The objective of this review is to point out that the global dialog on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in animal agriculture has, thus far, not adequately considered animal welfare in proposed climate change mitigation strategies. Many suggested approaches for reducing emissions, most of which could generally be described as calls for the intensification of production, can have substantial effects on the animals. Climate change is seen as a major threat to the survival of many species, ecosystems and the sustainability of livestock production systems in many parts of the world. As per estimates, about 12.5% of total emissions of greenhouse gases are related to livestock production .This contribution is even higher (18%) when the deforestation related to the expansion of livestock production area is also considered to meet the growing demand of animal products. Livestock contributes about 9% of total carbon dioxide production emissions, 37% of methane, and 64% of nitrous oxide emissions throughout production process. There is an urgent need to integrate these other sustainability measures into GHG mitigation assessments. Mitigation in reducing emissions can be achieved in different ways related to animal feeding and management, manure collection, storage, improved animal waste management through energy (biogas) recovery, and management of crops fed to the livestock by bringing more drastic changes of the whole production system. A number of techniques exist to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation from ruminants. Improving the genetic potential of animals through planned cross-breeding or selection within a breed, and achieving this genetic potential through proper nutrition and improvements in reproductive efficiency, animal health and reproductive lifespan are effective and recommended approaches for improving animal productivity and reducing GHG emissions per unit of product. There are several factors which need to be considered for selection of best options for methane emission reduction: these include climate, economic, technical and material resources, existing manure management practices, regulatory requirements etc. Generally the methane mitigation strategies can be grouped under three broader headings viz., manage mental, nutritional and advanced biotechnological strategies.
Table of Contents
1) INTRODUCTION
Objective
2) Literature Review
2.1. Livestock and climate change
2.2. Livestock impact and mitigation measures
2.3. Sequestering carbon and mitigating carbon emissions
2.4. Methane mitigation strategies
2.4.1. Enteric methane mitigation through nutrition
2.5. Mitigation through manure management
2.6. Animal genetics Improvement
2.7. Animal health and longevity
3) CONCLUSION
4) RECOMENDETION
5) REFERANCE
Objective and Research Focus
This paper examines the role of the livestock sector in global climate change and identifies viable strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, with a primary focus on reducing enteric methane production in ruminants.
- Analysis of livestock-related greenhouse gas emission sources.
- Evaluation of nutritional strategies for enteric methane mitigation.
- Impact of manure management practices on emissions.
- Role of animal genetics, health, and management in improving productivity and sustainability.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4. Methane mitigation strategies
Methane is produced in ruminant as a by-product of enteric fermentation, whereby carbohydrates are broken down by bacteria in the digestive tract. The amount of methane that is produced depends on: The type of digestive tract. Ruminant livestock have an expansive chamber, the rumen, which fosters extensive enteric fermentation and high CH4 emissions. The main ruminant livestock are cattle, goats, sheep, and camel. Non-ruminant livestock (horses, mules, asses) and mono-gastric livestock (poultry) have relatively lower CH4 emissions because much less CH4-producing digestion takes place in their digestive systems. Among ruminant species methane emission from sheep and goat are considered to be small to quantify. In general methane production by ruminant livestock is influenced by dietary characteristics as well as the fermentation conditions in the rumen. In addition to the above one methane production from enteric fermentation depends on production level, stage of lactation, pregnancy, age, size of livestock (feed intake is positively related to animal size, growth rate, and production e.g., milk production, or pregnancy) and management related interventions like grazing regime, feeding regime, housing and milking (IPCC, 2006).
CH4 mitigation strategies can be broadly divided into preventative and ‘end of pipe ‘options. Preventative measures reduce carbon/nitrogen inputs into the system of animal husbandry, generally through dietary manipulation and, while a reduction in the volume of CH4 emitted per animal may result, this is often secondary to the (primary) objective of improved productive efficiency. Alternatively, ‘end of pipe’ options reduce or inhibit the production of CH4 (methanogenesis) within the system of animal husbandry (Sejian et al., 2011). There are several factors which need to be considered for selection of best options for methane emission reduction: these include climate, economic, technical and material resources, existing manure management practices, regulatory requirements etc. Generally the methane mitigation strategies can be grouped under three broader headings viz., manage mental, nutritional and advanced biotechnological strategies (Sejian et al., 2011).
Summary of Chapters
1) INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the threat climate change poses to livestock production and outlines the necessity for integrating sustainability measures into mitigation efforts.
2) Literature Review: Discusses the major sources of livestock-related emissions, including enteric fermentation and manure, and explores various technical mitigation strategies such as nutritional interventions, genetic improvements, and better manure management.
3) CONCLUSION: Summarizes that mitigation is urgent and requires a combination of management, nutritional, and biotechnological strategies tailored to specific livestock production contexts.
4) RECOMENDETION: Emphasizes the importance of participatory approaches and local community involvement in adopting effective, long-term climate-smart agricultural practices.
5) REFERANCE: Lists the academic sources and citations used throughout the document.
Keywords
Livestock, Climate Change, Greenhouse Gases, Methane, Enteric Fermentation, Ruminants, Manure Management, Animal Nutrition, Dietary Manipulation, Carbon Sequestration, Animal Welfare, Mitigation Strategies, Sustainable Intensification, Animal Health, Genetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the contribution of ruminant livestock to climate change and identifies various strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, specifically methane, from the animal agriculture sector.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the impact of livestock on the environment, the mechanisms of methane production in ruminants, and practical mitigation measures across nutrition, genetics, and waste management.
What is the ultimate goal of this research?
The primary goal is to review and consolidate information on livestock and climate change mitigation strategies to provide a comprehensive outlook for reducing the sector's environmental footprint.
Which scientific methods are analyzed for mitigation?
The paper evaluates nutritional strategies (such as dietary manipulation, lipid supplementation, and plant secondary metabolites), manure management, and improvements in animal genetics and health care.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body reviews how livestock production contributes to global warming, details specific enteric methane mitigation techniques, and discusses how improving animal productivity can lead to lower emissions per unit of output.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include greenhouse gases, ruminants, enteric fermentation, carbon sequestration, sustainable intensification, and methane mitigation.
How does dietary management specifically reduce methane emissions?
The paper explains that altering the diet through higher quality forage, increased concentrate levels, and adding lipid sources can change rumen fermentation patterns, thereby reducing the production of methane.
Why is the genetic improvement of livestock considered a mitigation strategy?
Genetic improvement increases animal productivity and feed efficiency; as animals produce more output with less input, the relative methane emissions per unit of product are significantly reduced.
- Citar trabajo
- Msc.Student Buli Tadese Wayesa (Autor), 2017, Livestock and climate change mitigation strategies, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/377520
