ECOSYSTEM AND LIVESTOCK

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of

their environment (things like air, water and mineral, soil), interacting as a system.

Livestock are domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as
food, fiber and labor.

INTERRELATIONSHIP
The interaction of livestock with ecosystems is complex and depends on location and management
practices. In most traditional livestock production systems, locally available resources with limited
alternative uses were practiced. Example of such resources includes crop residues, extensive grazing
land not suitable for cropping or other uses. At the same time, in mixed production systems, livestock
often provide valuable inputs to crop production, ensuring a close integration between the two.

Livestock production in Nepal

Livestock farming is an important agricultural sub-sector in Nepal. According to the data from Central
Beureu of Statistics (CBS 2011), livestock covers approximately about 32% of Agricultural Gross
Domestic Product (AGDP) and about 11.5% of total country Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The growth rate of livestock is less than that of fisheries and cash crop but the contribution of
livestock farming on overall AGDP is more than fisheries and cash crop of agriculture. According to
Ministry of Agriculture Development (MOAC) statistics 2011/12, the overall growth of livestock is
5.3% per annum. The growth rate of buffalo, pigs, milking buffalo and fowl was very good compared
to cattle, sheep, duck, laying duck.

Nepal is the worlds fourth most vulnerable country to climate change due to fragile ecosystem which
is very sensitive to even slight changes in natural climate, weaker geological situation and complex
topography (Maplecroft, 2011)
Impacts of Climate change on Livestock production system
Animal is best integrator of all climate and environment variables and it is through direct
measurement on animal that effect of environment can be most accurately judged. Impact of climate
and environment on animals is complex. For example; Environments having similar air temperature
and humidity but differ wind speed have different effect on animals in terms of its ability to maintain
body temperature. Likewise animals with light colored sleek coats absorb less heat from
environment then dark wooly coated animals. Also the measurement of environmental variables to
predict what the likely effects might be on animal, without prior knowledge of how particular
genotype responds to such environment can be misleading.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) predicts that by 2100, increase in global average
surface temperature may be between 1.8 0C and 4.00C. With increase of 1.50C to 2.50C, approximately
20 to 30% of plant and animal species are expected to be at risk of extinction.

Responses of animal to climate change includes; adaptation and mitigation. Direct effects of climate
change includes

Increase in temperature and changing rainfall patterns causes increased spread of existing
vector borne diseases and macroparasites accompanied by emergence and circulation of
new diseases
In some areas, climate change generate new transmission models
Lack of water and increase frequency of drought in certain areas cause loss of resources with
consequent effects in livestock production system

Major environmental to high productivity are ambient temperature and humidity, annual and
seasonal availability of feed resources, internal and external parasites and a variety of bacterial and
viral infections.

1. In milk production
Dairy animal is milk producing factory which converts nutrients, derived from variety of dietary
constituents into complex, marketable and highly nutritious diet. There are number of elements in
environment which must be overcome if an animal is to reproduce and be efficient and highly
productive. Reduction in milk production is one of the major economic impacts of climatic stress in
dairy animal because of the sensitivity of dairy animal to excessive temperature and humidity.

Maintainance of constant body temperature (usually rectal temperature) is a prime requirement for
productive dairy animal. The inability to maintain thermal equilibrium and normal body temperature
under hot condition are observed in several ways. Firstly, animal displays physical signs of discomfort
such as shade seeking, high respiration rate and possibly salivation. Secondly therell be decrease in
feed intake and efficiency of feed utilization accompanied by decrease in milk production.

Thirdly there are unseen effect of high body temperature on physiological and chemical processes
that disrupt normal balances and normal function. This result change to estrus cycle, a reduction in
conception rate, depression in milk yield and changes to milk composition. Estimated milk
production decline per unit increase in THI (Temp-Humidity Index) was 0.32Kg. This is due to reduced
grazing time, reduced feed intake, increase in body temperature, increased sweating and panting and
weight loss. Higher the rectal temperature, lower the plasma corticoids produce less milk and milk
fat and had higher the mastitis test scores. Peripheral glucose utilization takes place after 48 hours of
initiation of heat stress. Prolonged heat stress causes the retention of nitrogen and results low level
of lactation. Every 9.F decrease in temperature increases about 10Kg milk per day within certain
limit.

Magnitude of reduction in milk yield under hot condition depends on following factors;

Environmental condition (air temp. and wind speed, humidity and radiant heat load)
Composition and quality of the diet (digestibility, roughages concentration, end products of
digestion)
Access to fresh water and shade
Genotype (adaptability and milk yield potential)y
Level of management skills

2. Poultry production
Poultry plays an important economic,nutritional and socio-cultural in the livelihood of rural
households in many developing countries, including Nepal.It renders not only economic servicer but
contribute significantly to human food as a primary supplier of meat,egg,raw materials to industrials
to industries, sources of income and employment to people compared to other domestic animal.

