Chapter 2: Field and data
collection
2.1 Field
2.1.1 Ariège-Pyrenees
Long, the slogan of the department has been «Land
Courage». The wild nature of Ariège in central Pyrenees has
influenced his inhabitants. For hikers and tourists, the department offers a
wide variety of landscapes, flora and fauna very rich. Ariège is a
department rather rural with many villages and hamlets and small towns.
2.1.2 ASPAP
The association for the protection of Ariège-pyrenees
patrimony was created in January 12th 2006, in relation to the brown
bear reintroduction plan 2006-2009. After its creation, the association has
rapidly become the spokesperson of the breeders against the reintroduction (at
least 90% of the breeders in Ariège). Because 2006 were the launching
year of the plan, she knew a crowded agenda: March 10th, public
display at Toulouse, April 1st, first release, April
28th, 2nd release, May 4th, temporary release
suspension, May 6th, public display at Luchon, May 13th,
public display at Bagnères de Bigorre and Arbas. Since the interruption
of the release process, the association is assessing the plan and its damages
to pastoralism, informing its subscribers (up to 2,000 members) how to behave
in various situations.
2.1.3 Farm, men and flock in mountain
zone
Pastoralism is a production system whereby man, animal and the
territory interact. This is a complex eco-agrosystem where traditional
know-how, economic, technical and socio-political concerns are jointly called
to (see diagrams 1& 2 opposite).
| 
