HE climate change has a significant effect on animals worldwide, both domestic and wild. A new scientific study has come about.devastating consequences“This means a 2°C increase in atmospheric temperature for animals on the planet compared to pre-industrial levels. Dairy cows and chickens are the domestic animals most affected by the effects of climate change.when it comes to wild animals, they are African elephants, bats, zebrafish, Stony Creek frogs and koalas.
The research, published in the journal ‘CABI Review’, reached three main conclusions. one that global warming will have ‘absolutely devastating’ effects for poor countries On the resources that depend on them to feed themselves, because in addition, they will be most affected by climate change. Two, heat stress in dairy cows Reduces milk production by 35%. and three what Chickens will be at serious risk If the planet continues to warm, why? they cannot sweat to regulate their body temperature.
Heat stress reduces milk production by 35% in dairy cows
The problem is serious for people toobecause the diet of a good part of the planet’s inhabitants depends on chicken meat and beef milk.
“Animal welfare is an integral component of human-animal interaction and is of great importance for the rehabilitation of wildlife and domestic animals. Animal welfare can be assessed using a five-domain model that includes: nutrition, environment, Physical health, behaviour And mental qualities “An animal’s response to environmental change,” the study says.
food insecurity
The researchers used it to evaluate some of these areas in the study. effects of stress on animals and improve their management and well-being. While there are differences in the way animals biologically respond to stress, overall the five-domain model provides a robust tool for research use and assessing the immediate effects of climate variability on animals.
“We provide animal samples from various countries in both aquatic and terrestrial systems and an overview of the effects of climate change on each of the five areas of animal welfare,” the authors tell SciDev.Net.
“We hope that future researchers will apply the fields of animal welfare to assess how climate change is affecting animals, and further research protect animals from the devastating effects of climate change“, they indicate.
“It might be low resource zones “We do not have adequate support mechanisms to mitigate the effects of factors such as heat stress and major droughts,” said lead author and Senior Lecturer Edward Narayan at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at the University of Queensland in Australia.
Also, animals may not be provided with appropriate food, water and resources as a result of global warming. cascading effects about food availability, scarcity and food insecurity.
After reviewing current research using samples of invertebrate and vertebrate species from around the world, the scientists concluded that heat stress in dairy cows causes a 35% reduction in milk production. significantly affected lactation, immune functioning and calf health.
Hotter, worse meat
According to the review, Chickens exposed to hot conditions are also greatly affected: they have a lower quality of life and lower meat quality.. The welfare of birds, especially chickens living in warmer conditions, is of great concern as they do not have the ability to regulate heat. absence of sweat glands.
The effects on the diet of the population can be enormous in many countries around the world.
“Resources should be invested in poor countries to help small farmers living in remote villages achieve adequate animal welfare,” Narayan told SciDev.Net.
“The main points are nutrition and an access suitable environmental space and enrichment,” he adds. “Animal welfare is a new topic for many developing countries; education should be facilitated and this will require funding.”
Other scientists not involved in the study also confirmed the findings. That’s why Philip Thornton, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Geosciences in the UK and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, states:Heat stress caused by combinations of temperature and relative humidity can have enormous effects on animal productivity by reducing the amount of milk, meat or eggs produced.with price effects consumers, small producers and food safety“.
Animal food is vital for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under the age of five.
given Animal foods are vital for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five.these effects are expected to have major implications for food security,” warns Thornton.
Experts advocate more specific studies on the impact of climate change on animals, especially in eastern and southern Africa. Also analyze the effects of other ecological variables such as: droughtHE human population growth or infrastructure development.
Reference report: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabireviews.2023.0020
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