The Role of Sheep and Goats in Sustainable Agroecosystems: Impacts on Soil Health, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience
TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, cilt.14, sa.6, ss.1692-1700, 2026 (TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Dergi Adı: TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), CAB Abstracts, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1692-1700
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Sheep and goats play a multifunctional role in agroecosystems, extending beyond their traditional contribution to food production. This study aimed to synthesize the environmental impacts of small ruminant grazing on soil functioning, biodiversity, and climate-related processes using a metaanalytical framework. A systematic literature search was conducted across major scientific databases, and studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were evaluated using a random-effects model. Effect sizes were expressed as log response ratios (lnRR) to compare grazed and non-grazed or differently managed systems. The results indicated that grazing by sheep and goats had a positive effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) (mean lnRR = 0.120), suggesting enhanced carbon sequestration potential under appropriate management conditions. Biodiversity responses were even stronger (mean lnRR = 0.215), reflecting increased plant species richness and habitat heterogeneity. In contrast, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions exhibited a negative effect size (lnRR = −0.143), indicating potential reductions in emission intensity under well-managed grazing systems. Heterogeneity among studies was moderate to high (I² = 64%), highlighting the importance of context-dependent factors such as grazing intensity, ecosystem type, and species composition. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that moderate grazing intensity and mixed grazing systems produced the most favourable environmental outcomes. Overall, the findings suggest that small ruminants can function as ecological regulators within agroecosystems, with their environmental impact being strongly dependent on management practices. This study provides quantitative evidence supporting the integration of sheep and goat systems into sustainable land-use strategies and climate-resilient agricultural frameworks.