Forthe past few years in Poland, the number of small livestock farms hasbeen diminishing, whereas the number of large-scale livestock farms andthe livestock size has been on the rise. From a holistic point of view,this phenomenon significantly affects and transforms the agrarianstructure and the agroecosystems, and contributes to the resultingtransformation or loss of semi-natural habitats and biocenoses whichhave been shaped in the rural areas by extensive and small-scaleagricultural production.
Habitatsand agrocenoses are transformed by reconstruction and adaptations oflivestock buildings, absence of gardens and orchards, contamination ofin-field water courses and water reservoirs, and elimination of grazing.As a result, the living conditions of numerous species of animals andplants have deteriorated, including those of rare and protected speciesof field plants, pollinating insects, European weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), common frog (Rana temporaria), European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), common house martin (Delichon urbicum), grey partridge (Perdix perdix), Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens), European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), bats (Chiroptera), beech marten (Martes foina), or least weasel (Mustela nivalis).Excessive doses of slurry directly contribute to the deterioration ofliving conditions and modification of species composition in the soilfauna (loss of biodiversity). Accumulation of copper, zinc and potassiumfrom slurry overuse negatively affects soil organisms and fungi.
Transformationsof the agrarian structure of rural areas by intensification andspecialisation of livestock production pose a serious threat to thebiodiversity of genetic material in farm animals (diversification ofanimal species). Species of animals produced for clearly cut purposesare now favoured (dairy/meet/eggs, etc.) because of high-yield,consistent production and simplified rearing technology (uniform feedingsystem, uniformity of zoohygienic procedures and veterinary care,etc.). This approach is equivalent to monoculture practices in cropproduction and carries similar risks from the point of view ofbiocenotic diversity protection. The scale of the problem can beillustrated by the high risk of extinction of as many as 16% (881)species of farm mammals and 30% (610) species of farm birds (FAO, 2007).The highest number of extinct species are among hens, swine and cattle,Europe is the region with the highest percentage of extinct farm animalspecies; in Poland, nearly all general-use populations of cattle,sheep, swine and horse species have been reduced (some native specieshave already extinct: including the Żuławy cattle, Kopczyk Podlaski horse, Karnówka sheep, or Wielka Biała Pomorska swine).