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Sheep in Species-Rich Temperate Grassland: Combining Behavioral Observations with Vegetation Characterization
Stephen J G Hall1, Robert G H Bunce1, David R Arney1
1Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|August 23, 2020
Summary
This study used GoPro cameras to observe sheep foraging behavior in species-rich Estonian grasslands. It linked grazing patterns to specific plant species, revealing individual variations and enabling numerical analysis of livestock responses to vegetation.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Rangeland Management
Background:
- Foraging behavior varies significantly between simple and species-rich grassland environments.
- Understanding livestock grazing patterns is crucial for managing diverse ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sheep foraging behavior in species-rich grasslands.
- To correlate grazing activity with specific plant species composition.
- To develop methodologies for analyzing livestock-vegetation interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized continually-recording GoPro cameras to document sheep foraging behavior.
- Collected 706 animal-minutes of observational data over three days.
- Sampled 536 still images, compiling plant species lists for each grazed area.
- Assigned ecophysiological scores to plant species based on environmental gradients.
Main Results:
- Documented fine structure of foraging behavior in parallel with precise vegetation data.
- Observed considerable individual variation in foraging patterns among sheep.
- Quantified interspersion patterns of grazing and non-grazing behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The combined approach of behavior recording and vegetation classification enables numerical analysis.
- This methodology can reveal livestock responses to specific vegetation conditions in complex grasslands.
- Pilot study demonstrates a novel approach for studying grazing ecology.
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