Page 162 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 1

The significance of pastures

Results and Discussion

The main factor that turns climate change into “climate crisis” is the negative
externalities on the environment/nature as a result of actions done with an
anthropocentric approach. The most obvious of these are industrialization,
urbanization and industrial neoliberal agricultural systems as well as
increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. It is seen that most
of the greenhouse gas emissions based on agricultural sectors result from
livestock breeding practices. Although there is frequent reference to intensive
production to mitigate emissions, it is observed that the disadvantages in the
case of extensive production result from wrong livestock breeding practices
and the loss of pastures in the process.
Pastures, which host a variety of plants, have been supplying rural
producers with forage plants since ancient times. It is seen that as in the case
of some correct livestock breeding practices (e.g., Datça Taşlıca Village),
land and fertilizer management is possible through modern and restorative
agricultural practices. It is observed that livestock breeding practices utilizing
extensive production and grazing in pastures (animal effect) will make
essential contributions to local ecosystems. In order to mitigate the emerging
greenhouse gas emissions, there is need for utilization of the ecosystem
means and services of holistic grazing management (Anadolu Meraları, 2021).
To prevent livestock breeding malpractices, modern agricultural
technologies, training of farmers and breeders, and holistic restorative
agricultural practices should be promoted. This is important for rural
development and global climate change adaptation strategies at a larger
scale. Thus, in the future, sustainable use of natural assets can be managed
in Türkiye without sacrificing from product quality, regional competitiveness
and animal welfare, and local sustainable development can be maintained
through modern livestock breeding practices.
It is frequently observed in Türkiye that after improvements, pastures lose
their fertility once again due to malpractices such as excessive or insufficient
grazing in pastures, appropriation of pastures for other agricultural and/or
non-agricultural purposes, the lack of coordination observed in field studies,
lack of monitoring and supervision, and legal gaps. These are important factors
that prevents climate change adaptation processes. For the sustainability of
restorative and modern livestock breeding practices, informative education
and publication studies should be increased.
To better utilize the extensive livestock breeding potential, there needs to
be variety in species and products in pastures. For this purpose, in addition
to sheep, more species such as goats and cattle as well as boars and poultry
animals and apiculture should be introduced. Moreover, alternative products

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