There is an urgent need to document the diversity of our livestock genetic resources and to design strategies for their sustainable conservation and the main objective of this review is to exploring.
The world watch list for domestic animal diversity documents more than 6 300 breeds and 7616 breeds of livestock belonging to 30 domesticated species. These breeds were developed following domestication and natural and human selection over the past 12 000 years. The current number of breeds is likely an underestimation since a large proportion of indigenous livestock populations of the developing world, where most animal genetic resources are found today; have yet to be described at phenotypic and genetic levels. The predominant species include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, horses and buffalo.
Several other domesticated animals like camels, donkeys, elephants, reindeer and rabbits are also valuable to different regions of the world. Cattle, sheep, chickens, are predominantly found all over the world, while goats and pigs are less uniformly distributed. Livestock populations have evolved a unique adaptation to their agricultural production system and agro ecological environments. Their genetic diversity has provided the material for the very successful breeding improvement programmes of the developed world in the 19th and 20th century. This represents a unique resource to respond to the present and future needs of livestock production, both in developed and developing countries. Recognizes The well importance of animal production for food security and rural livelihoods and particularly AnGR supply over 30% of total human requirements for food and agriculture and contribute to the livelihood of 70% of the world’s rural poor. However, the purposes of raising livestock go beyond their direct output functions and include other significant economic and cultural roles. These include savings, insurance, cyclical buffering, accumulation and diversification, as well as various cultural roles related to status and the obligations of their owners.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Livestock and Biodiversity
- The Importance and Values of Animal Genetic Resources [AnGR]
- Status and Trends of AnGR erosion and Endangered Species
- Status of Endangerment of Breeds and Indicators
- The Driving Factors for AnGR Erosion and the Consequences
- Methods of Breeding Strategies Undertaken by the Livestock Keepers/Breeders
- The Climate and the Altitude
- Infectious Diseases
- Loss of Farm Animal Genetic Diversity and Genetic Drift
- Current State of AnGR and Extinction
- Conservation Strategies
- Objectives for AnGR Conservation
- The Breeds to Conserve, Priorities, and Categorization of Conservation
- Priorities Among Strategies of Active Conservation
- Objectives for AnGR Conservation
- Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
- Conclusions and Future Scenarios
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This review aims to explore the erosion, endangerment, and extinction of animal genetic resources (AnGR), focusing on livestock breeds. It examines the driving factors behind these losses and investigates effective conservation strategies. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the sustainable management and preservation of AnGR for future food security and livelihoods.
- The importance and value of AnGR for food security, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
- The status and trends of AnGR erosion and endangerment, including the loss of breeds and genetic diversity.
- The driving factors contributing to AnGR erosion, such as changes in farming practices, climate change, and infectious diseases.
- Effective conservation strategies for AnGR, including in situ and ex situ methods.
- The role of international collaboration in AnGR conservation.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the review by highlighting the vast number of livestock breeds globally and the alarming rate of their extinction. It emphasizes the significance of AnGR for food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural heritage. The chapter underscores the urgent need to document AnGR diversity and develop sustainable conservation strategies due to the rapid decline in livestock diversity worldwide, especially in developing countries where most AnGR are found. It introduces the importance of recognizing the direct use value of domesticated animals and implicitly the need to better understand AnGR in the context of complex ecological systems.
Literature Review: This section provides a detailed overview of existing literature on livestock biodiversity, the value of AnGR, and the factors contributing to their erosion and extinction. It discusses the economic implications of AnGR loss and the international legal frameworks aimed at their conservation. The chapter explores various perspectives on the valuation of AnGR, including economic and ecological viewpoints. Specific sections detail the impacts of breeding strategies, climate, altitude, and infectious diseases on AnGR and the resulting genetic drift and loss of diversity. The review emphasizes the limitations of applying methods designed for wild species to measure livestock biodiversity.
Conservation Strategies: This chapter delves into various strategies for conserving AnGR. It outlines the objectives of AnGR conservation, prioritizing breeds for conservation efforts, and categorizing conservation approaches. The chapter discusses the prioritization among different active conservation strategies, considering the practical challenges and resources available for implementing these strategies effectively. This section likely covers both in situ (on-farm) and ex situ (off-farm) conservation techniques and evaluates their relative effectiveness and applicability to different contexts.
Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources: This chapter likely presents an overview of international initiatives and strategies aimed at managing farm animal genetic resources globally. It may include discussions of policies, collaborations, and frameworks designed to address the challenges of AnGR conservation on a broader scale. This chapter would provide a synthesis of existing global conservation frameworks and potentially identify gaps or areas requiring further attention in the international management of AnGR.
Keywords
Animal genetic resources (AnGR), livestock biodiversity, breed extinction, conservation strategies, food security, rural livelihoods, genetic erosion, genetic drift, climate change, infectious diseases, sustainable agriculture, international collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Animal Genetic Resource Conservation
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the erosion, endangerment, and extinction of animal genetic resources (AnGR), specifically focusing on livestock breeds. It examines the driving forces behind these losses and explores effective conservation strategies to ensure sustainable management and preservation of AnGR for future food security and livelihoods.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include the importance and value of AnGR, the status and trends of AnGR erosion and endangerment, the factors contributing to AnGR loss (such as farming practices, climate change, and diseases), effective conservation strategies (both in situ and ex situ), and the role of international collaboration in AnGR conservation.
What is covered in the Literature Review section?
The Literature Review offers a detailed examination of existing research on livestock biodiversity, the value of AnGR, and the factors causing their decline and extinction. It covers economic implications of AnGR loss, international legal frameworks, various perspectives on AnGR valuation, the impact of breeding strategies, climate, altitude, and diseases on AnGR, genetic drift, and the limitations of applying methods for wild species to livestock biodiversity.
What conservation strategies are discussed?
The Conservation Strategies section delves into various methods for conserving AnGR, including outlining objectives, prioritizing breeds for conservation, categorizing conservation approaches, and prioritizing among active conservation strategies. It likely discusses both on-farm (in situ) and off-farm (ex situ) conservation techniques and their effectiveness and applicability.
What is the focus of the chapter on the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources?
This chapter summarizes international initiatives and strategies for managing farm animal genetic resources globally. It likely covers policies, collaborations, and frameworks designed to address AnGR conservation challenges on a larger scale, synthesizing existing global frameworks and identifying gaps needing further attention.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the main points and findings of each chapter, offering a quick understanding of the document's content and structure.
What are the objectives of this document?
The document aims to explore the erosion, endangerment, and extinction of AnGR, focusing on livestock breeds, investigating the driving factors behind these losses, and exploring effective conservation strategies. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the sustainable management and preservation of AnGR.
What keywords are associated with this document?
Keywords include: Animal genetic resources (AnGR), livestock biodiversity, breed extinction, conservation strategies, food security, rural livelihoods, genetic erosion, genetic drift, climate change, infectious diseases, sustainable agriculture, and international collaboration.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents provides a detailed outline of the document's structure, including sections on the Introduction, Literature Review (with subsections on livestock and biodiversity, AnGR values, AnGR erosion status, endangerment indicators, driving factors for erosion, loss of diversity, and the current state of AnGR), Conservation Strategies (with subsections on objectives and priorities among strategies), a chapter on the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources, Conclusions and Future Scenarios, and References.
- Quote paper
- Feyisa Lemessa (Author), 2023, Animal Genetics Erosion, Endangerment, Extinctions and Conservation Strategies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1394630
