Study of Preference Value of Range Plants and Animal Grazing Behavior in Key Ranges of 5 Bioclimatic Zones of Iran (Farsardekan)
2011
Khodahami, Ghasem
Plant selection by animals is a complex phenomenon and depends on types of animals, plants and weather conditions, etc. Range species in each season months have different values. Grazing behaviors also depend on different grazing places in their areas because in each area certain grazing behavior may occur. Without understanding the behaviors and characteristics of preference value of range species, planning and rangeland and livestock management is not possible. Therefore, in order to determine the value of range species preference three methods,direct observation, weight (percent utilization by species) and preference index species were employed in this study in the semi-steppe rangeland in Barme-khoshk of Fars, 125 km North West of Shiraz for five years from 2006 to 2010. GPS was used to determine the daily behaviors and activities of living animal and GIS software was employed for combining data and topographic slope and direction of livestock required Information in 4 months grazing season for 4 years were collected. The results showed that in the direct observation method there were significant differences between the preference value of for goat and for sheep season in months and years for grazing in terms of percentage of time spent for grazing. There were also significant differences between three methods in terms of preference value of species, months and years. no differences were observed between the behavior of animals in periods of grazing in different years.
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