Poultry flocks are particularly vulnerable to climate change because there is a range of thermal
conditions within which animals are able to maintain a relatively stable body temperature in their
behavioural and physiological activities. The environmental conditions affecting performance and
health productivity include: temperature, relative humidity, light, sunshine prevailing at a given time,
housing and ventilaton. According to Indian Council for Agricultural Rearch(ICAR) as the ambient
temperature increases to 34 degree Celsius:

The mortality due to heat was significantly high in meat type chickens by 8.4%.
The feed consumption of chickens decreases from 108.3g/bird/day at 31.6 degree Celsius to
68.9g/bird/day at 37.9 degree Celsius.
The egg production also decreases by 6.4% as compared to their standard egg production.

Rainfall and relative humidity provides a conductive environment for breeding of parasites that cause
outbreak of diseases which variably decreases egg production. Temperature reduces the feed intake
of poultry birds because more energy is needed to conserve the heat caused by high temperature .
Hence decrease in rate of feed intake occurs

During the summer season, since the ambient temperature is greater than the Core Body
Temperature, heat stress occurs in the poultry. To reduce the heat stress, the poultry dissipate the
heat in the form of radiation, convection and evaporation. Furthermore, the water intake increases
and feed intake(concentrates) decreases . This results in the decrease in the egg production , egg
quality and egg shell quality, fertility etc. The deleterious effect of heat stress is suppressed by
supplement of vitamin C and E.

3. In growth and meat

There is tremendous effect of climate change on livestocks and aquatics.
Climate change has many bad impacts on growth and development of an animal.
 For the normal growth and development the animal should be acclimatized
to the respective environment. Climate change makes difficult to adapt because the environment is
quite different than previous season. Poor adaptation causes endocrine insufficiency, means growth
and development related hormones are secreted in less amount and even they have impaired
function. A study reveals that the cool season insemination is more successful than warm season
insemination. This might be due to FSH and LH insufficiency during hot season. A heat stressed
pregnant animal suffers from low uterine blood supply due to which fetus is devoid of essential
nutrients needed. When the calving occurs during rainy season animals get ample fodder to fulfill
body requirement that is beneficial to both mother and calf as well as other animals also benefited.

However the changes in climate have altered many aspect of environment.

Summer days are longer with longer duration light and temperature effect on animals than autumn-
winter. During summer only limited green and palatable fodder is available that might deteriorate
the ruminal physiology for synthesis of essential component needed for growth and development.
Temperature-Humidity index equal to 72 is also an important determinant for healthy growth and
development. Endocrinal function is optimum at Thermo-neutral zone (varies among the species).At
TNZ,the rate and efficiency of performance is greatest. Like thyroid gland is active during cool season
that secretes thyroxine for metabolism and heat production. Sudden temperature changes are the
predisposing factor for respiratory disease like pneumonia, influenza and shipping fever. During
drought conditions weight loss is maximum because its muscle its catabolised that directly decrease
meat production but bone is little affected by seasonal checks in nutrition.

Animals are more prone to parasitic infestations during rainy and wet conditions
that is a major reason for stunted growth and hence poor meat production because intermediate
hosts of many parasites are present at this time.

Even deleterious radiations can cause mutations and some mutant genes can inherit to its
descendant leading to suppressed growth and development.

4.In estrous
Estrous is the period in which the animal come in heat for reproduction. It lasts for 21 days in case of
the buffalo. The estrous lasts for 5-27 days and ovulation occurs at 24-28hours after onset of estrous.
Etrous cycle lasts for 21 days.The improved buffalo is capable of breeding throughout the year but in
many countries a seasonal pattern of ovarian activity occurs.

Estrous is generally detected during the morning when the ambient temperature is less. Due to heat
stress, the hypophyseal activity decreases and FSH and LH release decreases. This finally causes the
reduction in the synthesis. Estradiol is responsible for estrous expression. Due to heat stress animal
in heat cannot be detected and this causes confusion in A.I. Heat stress also cause a decrease in
physical activity and finally the estrous behavior also decreases. Heat stress does not decrease the
rate of fertilization after buffalo are inseminated but the quality of ova decreases.

RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY

1. Study sites
Rampur is situated in western part of Chitwan district in Bharatpur Sub-metropolitan city. It is the
tropical region of Nepal which is about 610m above from the sea level. The average annual rainfall is
93.63mm and average annual temperature is 24.62 0C. The average annual relative humidity is 80.05.
We had selected the buffaloes of AFU, Livestock Farm for the research purpose to find the
relationship between livestock and ecosystem.

