Abstract
The sustainability of livestock farming systems (LFS) in relation to climate change, population dynamics, food security and provision of agro-ecosystem services has become a central issue of public and scientific debate. Mediterranean pasture-based LFS differ from industrial systems in terms of utilization of natural resources, inputs use and production; besides, the socio-economic, environmental and cultural context is different and so they are the key factors affecting their sustainability. The objective of this paper is to describe a methodological process to select, measure and integrate relevant indicators into a holistic evaluation framework of sustainability for pasture- based LFS. First, we identify critical points of sustainability using a participatory SWOT analysis. Second, we describe, measure and classify indicators according to different systemic attributes of farming systems (productivity, stability/ resilience, adaptability, equity, self-reliance) and pillars of sustainability (economic, social, environmental). Third, we illustrate the integration of these indicators into a global evaluation framework called MESMIS, using for this purpose a case study of Spanish sheep farming systems.
1st and 2nd authors contributed equally in terms of empiric work and analysis of data.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Astier, M. and J. Hollands, 2007. Sustentabilidad y campesinado: seis experiencias agroecológicas en Latinoamérica. Mundiprensa, México, 262 pp.
Bernués, A., R. Ruiz, D. Villalba, A. Olaizola and I. Casasús, 2011. Sustainability of pasture-based livestock farming systems in the European Mediterranean context: synergies and trade-offs. Livest. Sci. 139: 44-57.
Caballero, R., 2002. Policy schemes and targeted technologies in an extensive cereal-sheep farming system. Agr. Hum. Values 19: 63-74
De Rancourt, M., N. Fois, M.P. Lavin, E. Tchakerian and F. Vallerand, 2006. Mediterranean sheep and goats production: an uncertain future. Small Ruminant Res. 62: 167-179.
EEA, 2004. High nature value farmland: characteristics, trends and policy challenges. European Environmental Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark, 27 pp.
Henle, K., D. Alard, J. Clitherow, P. Cobb, L. Firbank, T. Kull, D. McCracken, R.F.A. Moritz, J. Niemelä, M. Rebane, D. Wascher, A. Watt and J. Young, 2008. Identifying and managing the conflicts between agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Europe - A review. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 124: 60-71.
López-Ridaura, S., O.R. Masera and M. Astier, 2002. Evaluating the sustainability of complex socio-environmental systems. the MESMIS framework. Ecol. Indic. 2: 135-148.
Masera, O.R., M. Astier and S. López-Ridaura, 2000. Sustentabilidad y manejo de recursos naturales: el marco de la evaluación MESMIS. Mundi-Prensa, México, 109 pp.
Pérez, J.P., J.M. Gil and I. Sierra, 2007. Technical efficiency of meat sheep production systems in Spain. Small Ruminant Res. 69: 237-241.
Piorr, H.P., 2003. Environmental policy, agri-environmental indicators and landscape indicators. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 98: 17-33.
Riedel, J.L., I. Casasús and A. Bernués, 2007. Sheep farming intensification and utilization of natural resources in a Mediterranean pastoral agro-ecosystem. Livest. Sci. 111: 153-163.
Speelman, E.N., S. López-Ridaura, N.A. Colomer, M. Astier and O.R. Masera, 2007. Ten years of sustainability evaluation using the MESMIS framework: lessons learned from its application in 28 Latin American case studies. Int. J. Sust. Dev. World 14: 345-361.
Steinfeld, H., P. Gerber, T. Wassenaar, V. Castel, M. Rosales and C. de Haan, 2006. Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, 390 pp.
Van Cauwenbergh, N., K. Biala, C. Bielders, V. Brouckaert, L. Franchois, V.G. Cidad, M. Hermy, E. Mathijs, B. Muys, J. Reijnders, X. Sauvenier, J. Valckx, M. Vanclooster, B. Van der Veken, E. Wauters and A. Peeters, 2007. SAFE - a hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems. Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 120: 229-242.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Wageningen Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Díez-Unquera, B. et al. (2012). Indicators of sustainability in pasture-based livestock systems2 . In: Casasús, I., Rogošiç, J., Rosati, A., Štokoviç, I., Gabiña, D. (eds) Animal farming and environmental interactions in the Mediterranean region. EAAP – European Federation of Animal Sciences, vol 131. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-741-7_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-741-7_16
Publisher Name: Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen
Online ISBN: 978-90-8686-741-7
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
