---
title: "The GLEAM Ecosystem"
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---

The `gleam` R package is one component of the broader GLEAM ecosystem
developed by FAO. The **GLEAM ecosystem** offers a collection of integrated tools and services designed around the GLEAM model to evaluate the environmental impacts of livestock agrifood systems. By linking data, models, analytical tools, and capacity development, the ecosystem forms a unified platform that advances sustainable livestock system transformation through science and data-driven approaches. 

```{r, echo=FALSE, eval = TRUE, out.width="100%", fig.cap="The GLEAM model within the GLEAM ecosystem"}
knitr::include_graphics("images/overview_GLEAM_Ecosystem.png")
```

## <span style="color:#F5D281; font-weight:700;">GLEAM Model</span>

The GLEAM MODEL is the analytical heart of the ecosystem, designed around
scientific robustness, transparency, and policy relevance. It applies a
spatially explicit, life cycle-based framework to quantify environmental
impacts across livestock supply chains and to assess mitigation options and
scenarios.

- **gleam R package** (this resource) provides full access to the core model
equations and documentation. It supports custom workflows, batch processing,
and advanced analytics on environmental impacts of livestock agrifood systems.
It enables reproducible research, transparent documentation of assumptions,
and easy integration with other analytical tools. 

- **GLEAM-X Interactive Web Application** is a user-friendly interface to the
R package. It enables scenario building and comparison, and easily accessible
analysis through visualization and interpretation of results. The application
is designed for policymakers, analysts, and technical users to explore
results and inform decision-making.

## <span style="color:#A5BF44; font-weight:700;">GLEAM Data</span>

GLEAM DATA provides the data backbone of the GLEAM ecosystem, ensuring
quality, consistency, traceability, and transparency of inputs used by the
model.

- **GLEAM Collect (KoBo survey)**: a field- and survey-based data collection
  tool that enables country teams and projects to collect primary data on
  livestock systems to perform GLEAM analysis.
- **GLEAM Data Repository**: a centralized, curated data infrastructure that
  stores livestock population and production data, feed resources and
  rations, emission factors, technical coefficients, and country- and
  system-specific parameters. Data are constantly updated using modern data
  collection methods that leverage AI technologies.


## <span style="color:#81C2CE; font-weight:700;">GLEAM Lens</span>

GLEAM LENS provides user-friendly tools to explore GLEAM data and model
results across species, production systems, and regions, and to dive more
deeply into the underlying information. It streamlines communication for
technical and policy audiences.

- **[GHG emissions dashboard](https://foodandagricultureorganization.shinyapps.io/GLEAMV3_Public/)**:
  provides easy access to GLEAM results and offers tools to view and filter
  livestock system emissions at the highest level of analysis, by species,
  product, and production system.
- **[Water dashboard](https://foodandagricultureorganization.shinyapps.io/GLEAMV3_WATER_Public/)**:
  allows visualization and filtering of water use data from livestock systems,
  including water used by different feed crops and water used as drinking
  water.
- **[GLEAM Data Explorer](https://foodandagricultureorganization.shinyapps.io/GLEAM_Data_Explorer/)**:
  offers visual and technical access to datasets and parameters, promoting
  transparency and comparative analysis.

## <span style="color:#E59882; font-weight:700;">GLEAM Support</span>

GLEAM SUPPORT offers online and in-person resources for skill development and
user help across all GLEAM tools, including the model, the GLEAM-X R package,
the web application, dashboards, and data tools, for different audiences such
as farmers, policymakers, finance institutions, and other stakeholders.

- **GLEAM Training Package**: delivers structured theory and practical
  exercises on environmental impact assessment, project appraisal, design,
  and data collection using GLEAM methods.
- **GLEAM E-learning course**: provides a self-paced online program on
  livestock environmental impacts and GLEAM methodology, with practical
  guidance for interpreting and applying GLEAM results in policy and
  technical analysis.

Further information on the GLEAM ecosystem and updates of its components can be found on the [FAO GLEAM website](https://www.fao.org/gleam/en/).