Analysis of the Sustainability of Livestock Farms in the Area of the Southwest of Bihor County to Climate Change

Abstract

The concepts of sustainability and vulnerability are complementary and closely linked; mitigating the vulnerability of the human environment/climate change can increase its resilience or sustainability. Climate change can increase existing vulnerabilities and deepen socioeconomic imbalances. Measures to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change are needed in the livestock sector, as they can help reduce the damage caused by natural disasters and other effects of climate change. The future effects of climate change are a significant challenge for livestock managers, users of livestock products and other players, as they may face a number of problems, such as the qualitative and quantitative decline in cereals (feedstock), depletion of conventional sources of energy that provide the electricity and heat needed for animal husbandry, damage to animal shelters, changes in flood frequency and the effects of flooding on the process of spreading manure on land and unforeseen operating and maintenance costs. The adaptation of the intensive animal husbandry process to climate change is a complex process considering the variability of effects, physical vulnerability, degree of socioeconomic development of the entire analyzed area, natural adaptability, health services and disaster surveillance mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to help local authorities in the process of preparing for this transition in a way that takes into account not only socioeconomic factors but also the development constraints imposed by climate change. The studied area, Ciumeghiu–Avram Iancu, located in the southern part of Bihor County, Romania, has been designated as a disadvantaged area of socioeconomic development so that economic agents can apply for the financing of rural development projects with co-financing from European funds (up to 90%). The study presents an analysis of economic development (zootechnical activities) in the southern part of Bihor County, Romania in relation to the climatic vulnerability of the area. Knowing the changes induced in an area by climate change is still a challenge for any local community, and for a socioeconomically vulnerable area, such as the study area, it is important to have at hand studies that can indicate the directions and constraints of development in dictated by these changes. Through this study, we aimed to identify a correlation between the changes induced by climate change and the development capacity of livestock farms, as many economic agents have developed or are developing technical projects for the construction of animal farms in this area. This study is based on the requirements of European reference documents, standards and guidelines. Based on the data available at this time, the applied risk analysis methodology identified a moderate risk associated with increasing extreme temperatures, changes in average precipitation, increasing average temperature, availability of water/drought resources, floods, desertification and risks associated with soil erosion, and the risk of vegetation fires. The correlation of all these factors led us to the conclusion that the area allows for the strictly controlled development of new livestock farms based on plans for the development of territorial units in the area. These units must include desertified areas and define the areas for planting vegetal curtains that will both reduce the phenomenon of erosion and block the circulation of air masses with odor released from the activity of animal husbandry and manure management. The results of the analysis show that it is necessary to take into account the diverse nature of environmental evolution/climate change in different areas of economic development specific to a development area.