Abstract Projected climate change will involve an additional threat for the sustainability of small ruminant production systems in Europe. Aiming to understand its implications, we conducted a literature review on climate change interactions with sheep and goat systems. The review first identifies the main potential impacts on productivity at the animal level (heat stress effects) and at the forage level (quantity and quality). Results from analysed studies suggest that heat stress thresholds for small ruminants could be higher than previously indicated, although they still will be affected during projected heatwaves. At the forage level, the potential positive effect of CO2 fertilization will probably be counteracted in most of the cases due to extreme weather events and other limitations. Based on that findings, the review analyses the most suitable adaptation strategies on animal heat stress and pasture production. Particular attention is paid to integrated approaches, providing co-benefits at different levels. Finally, structural and practical challenges affecting small ruminants’ sustainability in a climate change context are discussed, together with potential synergies and trade-offs among different policies and/or strategies. According to the information reviewed, small ruminant systems could be particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, as they are often produced in harsh areas under already severe circumstances. At the same time, they have particular features that could involve advantages against other livestock systems to cope with –and fight against- future climatic conditions. Consequently, they should play a important role for the climate change adaptation and mitigation options within the livestock sector.

中文翻译：

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欧洲气候紧急情况下的小型反刍动物生产系统指南

摘要 预计的气候变化将对欧洲小型反刍动物生产系统的可持续性构成额外威胁。为了了解其影响，我们对气候变化与绵羊和山羊系统的相互作用进行了文献综述。审查首先确定了对动物水平（热应激效应）和草料水平（数量和质量）生产力的主要潜在影响。分析研究的结果表明，小型反刍动物的热应激阈值可能比之前指出的要高，尽管它们在预计的热浪期间仍会受到影响。在草料层面，由于极端天气事件和其他限制，在大多数情况下，二氧化碳施肥的潜在积极影响可能会被抵消。基于这些发现，该评论分析了最适合动物热应激和牧场生产的适应策略。特别注意综合方法，在不同层面提供协同效益。最后，讨论了在气候变化背景下影响小反刍动物可持续性的结构性和实际挑战，以及不同政策和/或战略之间的潜在协同作用和权衡。根据审查的信息，小型反刍动物系统可能特别容易受到环境变化的影响，因为它们通常在已经很恶劣的环境下在恶劣的地区生产。同时，它们具有特殊的特征，可以与其他畜牧系统相比具有优势，以应对和对抗未来的气候条件。最后，