Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions
Abstract This opinion piece clarifies the impact of climate change on animal production in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and proposes a sustainable solution. Anthropogenic climate change has resulted in higher ambient temperatures, rainfall, humidity, storms and desertification. These...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04558-6 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849343295245778944 |
|---|---|
| author | Laura Tardieu Marc A. Driscoll Kegan R. Jones |
| author_facet | Laura Tardieu Marc A. Driscoll Kegan R. Jones |
| author_sort | Laura Tardieu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This opinion piece clarifies the impact of climate change on animal production in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and proposes a sustainable solution. Anthropogenic climate change has resulted in higher ambient temperatures, rainfall, humidity, storms and desertification. These events have direct and indirect effects on conventional animal performance and this piece will highlight the impact of increased temperatures on their welfare, health and production in the LAC. Alternative species such as neo-tropical wildlife animals have been proposed as climate resilient animals for use in the LAC, as they are well adapted to the climate and environment in the tropics. Some of these animals include capybara, lappe, agouti, caiman, cocrico and collared peccary. Neo-tropical animal production has the potential to produce nutritious meat, quality leather, reduce pollution and serve as a form of sustainable production. These animals can be inserted into a sustainable production system as their feed resources can be supplied through the use of local feedstuff, they also require less water and energy for maintenance, as they are well adapted to the high temperature and humidity in comparison to domesticated animals such as cattle, pigs and chickens. Finally, the key challenges including the legal use of the animals throughout the year, lack of technical experience and limited knowledge on the biology of these animals are discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-197384f4b62747fa8e83faad3d6067cc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-197384f4b62747fa8e83faad3d6067cc2025-08-20T03:43:02ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-03-0121111110.1186/s12917-025-04558-6Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regionsLaura Tardieu0Marc A. Driscoll1Kegan R. Jones2Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West IndiesDepartment of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West IndiesDepartment of Basic Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West IndiesAbstract This opinion piece clarifies the impact of climate change on animal production in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and proposes a sustainable solution. Anthropogenic climate change has resulted in higher ambient temperatures, rainfall, humidity, storms and desertification. These events have direct and indirect effects on conventional animal performance and this piece will highlight the impact of increased temperatures on their welfare, health and production in the LAC. Alternative species such as neo-tropical wildlife animals have been proposed as climate resilient animals for use in the LAC, as they are well adapted to the climate and environment in the tropics. Some of these animals include capybara, lappe, agouti, caiman, cocrico and collared peccary. Neo-tropical animal production has the potential to produce nutritious meat, quality leather, reduce pollution and serve as a form of sustainable production. These animals can be inserted into a sustainable production system as their feed resources can be supplied through the use of local feedstuff, they also require less water and energy for maintenance, as they are well adapted to the high temperature and humidity in comparison to domesticated animals such as cattle, pigs and chickens. Finally, the key challenges including the legal use of the animals throughout the year, lack of technical experience and limited knowledge on the biology of these animals are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04558-6Animal productionClimate changeNeo-tropical speciesWildlife |
| spellingShingle | Laura Tardieu Marc A. Driscoll Kegan R. Jones Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions BMC Veterinary Research Animal production Climate change Neo-tropical species Wildlife |
| title | Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions |
| title_full | Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions |
| title_fullStr | Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions |
| title_short | Neo-tropical species production: a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo-tropical regions |
| title_sort | neo tropical species production a sustainable strategy for climate change adaptation in neo tropical regions |
| topic | Animal production Climate change Neo-tropical species Wildlife |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04558-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lauratardieu neotropicalspeciesproductionasustainablestrategyforclimatechangeadaptationinneotropicalregions AT marcadriscoll neotropicalspeciesproductionasustainablestrategyforclimatechangeadaptationinneotropicalregions AT keganrjones neotropicalspeciesproductionasustainablestrategyforclimatechangeadaptationinneotropicalregions |