The role of small ruminants on global climate change

ABSTRACT. Global warming, as a consequence of excessive CO2 production mainly due to anthropogenic actions, is one of the main concerns of society due to the effects it can cause in the survival of humans, plants and animals. Several climatic consequences have already been reported, such as warming the oceans and changing biodiversity in various regions of the planet. One of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, which causes a lot of concern, is methane gas from digestion of food by ruminants. Besides that, emissions of greenhouse gases are represented also by waste management, rice cultivation, burning of residues from agriculture and soil management for agricultural production. Among ruminants, sheep and goats play an important economic role mainly in Oceania, Asia and Africa. More than 50% of small ruminants of the world are located in arid region, indicating their adaptability and future suitability to increasing temperatures. The purpose of this review is to report current knowledge about the methane emission produced by small ruminants, addressing the different interfaces of this theme, and considering possible mitigation strategies.

摘要：全球变暖主要由人为活动导致的过量二氧化碳排放所引发，其对人类、植物与动物的生存可造成诸多负面影响，因此成为社会高度关注的核心议题之一。目前已有多项气候影响被报道，包括海洋升温以及全球各区域生物多样性发生改变。在诸多引发全球变暖的温室气体中，反刍动物食物消化过程产生的甲烷备受关注。除此之外，温室气体排放还涵盖了废弃物处理、水稻种植、农业残余物焚烧以及农业生产中的土壤管理等环节。在反刍动物类群中，绵羊与山羊在大洋洲、亚洲及非洲地区具有重要的经济地位。全球超过50%的小型反刍动物栖息于干旱地区，这体现出它们较强的环境适应能力，以及在气温持续升高背景下的未来适配性。本综述旨在梳理当前关于小型反刍动物甲烷排放的相关研究认知，探讨该主题的多个维度，并探讨可行的减排策略。