International Livestock Research Institute -- Periodicals.

Livestock biodiversity is integral to our culture, history, environment, economy and, most importantly, our future. Thousands of livestock breeds, from relatively small genetic pools, have evolved over time to suit particular environments and farming systems. This is both the result of natural processes and of human needs for specialized livestock – as our knowledge of genetics continues to increase we achieve a greater understanding of how this biodiversity evolved. This book offers a detailed and comprehensive overview of livestock biodiversity. It explores the history behind it, shows how livestock biodiversity can be utilized as animal genetic resources through breed development and by crossbreeding, examines the state of world livestock biodiversity today, and emphasizes the importance of conserving and developing the biodiversity of livestock. Special consideration is given to: • How livestock biodiversity arose and is maintained in relation to human society • How it can be used in sustainable agricultural development • How it can be conserved for the benefit of present and future generations • Why conservation biologists, as well as agriculturists, should be involved in its protection

This report provides a conceptual framework to address food security under conditions of water scarcity in agriculture. It has been prepared by a team of FAO staff and consultants in the framework of the project "Coping with water scarcity: the role of agriculture?," and has been discussed at an Expert Consultation meeting organized in FAO, Rome in December 2009 on the same subject. It was subsequently edited and revised, taking account of discussions in the Expert Consultation and materials presented to the meeting. The document offers views on the conceptual framework on which FAO's water scarcity program should be based, proposes a set of definitions associated with the concept of water scarcity, and indicates the main principles on which FAO should base its action in support to its member countries.

The rapid spread of large-scale industrial livestock production focusing on a narrow range of breeds is the biggest threat to the world's farm animal diversity, domestic animal diversity is being lost at an alarming rate. Worldwide, local livestock breed are being crossed or replaced with higher-yielding animals. In collaboration with livestock communities, research centres, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, FAO identified and documented 13 case studies, presented in this publication, on how communities manage their local animal genetic resources. These cases studies demonstrate that local knowledge is crucial in preserving the equilibrium between farmers, their animals and the environment. However, livestock keepers' role in maintaining this balance and conserving biodiversity is under a great deal of pressure. This study aims to raise awareness and subsequently encourage decision-makers to include conservation and development of animal genetic resources in legal, regulatory and institutional planning.