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Livestock's Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options
... Pour répondre à la demande croissante en produits animaux, les agriculteurs ont cherché à maximiser la production de leurs prairies en utilisant des pratiques de fertilisation plus intensives . (Steinfeld et al., 2006) qu'il s'agit de limiter ou compenser (Soussana et al., 2010). ...
... Dans le même temps, l'intensification des systèmes agricoles a permis une augmentation importante de la production alimentaire, par le biais d'une plus forte mécanisation et de l'apport en grandes quantités d'engrais minéraux de synthèse (N et P), obtenus par des procédés extrêmement couteux en énergie Leigh, 2004). Cette augmentation de la production agricole a ainsi permis une augmentation de la population mondiale (Cuffaro, 1997 par les ruminants issues des fermentations entériques (Steinfeld et al., 2006). Ainsi l'agriculture est aujourd'hui un des secteurs majeurs d'émissions de GES, près de 30% (Tubiello et al., 2013), avec l'élevage représentant 14,5% des émissions totales (Gerber et al., 2014). ...
... En effet, les ruminants émettent d'importantes quantités de méthane. Leur élevage est aujourd'hui de plus en plus remis en question, face à l'obligation de réduire les émissions anthropiques de GES (Steinfeld et al., 2006). Cependant, le maintien de ces activités d'élevage apparait souvent nécessaire dans une large partie du globe, pour des raisons liées à la valorisation des écosystèmes prairiaux, la sécurité alimentaire, la production de revenus et la fertilisation organique des autres cultures. ...
Grassland ecosystems occupy more than 40% of the Earth's land area in a variety of edapho-climatic contexts. Their functioning and understanding are essential in the context of climate change and the increasing global demand for animal-based food products. Previous long-term experiments conducted over more than 10 years have shown that the repeated application of organic and mineral fertilisers over several years has an impact on the agronomic and environmental performance of grasslands. These long�term effects are not sufficiently documented for tropical grasslands.
Thus, to assess the long-term agronomic and environmental effects of different types of organic and/or mineral fertilisation on tropical grasslands in Réunion Island, an experimental fertilisation scheme was carried out over a period of 15 years on tropical grasslands composed mainly of tropical grasses on sandy soils and temperate grasslands composed mainly of temperate grasses on volcanic soils. However, field experiments show their limits in their singularity, especially long-term experiments. Thus, the use of mechanistic models and their parameterisation are important to study the functioning of ecosystems in a broader context. We therefore used the data from the in-situ experiment to parameterise the temperate PASIM model to the tropical conditions observed in Réunion. The experimental set-up showed the in-situ effects of these fertilisations on the nutrient status and organic carbon of the soil. Mineral fertilisation shows some of its limitations on forage production and carbon storage, considering its long-term application, with agronomic benefits fading and environmental benefits limited. Whereas organic fertilisation shows strong positive effects in the long term both on agronomic performance by improving soil nutrient status and in terms of carbon storage. The model showed a good level of production both in terms of forage production and soil carbon dynamics, while highlighting certain limitations of the model, in particular with regard to the long-term effects of certain fertilisation and certain specific characteristics of tropical soils. These limitations raise the question of the possible complexification of these models.Thus, this study shows the interest and the need for long-term experiments specific to the tropical context, completed by simulation models integrating the maximum of specificities of the tropical context, in terms of photosynthesis or phenology mechanism representation
... Lean meat is considered protein-rich, with an average protein content of about 22%, and has a balanced essential amino acid composition, playing an essential role in the human diet [2]. However, the increasing global production and consumption of meat has triggered global environmental concerns in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land use, pollution, and biodiversity loss [3][4][5][6]. To address this issue, calls for a reduction in meat consumption and an increase in the production of alternative proteins have been proposed [7]. ...
... The protein solubility of CF at different pH levels (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) and NaCl concentrations (0-2.5 M) was determined using the method outlined by Kim et al. (2017) [23]. To investigate how pH affects protein solubility, 1 g of CF was weighed in a centrifuge tube and mixed (vortex 30 s) with 10 mL Milli-Q water. ...
