Topic outline

This e-learning course introduces the concept of ecosystem services provided by livestock agroecosystems and explores a range of assessment methods. Starting from foundational principles, it guides learners through biophysical, sociocultural, economic and modelling approaches, equipping them with the knowledge to effectively evaluate and promote ecosystem services in diverse agricultural contexts.

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This course is aimed at government officers, programme officers, technical specialists, academics, researchers, students and other professionals involved in the design, implementation or evaluation of ecosystem services within the livestock sector.

  • Ecosystem services and disservices in livestock agroecosystems.
  • The assessment of biophysical, sociocultural, economic and modelling methods for ecosystem service valuation.
  • Trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services.
  • Sustainable farming practices and enabling environments that enhance the provision of multiple ecosystem services and support more resilient livestock systems.

The course consists of four lessons of approximately 30 minutes duration each:

  • Lesson 1 – Introduction to ecosystem services and framework for valuation
  • Lesson 2 – Biophysical and sociocultural valuation methods
  • Lesson 3 – Economic and modelling valuation methods
  • Lesson 4 – Trade-offs, synergies and cross-method approaches

This course runs on the latest versions of the major browsers, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.

The course opens in a separate popup window. If this does not happen, a popup blocker in the browser is probably preventing it from opening and you will need to disable popup blockers for this site. Please read the following instructions on how to do this.

Digital certification

This course offers certification. You will get your digital badge upon passing a final exam after completing the course and achieving a grade of at least 75%. Please click on the button below to complete the exam, or refer to our Certification section to learn more.

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  • Partners

    This course has been developed by the Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

    The FAO LEAP Partnership extends its sincere gratitude to all organizations that actively contribute to its work. The organizations are listed below according to their FAO LEAP stakeholder cluster and in alphabetical order within each cluster:

    Governments
    Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Uruguay

    Private sector
    International Dairy Federation (IDF), International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), International Meat Secretariat (IMS), International Poultry Council (IPC), World Egg Organisation (WEO), World Renderers Organisation (WRO)

    Non-governmental organizations and civil society
    Compassion in World Farming (CiWF), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples (WAMIP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF)