454
S. A. Attia-Ismail
identified. Even though, the effect of extreme climate weather changes such as heat
waves, droughts, strong wind, and heavy rains is still debatable among scientists.
On the other hand, with increasing temperature, growing seasons will elongate, thus,
opening doors for the use of potential new forage species and cultivars. This also
means that a significant decline, and sometimes, complete elimination of crops may
occur. The growing seasons will get longer because of expected climatic changes and,
therefore, the sustainability of crop production is expected to decline in all tropical
areas.
Changes in agricultural techniques and management practices also will take
place to cope up with climatic change. New technologies, the introduction of varieties/hybrids and/or selective breeding should take top priority as a means to cope
up with climatic changes.
However, whereas the growth of plants is influenced by climate change impacts,
the plants at the same time have their influence on the development of climate change.
Plants absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, use it in photosynthesis and finally release
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
2.1 Effect of Climate Changes on Animal and Feed
Production
2.1.1 Effect on Animals
There is a reciprocal effect between climate change and animal production. The
production of livestock contributes about 37% of total methane, 65% nitrous oxide
and 9% of carbon dioxide emissions, all of which makes up to about 18% of global
greenhouse gas emissions from all human activities. In addition, 64% of ammonia
emissions come from livestock production and contaminate air, soil, and water, and
cause acid rain and damage to the ozone layer [5].
On the other hand, the farm animals are prone to the adverse impacts of the
changes in climate. For instance, the increments in air temperature and humidity can
cause stress to the animals, therefore, decrease their productivity. In periods of heat
increment, the reproduction, and appetite of animals declines. Appetite decrement
may elongate the time required to reach a targeted weight because animals consume
almost half of their feed intake. Decreased feed intake is a major cause of deteriorated
animal production and health. The heat waves usually happen to occur during the
night—in some areas—which may lead to increasing mortality rate among animals.
However, animals have mechanisms to adapt to the hot climate. Sometimes the
adverse impacts of climate change might be disadvantageous. The effects of climate
change on animals are either direct or indirect. The direct effects manifestations come
from the increased atmospheric temperature (Fig. 2).
Temperatures changes (either very cold or very hot) may result in increased
heat production by the animal (that is more loss of energy), and consequently less
S. A. Attia-Ismail
identified. Even though, the effect of extreme climate weather changes such as heat
waves, droughts, strong wind, and heavy rains is still debatable among scientists.
On the other hand, with increasing temperature, growing seasons will elongate, thus,
opening doors for the use of potential new forage species and cultivars. This also
means that a significant decline, and sometimes, complete elimination of crops may
occur. The growing seasons will get longer because of expected climatic changes and,
therefore, the sustainability of crop production is expected to decline in all tropical
areas.
Changes in agricultural techniques and management practices also will take
place to cope up with climatic change. New technologies, the introduction of varieties/hybrids and/or selective breeding should take top priority as a means to cope
up with climatic changes.
However, whereas the growth of plants is influenced by climate change impacts,
the plants at the same time have their influence on the development of climate change.
Plants absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, use it in photosynthesis and finally release
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
2.1 Effect of Climate Changes on Animal and Feed
Production
2.1.1 Effect on Animals
There is a reciprocal effect between climate change and animal production. The
production of livestock contributes about 37% of total methane, 65% nitrous oxide
and 9% of carbon dioxide emissions, all of which makes up to about 18% of global
greenhouse gas emissions from all human activities. In addition, 64% of ammonia
emissions come from livestock production and contaminate air, soil, and water, and
cause acid rain and damage to the ozone layer [5].
On the other hand, the farm animals are prone to the adverse impacts of the
changes in climate. For instance, the increments in air temperature and humidity can
cause stress to the animals, therefore, decrease their productivity. In periods of heat
increment, the reproduction, and appetite of animals declines. Appetite decrement
may elongate the time required to reach a targeted weight because animals consume
almost half of their feed intake. Decreased feed intake is a major cause of deteriorated
animal production and health. The heat waves usually happen to occur during the
night—in some areas—which may lead to increasing mortality rate among animals.
However, animals have mechanisms to adapt to the hot climate. Sometimes the
adverse impacts of climate change might be disadvantageous. The effects of climate
change on animals are either direct or indirect. The direct effects manifestations come
from the increased atmospheric temperature (Fig. 2).
Temperatures changes (either very cold or very hot) may result in increased
heat production by the animal (that is more loss of energy), and consequently less