Goats and Climate Change: A Model for Resilient Animal Production Systems
Climate Change and Livestock Production: Concepts and Technologies for Resilience and Sustainability, CRC Press, ss.74-87, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1201/9781003737933-10
- Yayınevi: CRC Press
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.74-87
- Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Climate change acts as a serious threat to livestock production, especially in areas that are experiencing extreme temperatures and resource degradation. Climate change has grave ramifications on growth, reproductive performance, production, health and welfare of livestock. Livestock production contributes a major share to gross domestic product (GDP) of the agriculture sector, as well as global protein and calories, ensuring nutrition, livelihood and economic security. However, following the projected population growth and urbanization, demand for livestock products will ascend swiftly, alongside the growing impacts of climatic pressures. Thus, the detrimental consequences of climate crises on livestock have prompted researchers to identify climate-resilient livestock species, due to differences in sensitivity among species. Goats represent a resilient and adaptable option for sustaining productivity under marginal environments. This chapter examines the climate-resilient potential of goats, collectively unravelling the physiological, metabolic and genetic basis of adaptation. It further explores genetic diversity among goat breeds and the recent technological insights that reveal their structural variations, adaptation signatures and evolutionary changes supporting resilience. Parallel to the conservation of indigenous flock using genomics-based selection strategies for stress tolerance, other technological innovations are also discussed. Further, sustainable production models ensure climate resiliency in housing, feeding and rangeland management. The circular bioeconomy framework and socio-economic merits of goat rearing also promote climate resiliency. Refined policy frameworks and innovations in precision goat farming are also proposed to strengthen resiliency of the sector. Thus, the above insights position goats as an ideal climate-resilient animal model that ensures sustainable and equitable production in a challenging climate.