A Systematic Review of Climate Change Risks to Communal Livestock Production and Response Strategies in South Africa

Abstract

Livestock offers substantial opportunities for food security and sustainable development with appropriate adaptation to climate change. Nowadays, climate change is among the critical problems facing less privileged rural people directly depending on livestock to survive. This paper aimed to analyse the existing literature and identify knowledge gaps about climate change impacts and response strategies in rural livestock production of South Africa. The study utilized a systematic literature review with key search terms such as “climate change” (weather, variability), “livestock” (monogastric*ruminants), “impact” (heat stress; feeds; pasture; production; reproduction; health; vector-diseases), and “adaptation” (strategies; vulnerability; risks; resilience). The search was run through scientific databases such as Google scholar, Science direct, Cab direct, Sabinet and Sematic scholar, targeting titles, abstracts and keywords. From the 62 suitable peer-reviewed publications examined in the current paper, five limitations were discovered, namely: (1) limited contextual studies of South Africa’s rural livestock farming communities; (2) a silo approach to investigations on impacts and adaptation in rural livestock production; (3) drawbacks on mixed crop-livestock systems as an effective response to climate change; (4) limited studies on monogastric livestock in rural communities; and (5) geographic underrepresentation of research progress in different provinces within the country. The study recommended improving geographic coverage of literature and inclusion of non-ruminants exposed to different climatic shocks. It is further advised that to gain effective responses to climate change impacts, mitigation strategies should be context-specific and holistic to improve livestock production in rural farming communities.

Communally established cattle feedlots as a sustainable livelihood option for climate change resilience and food security in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…Furthermore, the susceptibility of livestock, integral to the livelihoods of millions in sub-Saharan countries, is extensively documented in the literature (Zhou et al, 2022;Slayi et al, 2023a). Rising temperatures induce heat stress in animals, resulting in reduced productivity and increased mortality rates, a critical concern for smallholder farmers' livelihoods and the global food supply chains they contribute to (Hristov et al, 2017;Lottering et al, 2020a;Archer et al, 2021).…”

“…Reduced water availability compromises food production by impeding crop irrigation and limiting drinking water access. Moreover, alterations in the geographic 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1325233 Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 04 frontiersin.org distribution of pests and diseases due to climate change are identified as significant factors affecting crop and livestock health (Musemwa et al, 2012;Zhou et al, 2022). Despite the wealth of information presented, the existing literature remains silent on critical aspects.…”

“…These strategies encompass alterations in planting dates, crop diversification, and the adoption of droughtresistant crop varieties (Boomiraj et al, 2010;Henry et al, 2018;Galyean and Hales, 2023). Similarly, livestock farmers may adjust their management practices to mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress and changing disease risks (Zhou et al, 2022;Slayi et al, 2023a). However, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive critique of the effectiveness of these adaptive strategies and their widespread implementation.…”

“…Climate change poses a critical threat to global agriculture and food security, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and the millions who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods (Archer et al, 2021;Zhou et al, 2022). Sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture is integral to the economy and social well-being, is particularly vulnerable to these disruptive impacts (Oduniyi et al, 2020;Slayi et al, 2023c).…”

Avoidance-related behavioral and blood-based physiological responses of Nguni and Boran cattle subjected to routine handling activities post relocation

“…This is problematic because a significant proportion of beef cattle breeds in South Africa and other developing countries are indigenous and extensively managed with limited human contact. Nguni and Boran cattle are two important breeds that are widely used in sub-Saharan Africa for meat and dairy production (17,18). However, little is known about the avoidance behavior and blood-based responses of these cattle to handling activities post-relocation.…”