Evaluation of the Impact of Livestock Management Systems on the Environment

The toolbox is based on a primary classification of livestock production into grazing, mixed (crop/livestock) and industrial (intensive) management systems. Grazing systems are further divided by climatic zones. The entry point is to define the system of interest – descriptions of the key features of each system are provided to help ensure the appropriate system is selected.

Each system is linked to a matrix describing potential effects of livestock on environmental resources, via: land, water, vegetation, biodiversity and the atmosphere. Both beneficial (+) and deleterious (-) effects are listed, together with the underlying causes of these effects.

These causes are linked to pages with brief descriptions that enable further assessment of the potential underlying causes and effects and which also provide links to policy and technology options to alleviate the negative effects or enhance the positive effects. Environmental assessment of the underlying causes is provided via sets of indicators developed through a Pressure-State-Response Framework. For a list of underlying causes click here.

Go to: Livestock Production Systems or move directly to individual systems: Grazing Mixed Industrial |  | View the description of Agro-Ecological Zones used by the Toolbox or an overview of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring

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