Introduction to eco-geography of domestic livestock; the large eco-regions of the world and the typical livestock species and breeds; the evolution of livestock systems from the ecologists perpective; global transfer of feeds and animal products between the large ecological and economic regions and the environmental transfer costs; survival in variable environments - strategies of animals to overcome environmental constraints; the concept of carrying capacity and its application to livestock systems; nature conservancy and landscape maintenance with grazing livestock; environmental pollution through emmissions from livestock prodcution systems; use and importance of biotechnology for sustainable livestock systems; natural biodiversity and its importance for livestock production.

Students are familiar with the large eco-regions of the world, their natural potential and the livestock species and breeds indigenous to these regions; students are conversant with adaptive mechanisms used by livestock to overcome environmental constraints as well as with possible interactions between livestock or livestock systems and their environment.