this technology makes it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location. Other participants of GNSS (so far): Europe’s Galileo, Russia’s GLONASS and China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. Apart from the use of the handheld GPS-device, photographic material was acquired at distinguishing route-points as well, to properly reflect traditional route details allocated in the present geographical space. 198 K. Ntassiou et al. 2.2 Web-GIS system scheme In the present study, data were uploaded to Esri® ArcGis-online4. For the needed background definition, available basemaps were used. From the whole amount of available backgrounds, the orthophoto mosaic5 (imagery and imagery with labels, as well) was particularly useful, mainly due to the fact that enables three-dimensional visualisation of geophysical space with respect to detailed information of terrain, settlements and routes. At the same time, district and settlement names were labeled, which made it possible to clearly identify areas involved in the under study seasonal movements phenomenon. Furthermore, in this digital background it is possible to detect the vegetation type and to carry out an approximate analysis of land-uses. The geodatabase’s data were georeferenced in the ArcMap™ environment, in order to be displayed at its real (accurate) position of the ArcGis-online background. Specifically, data were reprojected from the ‘GCS_GGRS_1987 coordinate system ‘to the’ WGS-1984 web-Mercator system’ and the results were restored as shapefiles6. By ‘coordinate system’, is meant: a reference system used to represent the locations of geographic features, imagery, and observations (such as GNSS/GPS locations), within a common geographic framework. Two common types of coordinate systems used in GIS are: 1 a global or spherical coordinates system such as latitude-longitude 2 a projected coordinate system such as universal transverse mercator (UTM), Albers equal area, or Robinson, etc. There are several hundred geographic coordinate systems and a few thousand projected coordinate systems available for use. In addition, the user can define a custom coordinate system. These shape files were input in the ArcGis-online environment, where they constituted several thematic layers. These thematic layers refer to: • routes • lodgings (Konakia) • settlements in between which, livestock transhumance takes place. Thematic data-layers are directly editable in an online-GIS environment and the names of settlements and overnight positions (Konakia) are displayed on the interface (Figure 1). Since several alternative routes (particularly in the case of the ‘Perivoli’-‘Velestino’route) had been recorded, the result is that the routes, lodgings and study settlements form a composite network (Figure 1). On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance Figure 1 3 199 The web-GIS system for the study: graphical interface, depicting transhumant livestock data (see online version for colours) Results and discussion Regarding the subject case, the resulted online GIS-platform provides additional web-applications opportunities, useful both, to moving-farmers and the general public potentially interested in the historical and cultural importance of seasonal migration of livestock. Multiple kinds of customisable GIS-templates7 are applied to serve specific different needs, either to display appropriate information needed or for the decision making process on behalf of seasonal migrant-breeders. In conclusion, the procedure involved, sets up an important aspect in the information display framework. Furthermore, it leads to the decision making process during the seasonal movement of a flock (based on the traditional method), which means that it continues to successfully function in the reality-conditions of our present time. 3.1 Transhumance feature-identification in real time In a simple information viewing map mode, using the existing background information of orthophotos (imagery), the identification of overnight lodgings positions can be depicted on the real position, so that, the selection of a point leads to the depiction of both, the related place-name and its coordinates, as well (Figure 2). Also, depending on the land-use classification form in which the point-symbol is represented, the suitability of site-use is considered and examined, in any given time. 200 Figure 2 K. Ntassiou et al. Representing of overnight hut-locations (Konakia) (see online version for colours) With this procedure, positions for overnight which have extensive forestation are avoided (since they are vulnerable to wildlife attacks). The same stands for cultivated fields and properties (in which the flock can cause damages). On the other hand, it is attainable to detect the grasslands which are the ideal places (especially when they are combined with the existence of water-sources and basic timber). All these valuable infos (i.e., vegetation type, water sources, timber, etc.) are located in the Imagery background. Of course, they are always at the disposal of the contemporary, commuter seasonal-breeder, who plans the whole project (route selection, stops, conditions in the area around the proposed points, etc.) (Figure 3). Figure 3 Overnight hut-spots (Konakia) display (see online version for colours) Note: Layered upon imagery background information enabled with observation capability of land-cover, over the wider area. On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance 201 Similarly, transhumance routes are contrasted on roads and trails that are displayed on imagery background (Figure 3). In general, the use of imagery-background allows the association of the data examined with the current reality. This association is rendering them comprehensible to the user(s). 