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In the context of both severe selection in farm animals and potential effects of climate change, it is crucial to implement a sustainable management of the breeding practice, supported by a judicious use of geographic information technologies. Based on this observation, this thesis advocates the use of biogeoinformatics (the combined use of biology, geographic information and informatics) to cope with the challenges encountered by the livestock sector. Indeed, although biogeoinformatics can provide key insights for FAnGR (Farm Animal Genetic Resources) management, the variety and complexity of tasks involved hinders a wider usage of this type of analyses. The thesis shows how novel dedicated tools are likely to facilitate the adoption of biogeoinformatics by animals scientists and by stakeholders in the livestock sector, while investigating three main challenges related to FAnGR management, namely i) erosion of genetic diversity, ii) effects of climate change on the breeding activity, and iii) pressure on typical cultural breeding practices such as high alpine grazing. On this basis, the thesis is organised around three axes:
Luca Bragazza, Constant Signarbieux, Richard David Bardgett, Thomas William Nicholas Walker