This study aimed to study the functionalities of cricket flour (CF) and the effects of the addition of CF on the texture and oxidative stability of hybrid sausages made from lean pork and CF. Functional properties of CF, including protein solubility, water-holding capacity, and gelling capacity, were examined at different pHs, NaCl concentrations, and CF contents in laboratory tests. The protein solubility of CF was significantly affected by pH, being at its lowest at pH 5 (within the range 2–10), and the highest protein solubility toward NaCl concentrations was found at 1.0 M (at pH 6.8). A gel was formed when the CF content was ≥10%. A control sausage was made from lean pork, pork fat, salt, phosphate, and ice water. Three different hybrid sausages were formulated by adding CF at 1%, 2.5%, and 5.0% levels on top of the base (control) recipe. In comparison to control sausage, the textural properties of the CF sausages in terms of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, resilience, and fracturability decreased significantly, which corresponded to the rheological results of the raw sausage batter when heated at a higher temperature range (~45–80 °C). The addition of CF to the base recipe accelerated both lipid and protein oxidation during 14 days of storage, as indicated by the changes in TBARS and carbonyls and the loss of free thiols and tryptophan fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that the addition of CF, even at low levels (≤5%), had negative effects on the texture and oxidative stability of the hybrid sausages.
... High meat intake is not so much the problem, although the Delphic MHΔEN ATAN (Nothing in Excess) applies, as high global variances and lowering these drastically is the solution as a wholesale move to a plant-based diet often with ultra-processed high calorific but cheap foods is problematic [59][60][61][62][63]. The Lancet EAT commission suggested as much but was criticised for not explaining how the under-developed world was going to afford to eat a more varied vegetarian diet or for not fully recognising the need for some animal-sourced produce [64][65][66]. ...
North-South variation in the supply of meat has always been present. Sharing of meat was the rule but in the multi-centric Neolithic revolution when domestication of animals and plants co-evolved class differences became pronounced-aristocrats and inferior proletariats and “lesser breeds and lower orders” started to form. The distribution of natural domesticates was uneven with the near-east and a temperate band across Europe well off compared with Africa and the Americas. The Columbian exchange changed this as meat became abundant in the New World who then exported to Europe. Wars, expropriations and genocides were over the meat supply and acquiring pastureland or water. Colonial plantation profits paid for meat imports from “settler colonies” indigenous or poor peoples on low meat pro-pellagrous diets were considered inferior whatever their colour and had poorer health and life expectancy. Attempts to correct hunger in the resultant ramshackle “Third world” concentrated on calories fuelling population booms and busts and delaying demographic, epidemiological and economic transitions. High meat variances are narrowing in China and Asia but need help elsewhere in the South. Dangers of not developing with a safe and sufficient meat supply include the emergence of zoonoses and mass migration. Reparations, rehabilitation and rejuvenation should concentrate on reconstituting a meat commons giving us a shot at redemption and survival.
... About 90% of sheep are owned by the traditional producers who mainly depend on the natural grazing to raise their animals [4]. The nutritional limitation, low nutritive value of the forages, high ambient temperature, scarcity of feed and water have a great effect on sheep production [5], which could be associated with the activity of the thyroid gland. ...
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the stages of pregnancy in two ecotypes of sheep, located in different grazing areas on thyroid status and certain blood metabolites. Eighty clinically healthy ewes (40 Hamari and 40 Kabashi ecotype) aged 2-5 years were used in the study. For each ecotype, the ewes were divided into four groups according to the reproductive status. Group (A): 10 ewes non-pregnant non-lactating (dry) served as the control. Group (B): 10 ewes in the early stage of pregnancy (first trimester). Group (C): 10 ewes in mid-stage of pregnancy (second trimester). Group (D): 10 ewes in the late stage of pregnancy (third trimester). Blood samples were used to measure serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), plasma glucose concentration and serum triglyceride levels. The study detected that Hamari ecotype was supplied with salt and minerals block during watering by its owners. The results showed that in both ecotypes, the serum TSH levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher during the early stage of pregnancy then, it decreased significantly (P<0.01) as the pregnancy advanced. While serum T4 levels were higher during the early stage of pregnancy, then it decreased significantly (P<0.01) during the late pregnancy in both ecotypes. Serum T3 level was significantly (P<0.001) higher in both ecotypes during early and mid-pregnancy, then declined to the lowest value during the late stage. The plasma glucose level was significantly (P<0.001) lower during mid and late pregnancy in both ecotypes. There was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in serum triglyceride level when pregnancy advanced in both ecotypes. Kabashi ecotype showed significantly higher serum triglyceride levels in the control group (P<0.001) during early pregnancy stage (P<0.01) and mid pregnancy stage (P<0.05) compared to the values of serum triglyceride levels in Hamari ecotypes. This study indicated that pregnancy altered thyroid status in both ecotypes, however, the influence of pregnancy on the thyroid status was less in the Hamary ecotype which supplemented by mineral and salt blocks. Therefore, supplementation with minerals during pregnancy might enhance the metabolic profile on the natural pasture grazing.