2. Sampling
Simple random sampling technique is performed for the buffalo selection from the farm. Research is
conducted in 25 buffaloes.

3. Data collection
Secondary data is collected from National Maize Research Centre and AFU, Dairy Department from
Baisakh 1st to Chaitra 30th 2070.

OBSERVATION AND DATA

TABLE NO.1 The data for monthly milk production of 25 buffaloes of AFU, Livestock farm in the year
2070 are collected as;

Buffal Baisa Jest As Shraw Bhad Ash Kar Mang Pous Mag Falgu Chait
o no. kh ha ar an ra oj tik sir h h n ra
1186 62 52 52 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1167 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1189 0 0 0 0 144 142 100 110 145 80 135 105
1235 62 42 0 0 0 0 0 170 200 150 140 95
1273 0 0 0 0 0 238 200 230 240 140 160 130
1238 42 0 0 0 170 216 180 140 160 140 130 60
1255 47 52 36 38 38
1155 31 31
1343 42
1401 52 62 62 62
1261 31 31 0 75 78 82 60 60
1386 98
1191 112 110 105 80 80 78 60 60 50
1302 42 36 46 32 105 95
1321 32 31 31 32
1145 78 62
1328 62 62 62 38
1259 62 62 56 64 42 41 45 35 45 35
1243 124 114 11 96 80 92 95
4
1275 124 124 11 96 74 60 45 50 50 30 40
4
1341 110 110 10 112 48 46 40 30
4
1353 102
1531 96 98 130 115 65 60 50
1252 62 60 60 60 70 65 70
1368 109 87 10 70
0
Avera 56.6 51.2 45. 51.95 58.66 78.8 69 77.14 86.9 63.7 73.7 60.5
ge 7
TABLE NO. 2 The monthly rainfall, humidity and temperature in the year 2070 is;

Month Mean daily temperature(C) Total rainfall(mm) Relative

Maximum Minimum Average humidity(%)
Baisakh 34.6 16 25.3 34.2 87.1
Jestha 35 23.9 29.45 375.9 89.2
Asar 34.2 26.3 30.25 667.5 92.2
Shrawan 33.2 33.7 33.5 16.1 93.6
Bhadra 23.6 28 25.8 7.5 88.6
Ashoj 30.06 29.3 29.68 13 79.9
Kartik 27.33 26.21 26.77 .4 77.76
Mangsir 21.73 20.17 20.95 0 72.08
Poush 17.4 16.66 17.03 0 73.85
Magh 18.53 16.19 17.36 0.3 70.88
Falgun 18.95 16.97 17.96 5.2 68.78
Chaitra 21.93 20.91 21.42 3.4 66.66
Average 26.39 22.86 24.62 93.63 80.05
Total 1123.5
(NMRP,2070/2013-14)

TABLE NO 3.The date of calving and the date of breeding of 25 buffaloes are;

S.N Buffalo Number Date of calving Date of breeding

.
1 1167 2070-2-23 2069-04-13
2 1189 2070-4-14 2069-05-21
3 1353 2070-3-32 2069-05-11
4 1531 2070-4-14 2069-05-23
5 1191 2070-4-26 2069-05-22
6 1145 2070-4-28 2069-05-19
7 1273 2070-4-26 2069-05-23
8 1252 2070-5-18 2069-07-01
9 1235 2070-6-11 2069-08-02
10 1255 2070-6-15 2069-08-04
11 1302 2070-9-18 2069-12-07

4.Analysis:
We observed the milk production average in different months in a year.

100
90
80
70
60
50
Milk production(litre)
40
Av. Temperature(C)
30 Realtive Humidity(%)
20
10
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Generally during the rainy summer, the rainfall,temperature and relative humidity is appropriate for
the fodder growth. Thus the milk production is higher during this period. But during the dry summer
the milk production is lesser due to the low rainfall and high temperature. During the winter season
the R.H is low, temperature is low. So the growth of the fodder and plants donot occur during this
season. The available food is used for maintenance by the organism and milk production decreases.

Buffalo found in our farm is the is the seasonal breeders. The suitable season for the buffalo for
estrous is generally Jestha,Asar and Shrawan but due to the climate change, the estrous has reached
to Shrawan and Bhadra.

We couldnot obtain the expected data from the farm because of improper farm record , carelessness
in milking,etc.

We suggest to the livestock farm department to keep the record correctly,so it maynot produce any
difficulty in the research of the students.

5.Conclusion
From the above research we are able to conclude that the climate change has caused the decrease in
animal productivity, breeding behaviour etc.