Santillo Antonella, Della Malva Antonella, Albenzio Marzia
Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering (DAFNE), University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
Animals (Basel). 2025 May 30;15(11):1610. doi: 10.3390/ani15111610.
The interconnection between biodiversity loss, food system and climate change is a complex issue with profound implications for global sustainability. Small ruminant farming is a crucial part of addressing these challenges as it contributes to environmental, social, and economic resilience. In Italy, sheep and goat farming is most common in marginal areas with a prevalence of pastoral systems and low mechanization levels. In the Apulia region of Southern Italy, autochthonous small ruminant breeds are at high risk of extinction, due to changing agricultural practices and market pressures. Autochthonous breeds represent valuable genetic resources, adapted to the local environment and capable of producing high-quality products. Apulia boasts an ancient dairy tradition, producing a variety of cheeses from small ruminants, such as Canestrato Pugliese, a Protected Designation of Origin, and four cheeses (Cacioricotta, Pecorino Foggiano, Scamorza di Pecora, and Caprino) recognized as Traditional Agri-Food Products by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests. These products represent an essential element for biodiversity conservation, encompassing ecosystems, autochthonous breeds, microbial diversity, traditional farming practices, and production systems. This review surveys the main small ruminant native breeds of Apulia region, highlighting their historical significance, distinctive traits, and traditional productions, to help shape strategies for animal biodiversity conservation.
生物多样性丧失、粮食系统与气候变化之间的相互联系是一个复杂的问题，对全球可持续发展具有深远影响。小型反刍动物养殖是应对这些挑战的关键部分，因为它有助于增强环境、社会和经济的复原力。在意大利，绵羊和山羊养殖在牧业系统占主导且机械化水平较低的边缘地区最为常见。在意大利南部的普利亚地区，由于农业实践的变化和市场压力，当地的小型反刍动物品种面临着很高的灭绝风险。当地品种是宝贵的遗传资源，适应当地环境，能够生产高质量的产品。普利亚拥有悠久的乳制品传统，用小型反刍动物生产各种奶酪，如受原产地保护的普利亚羊奶干酪，以及四种被意大利农业、粮食主权和森林部认定为传统农业食品的奶酪（卡乔里科塔奶酪、福贾诺羊奶酪、绵羊斯卡莫扎奶酪和山羊奶酪）。这些产品是生物多样性保护的重要元素，涵盖生态系统、当地品种、微生物多样性、传统养殖实践和生产系统。本综述调查了普利亚地区主要的小型反刍动物本地品种，强调了它们的历史意义、独特特征和传统产品，以帮助制定动物生物多样性保护策略。
