Livestock Biodiversity and Agroecosystems

The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge on the protection of animal biodiversity and on the management of livestock systems in agricultural contexts of naturalistic and landscape value, with particular attention to the interaction with the territory as well as to aspects of productivity and sustainability. It addresses the problem of safeguarding animal genetic resources of zootechnical interest, in particular the management and valorization of local breeds used in extensive systems. The course provides the conceptual and applied tools to analyse livestock systems as agroecosystems, as functional units in which biotic, abiotic, managerial, and economic components interact. The objective is to develop an integrated reading of farming systems that goes beyond the productive dimension alone and includes ecosystem services, biogeochemical cycles, environmental pressures, biodiversity, and governance mechanisms.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Students must demonstrate knowledge of the biodiversity of farmed animal species, of the analytical methodologies and tools available for the genetic characterization of breeds and their conservation, as well as of the theoretical and practical concepts used to protect them. They must also know the structure and functioning of livestock agroecosystems, the main conceptual tools of agroecology, the mechanisms underpinning the delivery of ecosystem services, and the interactions between livestock production and soil, water, climate and biodiversity, as well as the policy framework, economic instruments and market mechanisms governing the sustainability of livestock systems.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must demonstrate the ability to use specific technical and methodological tools (including dedicated software, databases, and tools for the analysis of genomic and laboratory data) to address case studies and propose practical solutions in the field of breed characterization and conservation. They must also be able to characterize a real livestock system in terms of its typology, multifunctionality and sustainability profile, calculate basic environmental indicators (carbon footprint, nitrogen and phosphorus balances, water footprint), and identify the public policy and market instruments applicable to a given agroecosystem.
3. Making judgements
Students must demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the information acquired, assessing sources, laboratory data and the results of genomic analyses. They must also develop critical judgement in the comparative assessment of production systems from a multidimensional sustainability perspective, recognizing trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services and productive objectives.
4. Communication skills
Students must demonstrate the ability to express themselves using scientifically appropriate terminology, particularly with regard to animal genetics, genomics applied to livestock science, and the conservation of small populations. They must also be able to present, both orally and in writing, the results of a technical and ecological analysis of a livestock agroecosystem, using agroecological and environmental terminology correctly.
5. Lifelong learning skills
Students must demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to interpret new phenomena and address complex problems, independently drawing on scientific databases, publications, and European and national regulatory documents, while developing a critical, systemic and interdisciplinary approach to emerging issues in agro-livestock sustainability.