Livestock (Biosphere Reserve)

Far from being a virgin territory, the evolution of the Somedano landscape has always been linked to human management through livestock. The summer use of the high mountain pastures, both by cattle and by large flocks of sheep and goats coming from the other side of the pass, has configured a landscape different from what would be expected with the transition from scrubland to forest in areas where the latter is the most mature stage of vegetation succession. The grasslands or mowing meadows -at lower altitudes and close to population centers- are reservoirs of biodiversity, both in terms of flora and associated fauna.

This use of pastures at higher altitudes in summer forced farmers to create shelters to house both the “brañeiro” or shepherd and the livestock. And so, taking advantage of the materials that abounded in the different areas, the “teito” huts were born – stone walls, beech structure and hazel or ash interweaving, and broom roofing (Cytisus scoparius), typically – or the “corros”, smaller structures, circular in plan, built entirely of stone with a false vault, and covered with “tapines” (portions of the topsoil including the first cm. of soil).

Nowadays, although Somiedo is still dotted with teito huts and corros, shepherds and shepherds no longer sleep in them. However, livestock management has the same importance as in the past in the creation and maintenance of these pastures and meadows, so representative and so important in the configuration of the Somiedo Biosphere Reserve.