Coupled Human and Animal Systems

Coupled human and animal systems (CHAS) are those in which two elements—humans and animals (domesticated or semidomesticated)—are linked and depend directly on one another. Such systems represent one of many possible types of subsystem that exist within coupled human and natural systems. A CHAS is characterized by human and animal interactions, which create an interdependent relationship through reciprocal effects and complex feedback loops. Consequently, the system tends to react as a single entity to changes in the natural environment and to social, economic, and political human activities (Figure 1).

CHAS include various forms of nomadic pastoralism (e.g., transhumance and ranching), which, unlike farming, is an extensive form of land use typically practiced in geographical areas with little to no arable land and where farming activities would be socially and economically unviable. These locations include areas with extreme and highly variable climatic conditions, such as the arid regions of Africa and inner Asia, the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Eurasia, and various mountainous regions (e.g., the Caucasus, Pamirs, and Pyrenees).

Although there is much debate over what constitutes a nomadic and a pastoralist existence, one must remember that the concept of CHAS serves research-analytical purposes only. When questioning what should or should not be considered as a CHAS, rather than focusing on terminology, it would perhaps be more useful to ask oneself the following question: Can the human and animal relationship under review be considered as an integral interdependent system? If mostly it can, then CHAS would probably be a useful concept when studying how changes in the natural environment (e.g., global climate change, disease and species extinction) and social, economic, and political human activities (e.g., technology, commodity prices and trade, land encroachment and legislation) influence human populations. However, not every group practicing nomadic pastoralism should necessarily be viewed as being a CHAS. The coupled system approach would be of low analytical value for groups for which pastoralism is merely one branch of their economic mix, which, even if it has considerable symbolic or cultural value, exists alongside other branches with similar or potentially higher economic importance. In such groups, changes in the total environment (i.e., the natural environment and social, economic, and political human activities) that affect animals are unlikely to have a comparable level of influence on humans, since the latter can compensate by relying on other economic activities. The relations between humans and animals inside CHAS can be best viewed as the complex interplay that exists between animal behavior and the actions of humans. Humans’ actions are aimed at satisfying the biological needs of their animals while ensuring their own social, economic, and political needs. From humans’ viewpoint, this interplay results in achieving control over their animals to maintain their cohesion, manageability, and safety without compromising their own [Page 598]requirements. For animals, the interplay with humans offers pastures and protection, which, for many species, are vital for their survival. One of the most discernible outcomes of the existing interplay within CHAS is spatial and temporal movement. Movement is achieved by humans’ skillful perception of animal behavior and their adeptness in reacting to it, which is also influenced by numerous social, economic, and political human activities. Therefore, the interplay is influenced, on the one hand, by the impact that ecological factors have on animals’ behavior and, on the other, by nonecological factors that have an impact on the actions of humans.

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