Disentangling the Multidimensional Relationship between Livestock Breeds and Ecosystem Services

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Ecology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Growing interest in livestock breed contributions to ecosystem services (ES) and their integration into decision-making processes.
• Challenges exist in assessing the complex, multidimensional relationship between livestock diversity and ES.
• Need for a comprehensive framework to include livestock breeds within the ES framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elaborate on livestock breed characteristics crucial for a comprehensive ES framework.
• To explore the multidimensional nature of livestock breeds: eco-cultural entities, biodiversity components, and drivers of system functioning.
• To enhance understanding of how livestock breeds modulate ES provision for improved conservation and policy.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development.
• Exploration of breeds as eco-cultural entities shaped by anthropogenic and natural factors.
• Analysis of breeds as biodiversity components (goods, final ES, regulators).
• Assessment of breeds' role in livestock system heterogeneity and resilience.

Main Results:

• Livestock breeds are eco-cultural entities, offering opportunities for Nature-Based Solutions and Nature's Contribution to People.
• Breeds function as biodiversity components, providing goods, final ES, and regulating ecosystem processes.
• Breeds enhance livestock system heterogeneity and resilience, influencing ES provision.

Conclusions:

• Integrating the multidimensional aspects of livestock breeds is essential for understanding their role in ES provision.
• This integrated approach can inform better breed conservation strategies and livestock policies for farming system sustainability.
• Recognizing breeds as eco-cultural entities and biodiversity components unlocks potential for sustainable land management.