3.2 Shorter route identification In this online environment, a useful topic of application is finding the route from a starting point to a destination, according to the current travel data and proposed roads. The outcome of the ‘proposed-route’ between selected points (start-end) is graphically displayed. Furthermore, directive instructions become simultaneously available. The whole issue is related to the build-in ArcGIS-command: ‘directions’ and it is the subject (i.e., the contents) of Figure 4. Thus, any user is able to compare the ‘traditional route’ course to the ‘proposed one’. Additionally, after taking into account the current land-use on both sides of the routes-axes, the user(s) can move according to land-cover and route network conditions, as well. Figure 4 Shorter route identification (blue polyline), simultaneously compared against traditional route (red polyline) (see online version for colours) 3.3 Elevation modelling and story – narrative maps By using the elevation profile of each route, the users of the developed GIS-application are in a position to observe elevation changes during the course of a flock, from highlands to lowlands and vice-versa. By selecting a portion of a route (or even the entire route) from the number of available alternative routes, the elevation-changes are illustrated along the selected route. Moreover, the map is capable to display the related altitude on any given (selected) position (Figure 5). This way, the user (a farmer, etc.) can know the altitude-zones where is going to travel, the gradients and elevations in the various parts of the route, even the changes in temperature (resulting from the changes of altitude). 202 Figure 5 K. Ntassiou et al. Elevation-profile derived map, concerning the ‘Perivoli-Argyropouli’ route (see online version for colours) Furthermore, the case of seasonal movements of flocks in the study region is attractive for the use of a story(or narrating) map, something that was satisfactorily achieved in this research. Narrative (or story) map is a map that tells a story plotted through space. It is not oriented to display data but it is to provide an explicit visual counterpart to the implicit spatial underpinnings of a narrative or argument. Since many texts have a spatial component, narrative maps are broadly useful (Spatial Humanities Workshop, 2015). Figure 6 Narrative-map of a historical transhumance case, in current geographical space (see online version for colours) On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance Figure 7 203 Narrative-map of current transhumance, in 3-D spatial area (see online version for colours) In simple words, each specific geographical area is employed for presenting the ‘story’ of a transhumance referred, to either the past or the present. In particular, by the use of appropriate historical photographs (such as from the beginning of the 20th century), it becomes attainable to develop a ‘visualisation’-model. Such a model is capable to represent a ‘historical’-process of this regular movement of flocks and pastoral families, i.e., a process (movement) that took place in the past (Figure 6). Thereby, the detailed descriptions of flocks and livestock clans transhumance and routes (as given by European travellers, dating to the 19th and early 20th century), become visualised (Pouqueville, 1995; Bérard, 1987; Wace and Thompson, 1989). A current route, as registered by participation in this process, is described in the analogous photographic material referring to specific locations that are marked in the graphical interface (Figure 7). In such a way, a versatile narrative outline of traditional and modern routes of seasonal migrant flocks is exploited. 4 Conclusions The developed web-GIS application provides observation capabilities and information utilisation, which both highlight historical and sustainability aspects of transhumance. This is an application that can be integrated as part of multi-parameter effort to support and further develop the current transhumance; in all countries where moving livestock tradition is present. In particular, it has the potential to provide new farmers with convenient and efficient modern-tools that simplify issues which arise when they follow a route according to the traditional method. By using tablet devices or smart-phones, they are feasible action such: the navigation at each given point of the route, the selection of appropriate overnight and the flock spots, as well. Even without the existence of the oral-documentation (as offered by the older farmers who have preserved the transhumance tradition), this web-GIS-application provides the necessary information for the relevant route. The familiarity with this kind of technological tools and applications, 204 K. Ntassiou et al. in relation