Influence of Feeding Strategy on Methane Emission Intensity in Yak under Alpine Conditions

Abstract

Methane emissions from ruminant livestock represent a significant contributor to greenhouse gas outputs, particularly in fragile alpine ecosystems where yaks are a primary source of livelihood. This study investigates the influence of different feeding strategies on methane emission intensity in yaks under alpine conditions to identify sustainable approaches for reducing environmental impact while maintaining productivity. The proposed methodology involves controlled feeding trials with varying diet compositions, including forage-based diets, concentrate supplementation, and nutrient-balanced rations adapted to alpine grazing systems. Key parameters such as methane emission rates, dry matter intake, feed digestibility, growth performance, and rumen fermentation characteristics are measured using standard respiration and gas analysis techniques. Environmental factors, including altitude, temperature, and pasture quality, are also monitored. The collected data are preprocessed through cleaning, normalization, and statistical validation to ensure consistency and reliability. Advanced analytical and machine learning models, including regression analysis, Random Forest, and Artificial Neural Networks, are employed to evaluate the relationship between feeding strategies and methane emission intensity. Experimental results indicate that balanced diets with optimized forage-to-concentrate ratios significantly reduce methane emissions per unit of productivity by enhancing rumen fermentation efficiency and shifting volatile fatty acid profiles toward propionate production. In contrast, low-quality forage diets increase methane intensity due to inefficient digestion. The study identifies feeding strategies that minimize emissions while maintaining animal performance. The findings highlight the importance of adaptive nutritional management in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in alpine livestock systems. The study concludes that integrating optimized feeding strategies with data-driven analysis provides a sustainable and effective solution for reducing methane emissions, improving feed efficiency, and supporting environmentally responsible yak farming.