Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

PART 1: THE NATURE OF LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY.

1. Biology of Domestication.

2. Origin and Differentiation of Breeds.

PART 2: THE UTILIZATION OF LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY.

3. Ecological Adaptations of Breeds.

4. Crossbreeding and Coadaptation.

5. Livestock Biodiversity and Sustainable Development.

PART 3: THE ASSESSMENT OF LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY.

6. Global Status of Livestock Biodiversity.

7. Characterization of Livestock Biodiversity.

PART 4: THE CONSERVATION OF LIVESTOCK BIODIVERSITY.

8. Management, Organization and Policy.

9. Conserving Specific Breeds.

PART 5: CONCLUSIONS.

Appendix.

References.

Subject Index.

Country & Breed Index.

This book offers a detailed and comprehensive overview of livestock biodiversity. It explores the history behind it, shows how livestock biodiversity can be utilized as animal genetic resources through breed development and by crossbreeding, examines the state of world livestock biodiversity today, and emphasizes the importance of conserving and developing the biodiversity of livestock.

Special consideration is given to:

• How livestock biodiversity arose and is maintained in relation to human society

• How it can be used in sustainable agricultural development

• How it can be conserved for the benefit of present and future generations

• Why conservation biologists, as well as agriculturists, should be involved in its protection