How to use the Livestock/Environment Toolbox

Objectives of Toolbox The objective of the toolbox is to help users to identify the links between specific processes which lead to positive or negative impacts of livestock on the environment and technology or policy options which can enhance the positive and/or mitigate the negative effects. Identification of the links can start either: by evaluating the impacts of livestock management systems on the environment (IIa), or by assessing the impact of implementing specified technology or policy options on the environment (IIb). | Objectives Content Navigation Structure Diagram View Manual as Acrobat file (To obtain a printed version of the manual, first view the Acrobat file then use Acrobat to print the document)

Content of Toolbox

A diagram showing the linkages between the different components of the toolbox is given in Fig. 1, clicking on a box will take you to the relevant page.

The pages separate into analytical tools which help the user define their question very tightly, information tools which provide the options in response and communication tools, which describe roles and options for training, extension and awareness creation and a zipped version of the toolbox which can be downloaded from the web site onto a CD.

Analytical tools

For evaluating impacts of existing livestock management systems(IIa): the descriptions of systems (III) and agro-ecological zones (IV) are designed to help the user identify the key aspects of the environment and system which are particularly sensitive to interactions between livestock and the environment.

The matrices of risks and opportunities (V) help to identify possible causes of the interactions between livestock and the environment (VI) and the pages on environmental assessment (VII) are designed to help the user verify whether the cause described does apply in the system and environment specified at the start.

Information tools

For assessing the impact of specified technologies and/or policies(IIb): the technologies are listed both by objective (XII) (increasing food supply, improving health status etc) and alphabetically (VIII), while the policy options are listed by livestock management system (XI) and alphabetically (IX).

Communication tools

Downloading: the toolbox (with all the internal links attached) can be downloaded from the web for use on a PC by clicking on the green button on the left hand side entitled ‘download’. Clicking on the appropriate buttons leads to easy to follow instructions. A powerpoint presentation for use in workshops or talks to raise awareness of issues associated with livestock and the environment can be downloaded from the same page.

Training, extension and awareness creation: this tool includes cross-referencing to web sites which indicate how to access training in participatory analysis, which will help in the organisation of stakeholder consultations, which are considered an essential part in the implementation of national or regional environmental plans. The tool also links through to the powerpoint presentation referred to above.

Navigation through the toolbox

General

Information in the toolbox is stored in separate files. Key files, such as the structure, systems, options and communication tools can be accessed from anywhere in the toolbox by double clicking on green buttons down the left had side of the screen. If you use the search engine you ‘lose’ the green buttons, but clicking on the ‘Livestock and Environment Home’ text at the foot of the page will return you to the Home Page. Links between files (underlined in red or purple) are arranged to direct the reader to the most appropriate part of the file.

Logical progress through the toolbox as illustrated in the structure diagram is made by selecting the appropriate green matrix buttons embedded within the systems or options pages and then double clicking on the appropriate text for further information on an underlying factor or specific option, and then moving on to an information tool underlined at the foot of each page.

Access to background information or to expanded definitions of some concepts is provided within the text where underlining in red or purple appears. Some references are provided in full in the document, but provision of all was not recommended as this would have slowed up the speed of response of the toolbox.

Specific

To evaluate the impact of existing livestock management systems

- select the relevant livestock production system (IIIa, b or c)
- review environmental risks and benefits by system, select those that are relevant
- review and assess underlying factors thought to be responsible for the impacts within the system and use the environmental module (Pressure State Response) to help with verification of that causal effect
- review policy options to enhance positive or mitigate negative impacts
- review technical options to enhance positive or mitigate negative impacts
- review training, extension and awareness creation module for assistance in involving stakeholders in the selection and implementation of options

To assess the impact of specified technologies and/or policies

- select the relevant description of options (X or XI)
- either view the matrix if objective of option (increase feed availability, improve animal health) is known rather than seeking information on a specific option, or if the latter select alphabetical listing (VIII)
- from matrix selection objective the user is then provided with a range of objectives and clicking on an objective leads to a range of options to meet that objective, together with the resource on which they impact, the generic systems in which they are likely to be applicable and the way in which they exert their impact.
- clicking on the technology then leads to a page descriptor of the technology, its impact, cost etc.
- alternatively if searching for information on a specific technology, select from the alphabetical list to lead to the page descriptor.

Figure 1 Outline Structure of the Toolbox

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