with the availability of web-information (which enhances the diffusion of information across borders), are two factors which allow better communicationconditions, for breeders from different countries. Thus, the effort to promote and preserve the former traditional farming transhumance practice can become more meaningful and effective, since the horizon is being expanded for the cultural promotion of the method (as it is rooted in the distant past). Certainly, its potential in the framework of ecological activities (e.g., ecotourism) adds more value. Furthermore, the available ‘scenarios’, which allow the selection among different alternative routes between two single points (departure-destination), offer a new potential, concerning the cost, the speed, the safety, etc. Finally, the enhancement of the (so far) available geodata becomes most promising with the input of data associated with the animal physiology and their nutritional needs. Through this development, it will be possible to introduce corresponding interactive maps describing phenomena (related to transhumance routes), such as: Potential spread of animal diseases, the effect of flocks seasonal movements upon the landscape and vegetation features, etc. All these can be efficiently and accurately documented in the current geographical area and in real time with the suggested web-GIS. The benefits could be multiple by supporting the solutions of several problems of the respective involved sciences (p.e. veterinary, forestry, biology, rangeland, etc.). References American Military Geographic Service (AMS) (1953–1955) Maps Scale 1:50,000, Period 1953– 1955: 14 Map-Sheets: ‘GREVENA’, ‘DESKATI’, etc, Washington. Bérard, V. (1987) La Turquie Et L’Hellénisme Contemporain, in Greek, in Likoudis, M. (Trans.), Trohalia, Athens. Fu, P. and Sun, J. (2010) Web GIS: Principles and Applications, Esri’s GIS Bookstore, Esri Press, Redlands, CA. Laga, V., Chatziminaoglou, I., Katana, I. and Abbas, G. (2003) Moving Farming in Western Macedonia, Research of Husbandry – Economic – Social Issues, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki (ATEITH), Thessaloniki, Greece. Laga, V., Ragkos, A., Skapetas, V., Mitsopoulos, I., Kiritsi, S., Abas, Z., Mazaraki, K. and Bambidis, V. (2012) ‘Current trends in the transhumant sheep and goat sector in Greece’, in Acar, Z., López-Francos, A. and Porqueddu, C. (Eds.): New Approaches for Grassland Research in a Context of Climate and Socioeconomic Changes (Options Méditerranéennes: Série A. Séminaires Méditerranéens, n. 102), pp.473–476, CIHEAM, Zaragoza. Ntassiou, K. (2014) Application of GIS in Recording and Studying Historical Transportation Networks. The Case of South-Western Macedonia, in Greek, Unpublished PhD thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Pardini, A. and Nori, M. (2011) ‘Agro-silvo-pastoral system in Italy: integration and divestification’, Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice (Springer Open Journal), Vol. 1, No. 26, pp.1–10. Pouqueville, F.C.H. (1995) Travels in Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, and Thessaly, in Greek, in Molfeta, N. (Trans.), Tolidi Bros, Athens. Spatial Humanities Workshop (2015) Lincoln Mullen [online] http://lincolnmullen.com/projects/spatial-workshop/. Wace, A. and Thompson, M. (1989) The Nomads of the Balkans: Description of Life and Customs of the Northern Pindos Vlachs, in Greek, in Karagiorgos, P. (Trans.), Kyriakidis Publ. Co., Thessaloniki. On the study, modernisation, support and promotion of transhumance 205 Ιspikoudis, I., Soliou, M.K. and Papanastasis, V.P. (2002) ‘Transhumance in Greece: past, present and future prospects’, in Bunce, R.G.H., Pérez-Soba, M., Jongman, R.H.G., Gómez Sal, A., Herzog, F. and Austad, I. (Eds.): Transhumance and Biodiversity in European Mountains, pp.211–226, IALE Publ., Wageningen, The Netherlands. Notes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Between these two sites, the locomotion takes place during spring and autumn. Being in mountainous areas, it is obvious that the probability of available internet-connection is low. On the other hand, the usual ‘configuration’ (as suggested by common sense) means, a base-computer in the farm and the use of portable computers (even smart-phones, tablets) remotely, whenever the internet-availability is possible. After all, the continuous connection with the base-computer (wireless, 3G/4G) is not required. Cloud-GIS: The combination of running GIS software and services on cloud infrastructure and accessing GIS capabilities using the web. Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri®): an international supplier of GIS software, web-GIS and geodatabase management applications. Ortho-mosaicking: the combination of two processes a Ortho-rectification, i.e., the process of correcting imagery for distortion using elevation data and camera model information, so that the scale variation corresponds to a map projection throughout the image. b Mosaicking, i.e., the process of taking two or more separate images and ‘stitching’ them together into a single image. Shapefile-format:A geospatial vector data format for GIS software, developed and regulated by Esri®. In simple terms of informatics, a template is a form, or pattern used as a guide to making something.