Sustaining Mediterranean highlands through Traditional Ecological Knowledge and transhumance practices

Introduction Traditional Ecological Knowledge encompasses knowledge systems shaped by long-term human–nature interactions, focusing on sustainable resource use and environmental adaptation. Yörük communities in Türkiye, who have practiced transhumant pastoralism for centuries, represent a living form of Traditional Ecological Knowledge that integrates cultural continuity, ecological balance, and adaptive livelihood strategies. Methods This study employed a mixed-methods approach combining systematic literature analysis, long-term ethnographic field observations, and semi-quantitative risk assessment. A database of 275 studies was analyzed alongside nearly three decades of participatory fieldwork conducted in the Central Taurus Mountains. Data were coded and thematically categorized to identify the ecological, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Yörüks. Results Findings show that the traditional highland–lowland cycle ensures the seasonal and balanced use of water, soil, and pasture resources, maintaining vital ecosystem services. However, climate change, demographic shifts, and modernization have disrupted intergenerational knowledge transfer. Risk assessment results indicate that water scarcity and pasture degradation pose the greatest threats to the sustainability of transhumant pastoralism. Discussion and conclusion The Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the Yörüks functions both as a cultural heritage and as an adaptive ecological framework that contributes to sustainable rural development and enhances the capacity for climate change adaptation. Integrating this knowledge into agricultural, environmental, and rural policies can strengthen biodiversity conservation and align practices with the Sustainable Development Goals. Safeguarding this system requires participatory policy design, local empowerment, and the revitalization of intergenerational knowledge transmission.