IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SHEEP GENETIC DIVERSITY: A REVIEW

Abstract

Native sheep breed act as reservoirs of local environment adapted genes. They are vital for food security as they are adapted to the extreme production environments. Sheep farming is a potential profitable agricultural enterprise in lands unsuitable for other agricultural activities. However, climate change effects pose their existential challenge for it leads to genetic diversity within species. Available literature of implications of climate change effects on the genetic diversity of native sheep breeds is limited. In this study, therefore, we bridge this gap by discussing sheep selection for adaptation traits and its implication on genetic diversity. This review discusses the climate change trends and projections, the history and importance of sheep, sheep farming systems, importance of genetic diversity in sheep and adaptation mechanisms highlighting their selection signatures. Further, we also discuss the use of genomic tools for selection for adaptation. Finally, this paper highlights an effective way of maintaining genetic diversity and breeding for adaptation. The understanding of impacts of climate change on genetic diversity of native sheep breeds would help in developing directional breeding program encompassing adaptation traits, as well as trigger conservation efforts for already endangered sheep breeds.

Keywords

• adaptation
• climate change
• genetic diversity
• sheep