Vegan concerns for environment involve the ecological impact of livestock industry in terms of resource consumption (grains, land, water), pollution, greenhouse gases emissions and loss of biodiversity (see [this answer][1]). 

However from personal conversations, were meat-eaters argue small scale farming is more sustainable, I got the doubt: **is there any difference between small scale and industrial farming?** Of course I'm interested in the evaluation of ecological impact *per unit* or *per ton* of "product", since total impact is obviously different. Are there studies or publications assessing that **small scale farming is more sustainable than industrial production? Or are the two forms equally destructive for the environment?**


  [1]: http://vegetarianism.stackexchange.com/a/254/115