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Chapter 2: Where and how it happens
Hot spots of livestock - Environment interactions
Global overlays
Underlying causes
LIVESTOCK CAN damage land and vegetation in a number of different ways but there are also many examples of environmental balance and positive contributions. Livestock interact with land (which includes soil and vegetation), water, air, and plant and animal biodiversity. About 34 million kmē or 26 percent of the world's land area is used for grazing livestock. In addition, 3 million kmē or about 21 percent of the world's arable area is used for cereal production for livestock feed. Livestock produce approximately thirteen billion tons of waste. A large part of this is recycled but, where animal concentrations are high, waste poses an enormous environmental hazard. Livestock grazing can affect the water balance in certain areas. Water is needed for fodder and feed concentrate production, as drinking water for animals, and to drain surplus waste and chemicals. Livestock interact directly and indirectly with biodiversity; while often biodiversity is compromised there are also examples of mutual benefits. Livestock, and livestock wastes, cause gaseous emissions with important local and global impact on the environment.
