Final answer:
Pastoralism is the subsistence strategy characterized by herding and managing domesticated animals. It involves a nomadic lifestyle where pastoralists move with their herds in search of fresh pastures, and their cultural, social, and economic life revolves around the care of these animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subsistence strategy characterized by herding animals is known as pastoralism. In pastoral societies, the primary livelihood of people is herding, which requires regular movements to provide fresh pastures for the herds, often in seasonal cycles. This nomadic lifestyle is a response to the environmental limitations and the need for extensive land to support the grazing needs of herds. The practice of pastoralism is coordinated with sociocultural features such as a sense of ownership, wealth measured by herd size, and social status connected to the animals. All aspects of culture in these societies, from social structures to economy, revolve around the care and use of herd animals.
Pastoralists develop important strategies, such as nomadism and transhumance, to support their lifestyle. They have also gained a vast store of knowledge about animal behavior, anatomy, and the environment, which allows them to raise and maintain their herds sustainably by rotating grazing areas and managing the impact on the environment. Additionally, pastoralists often have a symbiotic relationship with neighboring farming communities, trading animal products for agricultural goods.