... Currently, there is a need to define healthy flow conditions in temporary streams, such as the minimum annual baseflow, in order to prevent and manage risks that could affect the surrounding ecosystem [1]. A temporary stream is described in the literature as a stream that does not have year-round surface flow [2]. ...
In this study, a comprehensive methodology was adapted to determine the environmental flow regime of "La Yerbabuena", a temporary stream located in the Aguascalientes Valley, Mexico. The analysis was divided into four stages: the geomorphological watershed analysis, a hydrologic analysis, hydraulic modeling, and environmental analysis. The main geomorphological features of the study area were defined from maps in the spatial block, and with them, a synthetic series of daily and monthly discharge was determined and further used in the next stages. In the hydrological stage, the IHA (Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration) methodology and the procedures from the Mexican regulation, named NMX-159, were applied to the stream, and their results were comparatively analyzed. A similar interannual flow variation from both methodologies was found for wet and dry seasons, ranging from 0.010 to 0.108 m 3 /s. In the hydraulic modeling stage, a micro-basin part of the stream was modeled in the software HEC RAS, observing that the IHA methodology results had water levels that matched the baseflow of the stream, which allows understanding the hydraulic behavior of the water flow through the generation of different profiles in function of the rainy season. Finally, for the environmental stage, the hydrological health of the stream was evaluated using the software Flow Health, additionally observing that the IHA methodology was closer to the desired water level of the reference. This study demonstrates that the proposed methodology achieves the objectives defined by the NMX-159, which establishes a streamflow regime considering a natural interval of hydrologic variability in both ordinary and after-disturbance conditions. This application of the methodology for temporary streams provides an understanding of the hydrological behavior of the environmental flow throughout the year, and regarding the existing regulations, it presents a correlation with the obtained results, as well as greater precision in the dry season.
... An ever-increasing world population, along with constantly rising economic growth and urbanization, leads to an increase in demand for high-value protein, exerting further strain on the world's livestock production industry. This growth would most likely have a detrimental impact on the environment, taking into account carbon emissions, land and water use, public health hazards, etc. (Steinfeld et al. 2006;Klunder et al. 2012). In this regard, edible insects provide a potentially sustainable alternative to meet the increasing need for nutritional foods and proteins (van Huis et al. 2013). ...
The world population is expanding, and with it, so is the need for proteins for the food and feed sectors. Conventional livestock production is correlated with negative environmental repercussions such as global warming, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. The nutritional content of edible insects is comparable to that of conventional meat, and insect farming offers various environmental advantages over livestock production, making it a favorable sustainable protein resource. However, to be placed on the market, insects should be processed, and their microbial load should be within the accepted range of the European Commission regulation (EU) 2021/882. The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) technology for the microbial inactivation of yellow mealworm larvae. This innovative decontamination treatment was compared to blanching in hot water, the conventional processing method. We also investigated the impacts on enzymatic browning. Results showed that the application of rapid (20 s) DIC treatment at 0.3 MPa allowed reducing the total aerobic count and the total yeast and mold count of larvae below the thresholds authorized by the commission regulation. Pressure, temperature, and number of cycle factors were found to have significant effects on the decontamination, while the treatment time had no effect for most treatments. In regard to blanching, we were able to get the authorized load at 90 °C for 360 s. Decimal reduction times for DIC and blanching treatments were found to be 3.8 s and 67.8 s for total aerobic count, and 3 s and 57 s for total yeast and mold count, respectively. Furthermore, DIC-treated larvae showed a significant increase in juice color brightness, which could be traced back to the oxidative enzymatic inactivation of larvae, whereas there was a slight difference between blanched and untreated larvae juice colors.
