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"ANIMAL RESOURCES"
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Human-wildlife conflict : complexity in the marine environment
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has classically been defined as a situation where wildlife impacts humans negatively (physically, economically, or psychologically), and where humans likewise negatively impact wildlife. However, there is growing consensus that the conflict between people about wildlife is as important as the conflict between people and wildlife. HWC not only affects the conservation of one species in a particular geographic area, but also impacts the willingness of an individual, a community, and wider society to support conservation programs in general. This book explores the complexity inherent in these situations, covering the theory, principles, and practical applications of HWC work, making it accessible and usable for conservation practitioners, as well as of interest to researchers more concerned with a theoretical approach to the subject. Through a series of case studies, the book's authors and editors tackle a wide variety of subjects relating to conflict, from the challenges of wicked problems and common pool resources, to the roles that storytelling and religion can play in conflict. -- Source other than Library of Congress.
Book
Early onset of vegetation growth vs. rapid green-up: impacts on juvenile mountain ungulates
Seasonal patterns of climate and vegetation growth are expected to be altered by global warming. In alpine environments, the reproduction of birds and mammals is tightly linked to seasonality; therefore such alterations may have strong repercussions on recruitment. We used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a satellite-based measurement that correlates strongly with aboveground net primary productivity, to explore how annual variations in the timing of vegetation onset and in the rate of change in primary production during green-up affected juvenile growth and survival of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), and mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) in four different populations in two continents. We indexed timing of onset of vegetation growth by the integrated NDVI (INDVI) in May. The rate of change in primary production during green-up (early May to early July) was estimated as (1) the maximal slope between any two successive bimonthly NDVI values during this period and (2) the slope in NDVI between early May and early July. The maximal slope in NDVI was negatively correlated with lamb growth and survival in both populations of bighorn sheep, growth of mountain goat kids, and survival of Alpine ibex kids, but not with survival of mountain goat kids. There was no effect of INDVI in May and of the slope in NDVI between early May and early July on juvenile growth and survival for any species. Although rapid changes in NDVI during the green-up period could translate into higher plant productivity, they may also lead to a shorter period of availability of high-quality forage over a large spatial scale, decreasing the opportunity for mountain ungulates to exploit high-quality forage. Our results suggest that attempts to forecast how warmer winters and springs will affect animal population dynamics and life histories in alpine environments should consider factors influencing the rate of changes in primary production during green-up and the timing of vegetation onset.
Journal Article
Review on the development of genotyping methods for assessing farm animal diversity
Advances in molecular biotechnology have introduced new generations of molecular markers for use in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Consequently, more accurate genetic information can be obtained to better understand existing animal genetic resources. This review gives a brief summary on the development of genetic markers including both the classical genetic markers and more advanced DNA-based molecular markers. This review will help us better understand the characteristics of different genetic markers and the genetic diversity of animal genetic resources.
Journal Article
Conservation of Domestic Animal Genetic Resources in China: Overview of the Status, Activities, Policies, and Challenges
Livestock and poultry biodiversity constitutes an essential element of global biological diversity, playing a pivotal role in sustaining human livelihood and socioeconomic development. Domestic animal genetic resources in China are abundant and various. Especially, local breeds have strong adaptability to the environment and exhibit excellent traits. They are the material foundation for both the original innovation in agricultural technology and the development of modern animal husbandry. Conservation of animal genetic resources is the primary action for sustainable use and development of domestic animals. Globally, many national and international institutions have initiated a variety of conservation measures, legislation, and technical strategies. China has likewise undertaken relevant initiatives. In this paper, we summarize the current situation of domestic animal resources in China, including the current status of domestic animals, the conservation measurements, the sustainable utilization, the management policies, challenges, and suggestions for the conservation of domestic animal resources. The sustainable use and protection work on domestic animals can be incorporated with the issues of food security and sustainability, the protection of the environment and climatic change, concepts in which societal interest is continuously increasing.
