The concentration of animals and the related concentration of nutrients are the core factors of water, soil and air pollution related to livestock production. Spatial analyses based on nutrient balance calculations and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), allow to screen whole continents and predict areas where pollution of land and water is probable. Specifically, the “hotspot maps” display areas location where livestock is likely to be the main contributor to nutrient overload on crop land. Livestock distribution maps are also useful to give a clear overview on the spatial trends of global livestock densities for the main species : cattle, small ruminants, pigs and poultry.

This information tool is intended for policy makers, planners, researchers and teachers, and is presented in Microsoft Powerpoint format for easy access and display. Meta data is also available.

Please note: The following presentations are big (1.022Kb to 1.392Kb) may take some time to open for computers with slow internet connections.

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Global Livestock Densities and Nutrient Balances presentations

Global Livestock Densities (PowerPoint, 1Mb)
It contains the maps of Small Ruminants Densities, Poultry Densities, Pig Densities and Cattle Densities.
[ more...]

Nutrient Balances in Asia (PowerPoint, 1,4Mb)
Livestock production is developing very fast in most parts of Asia, driven by a booming demand. The increase is mainly supported by industrial systems, with series of environmental impacts, among which nutrient overloads is probably the most severe. [ more...]

Nutrient Balances in Europe (PowerPoint, 1,2Mb)
Nutrient loading in crop-livestock systems may occur in areas where the nutrients present in manure are not properly recycled or treated. The major effects of animal waste mismanagement include eutrophication of surface water (deteriorating water quality, algae growth, damage to fish etc.) due to input of organic substances and nutrients; leaching of nitrate and possibly pathogens into ground water; and accumulation of nutrients, drug residues and heavy metals in the soil. [ more...]

Supporting Documents:

• Livestock density and nutrient balances across ASIA
  P. GERBER, P. CHILONDA, G. FRANCESCHINI, H. MENZI - 4 pp (PDF file - 161Kb)
• Livestock density and nutrient balanSces across EUROPE
  P. GERBER, G. FRANCESCHINI, H. MENZI - 4 pp (PDF file - 660Kb)
• Brief Meta Data Related to Livestock Densities (species/source/year/accuracy level) - (Excel file - 30Kb)

Other maps

Estimated phosphate mass balance on agricultural land in selected South-East Asian countries
The nutrient mass balance is calculated on the basis of spatially modelled livestock densities, estimated excretion values and crop uptake. Phosphate mass balances are chosen as an indicator of the impacts of livestock production on nutrient fluxes. The map predicts the location of probable land and water pollution. [ more...]

Estimated livestock biomass in selected South-East Asian countries
Maps of estimated biomass of the following livestock species and groups: buffalo, cattle, pig, poultry, ruminants, small ruminants, monogastric, total. These maps are the result of a spatial redistribution of livestock numbers within administrative boundaries. Original data are obtained from national statistical yearbooks and supplemented by web-sites. Spatial models for cattle, buffalo and small ruminants were available at FAO. Specific models for monogastric species were developed that consider the industrial and backyard share, rural population, and suitability for industrial production. Biomass estimates are obtained by combining livestock numbers with average national production statistic. [ more...]

Estimated poultry densities in selected South-East Asian countries
This map is the result of a spatial redistribution of livestock numbers within administrative boundaries. Original data are obtained from national statistical yearbooks and supplemented by web-sites. The redistribution is based on spatial models that are specific for the monogastric species considered. They consider the industrial and backyard share, rural population, and land suitability for industrial production. [ more...]

Estimated pig densities in selected South-East Asian countries
This map is the result of a spatial redistribution of livestock numbers within administrative boundaries. Original data are obtained from national statistical yearbooks and supplemented by web-sites. The redistribution is based on spatial models that are specific for the monogastric species considered. They consider the industrial and backyard share, rural population, and land suitability for industrial production. [ more...]