... Since 2006, when the much-quoted FAO report Livestock's Long Shadow [1] was published, increasing attention has been paid to the environmental challenges brought about by the cattle industry [2,3]. Problems pile up. ...
The increased attention drawn to the negative environmental impact of the cattle industry has fostered a host of market- and research-driven initiatives among relevant actors. While the identification of some of the most problematic environmental impacts of cattle is seemingly more or less unanimous, solutions are complex and might even point in opposite directions. Whereas one set of solutions seeks to further optimize sustainability pr. unit produced, e.g., by exploring and altering the relations between elements kinetically moving one another inside the cow’s rumen, this opinion points to different paths. While acknowledging the importance of possible technological interventions to optimize what occurs inside the rumen, we suggest that broader visions of the potential negative outcomes of further optimization are also needed. Accordingly, we raise two concerns regarding a focus on solving emissions through feedstuff development. First, we are concerned about whether the development of feed additives overshadows discussions about downscaling and, second, whether a narrow focus on reducing enteric gasses brackets other relations between cattle and landscapes. Our hesitations are rooted in a Danish context, where the agricultural sector—mainly a large-scale technologically driven livestock production—contributes significantly to the total emission of CO2 equivalents.
Adaptive resilience of pastoralists is defined by their social, economic, cultural and ecological contributions in the face of environmental uncertainties and other vulnerabilities. Pastoral resilience in drylands is characterized by their mobility, diversity, flexibility and reciprocity which, in turn, effectively regulate pastoral socio-economics. The impending threat of climate change threatens to weaken the centuries-old pastoral production systems and their livelihoods. However, the inherent capabilities of these systems can be exploited to develop pastoralism-centric policies against climate change. Further, these resilient systems can be strengthened through certain short-term (like developing customized insurance products, early warning systems and credit access) and long-term (like improvement in basic infrastructure and services, acknowledging their ecological contribution through monetary and other means, land tenure rights to pastoralists and promotion of cross-border pastoralism) adaptation strategies for building a climate-friendly future. Effective pastoralism is the way forward for sustaining dryland ecosystems in changing climates.
The overlapping crises of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and climate change are two of the greatest challenges facing our global population. Dietary shifts have been identified as a critical leverage point to enact large-scale transformations to safeguard the health of humans and the planet. Dietary approaches for T2D and for mitigating environmental impact have been extensively studied as demonstrated by large separate bodies of evidence. A small number of emerging studies have jointly assessed the impacts of diets on T2D-related outcomes and the environment. In this review, we take an integrated approach to explore dietary strategies for the co-benefits for type 2 diabetes and the natural environment. Current evidence supports shifts towards diverse, healthful plant-based diets high in wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and vegetable oils and low in animal-based foods particularly red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages as a leading strategy for prevention and treatment of T2D and mitigation of environmental impact. Dietary shifts towards healthful plant-based diets should align with regional dietary recommendations with consideration for local contexts and available resources. While the inextricable links between human and planetary health are increasingly appreciated, it is now evident that these challenges should be considered simultaneously for effective solutions. Breaking down the siloes and taking integrated approaches may also maximize potential for implementation by attracting collaboration and shared resources, funding, and effort.
There is a general perception that ruminants produce large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) which contribute to global warming. Ruminant production is also known as the world’s largest user of land, and southern Africa is no exception. Recent estimates indicate that livestock are responsible for approximately 4% of the world’s GHG emissions through methane production, compared with an initial estimate of 18% by the FAO. Estimates indicate that the total GHG emissions directly related to livestock production in southern Africa did not increase over a period of 20 years, whereas the intensity of livestock–production-related GHG emissions (per kg animal product) was reduced by 40%. This may be the result of increased livestock productivity and breed selection. For instance, increases in the productivity of four indigenous beef cattle breeds decreased the calculated carbon footprint by 7–12%. Recent studies indicated that the methane intensity between beef breeds in South Africa can differ by 44%, and that crossbreeding can have small to moderate effects on the carbon footprint of weaner calf production. Interventions such as the use of indigenous and adapted genotypes, alternative breeding objectives, alternative production systems as well as sustainable management will be key to environmentally friendly livestock production.
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