Final answer:
CAFO stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, which is characterized by raising a large number of livestock in confined spaces. The major issues associated with CAFOs include environmental pollution, contribution to antibiotic resistance, and global warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
CAFOs contribute significantly to environmental issues, such as the contamination of water and air with biological waste. They also often involve the use of antimicrobial drugs to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock, which can lead to antibiotic resistance. These operations are potential sources of pollution due to untreated animal waste, which can enter nearby water bodies and disrupt nutrient cycles.
Furthermore, the rise of CAFOs intensifies concerns over global warming, as the conversion of forests into pastures increases greenhouse gas emissions attributed to livestock. What's more, they affect structural complexity and associated biodiversity in agroecosystems by reducing naturally occurring ecosystem services, often resulting in long-term impacts on global climate and ecosystems.