Resource information
People’s perceptions of their environment
in high mountain rangelands ultimately
affect the fragile ecosystems on which
they depend, and thus their welfare. This is
especially true in developing countries,
where the livelihoods of people living in such ecosystems depend on grazing
livestock. The present study, conducted in the central mountain region of Peru, used photographs and Q methodology to investigate the criteria and preferences that shepherds and local administrators apply in making
grazing management decisions. The results showed 2 different sets of criteria and preferences. In the first set of preferences the condition of the grassland, particularly
the height of the vegetation, was the main criterion. In the second set, the color of the vegetation was the key criterion. We discuss implications for the further use of this methodology.