Journal Article
The use of SWOT analysis to explore and prioritize conservation and development strategies for local cattle breeds
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a tool widely used to help in decision making in complex systems. It suits to exploring the issues and measures related to the conservation and development of local breeds, as it allows the integration of many driving factors influencing breed dynamics. We developed a quantified SWOT method as a decision-making tool for identification and ranking of conservation and development strategies of local breeds, and applied it to a set of 13 cattle breeds of six European countries. The method has four steps: definition of the system, identification and grouping of the driving factors, quantification of the importance of driving factors and identification and prioritization of the strategies. The factors were determined following a multi-stakeholder approach and grouped with a three-level structure. Animal genetic resources expert groups ranked the factors, and a quantification process was implemented to identify and prioritize strategies. The proposed SWOT methodology allows analyzing the dynamics of local cattle breeds in a structured and systematic way. It is a flexible tool developed to assist different stakeholders in defining the strategies and actions. The quantification process allows the comparison of the driving factors and the prioritization of the strategies for the conservation and development of local cattle breeds. We identified 99 factors across the breeds. Although the situation is very heterogeneous, the future of these breeds may be promising. The most important strengths and weaknesses were related to production systems and farmers. The most important opportunities were found in marketing new products, whereas the most relevant threats were found in selling the current products. The across-breed strategies utility decreased as they gained specificity. Therefore, the strategies at European level should focus on general aspects and be flexible enough to be adapted to the country and breed specificities.
Journal Article
Animal diversity and procurement strategies at Schroda, Limpopo Valley, South Africa
This article presents a broad overview of excavated animal taxa and methods of procurement at the Middle Iron Age site of Schroda (AD 900–1100), located in the Mapungubwe National Park. Here, a diverse animal resource base was exploited through various strategies – some of which drew on individual participation, while others relied on group effort and resource pooling. Cattle, sheep and goat herds provided a reliable supply of meat, milk and skins throughout the year, while a range of wild mammals, birds, reptiles and fish were also hunted, trapped and collected. Although procurement strategies and animals targeted generally remained unchanged for about 200 years, there is a small shift in the proportion of livestock relative to other animals and a related increase in the exploitation of wild animals. Reliance on a broad spectrum of subsistence strategies is often done as a risk management strategy in areas with unpredictable environmental conditions. Erratic rainfall patterns, evident at the end of the first millennium in the middle Limpopo Valley, would have necessitated such an approach. In addition, the updated taxonomic list for Schroda provides a deep-time record of animal presence and expands the former distribution ranges for some taxa in the Mapungubwe National Park area.
Journal Article
From sky to sow: assessing the impact of drone-enabled semen delivery on pig fertility outcomes in rural Rwanda
Improving livestock productivity is vital for food security and rural incomes in Rwanda. Pig farming offers rapid income potential but is constrained by limited access to timely, high-quality artificial insemination (AI) services. To address this, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Zipline, and USAID's Orora Wihaze project piloted an aerial logistics model to distribute pig semen via drones, combined with training and awareness activities. This study evaluates the program's impact on AI outcomes among veterinarians, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), and farmers across eight districts.
A pre-post design with repeated cross-sectional surveys was conducted over 6 months. Baseline and endline surveys included veterinarians (
= 257/221), CAHWs (
= 310/240), and farmers (
= 233). Data covered AI success rates, procedural challenges, and economic outcomes. Regression models identified predictors of AI success, and an input-output analysis estimated broader economic impact.
AI performance improved significantly, especially among CAHWs, whose success rates rose from 48.8 to 74.8% (
< 0.05). A binomial GLM confirmed higher odds of success at endline (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.87;
= 0.00012). Technical and procedural failures declined, and cold chain and expired semen issues decreased, indicating improved skills and logistics. The program resulted in 4,489 inseminations and 28,553 piglets, with 4,893 attributable to program-driven gains. Farmers earned $320,075, of which 17.1% stemmed from the intervention. With an implementation cost of $191,149, the direct ROI was 67.5%. Including indirect and induced effects, total impact reached $2.3 million.
Drone-based semen delivery, paired with capacity-building, can improve reproductive outcomes, enhance last-mile delivery, and strengthen rural economies.
Journal Article
Review: Sustainability of crossbreeding in developing countries; definitely not like crossing a meadow
Crossbreeding, considering either terminal or rotational crossing, synthetic breed creation or breed replacement, is often promoted as an efficient strategy to increase farmers’ income through the improvement of productivity of local livestock in developing countries. Sustainability of crossbreeding is however frequently challenged by constraints such as poor adaptation to the local environment or lack of logistic support. In this review, we investigate factors that may influence the long-term success or the failure of crossbreeding programs, based on the scientific literature and country reports submitted for The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Crossbreeding activities vary widely across species and countries. Its sustainability is dependent on different prerequisites such as continual access to adequate breeding stock (especially after the end of externally funded crossbreeding projects), the opportunity of improved livestock to express their genetic potential (e.g. through providing proper inputs) and integration within a reliable market chain. As formal crossbreeding programs are often associated with adoption of other technologies, they can be a catalyst for innovation and development for smallholders. Given the increasing global demand for animal products, as well as the potential environmental consequences of climate change, there is a need for practical research to improve the implementation of long-term crossbreeding programs in developing countries.
Journal Article