Identification and creation of optimum habitat conditions for livestock
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Authors: D. W. Bailey
Date: 2005
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 58
Number: 2
Pages: 109-118
Summary of Methods: This is a synthesis of 67 studies illustrating the concept of optimum habitat to livestock and their needs highlighting specifically the effect of habitat attributes on livestock use, the effect if management on the habitat attributes and how it modifies livestock use, and the effect of management on livestock use and how it can modify habitat attributes.
Article Summary / Main Points: Uneven livestock distribution accounts for many ecological and economic concerns rather than inappropriate stocking rates. Selection of an area as suitable habitat or not is determined by the extent animals (both livestock and wildlife) prefer or avoid it. Identification or creation of optimal habitat based on animal density or maximum energy intake rate is not sufficient for proper grazing livestock management. Topographic features and availability of water affect the energy livestock must spend to travel to a feeding site; animals generally avoid areas far from water, steep slopes and higher elevations. Thermal regulation is an important factor in animal behavior and performance as livestock seek shade and cooler areas in hot weather and protected areas in cold and windy weather. Selecting individual animals adapted to relative topographic and climatic conditions can improve grazing performance, grazing uniformity and grazing land sustainability.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Habitat
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: foraging, grazing patterns, grazing uniformity, habitat, livestock behavioral mechanisms, livestock management, spatial distribution, stocking rates
Annotation: This is an interesting and complex analysis of livestock behavior in relation to habitat conditions and management. Through exploring and effectively tying numerous individual studies together, this paper challenges past and present livestock management strategies, scientific conceptual models and knowledge gaps in sustainable livestock grazing management. However, this work is predominately landscape-scale and neglects basic environmental variables that could affect individual site results.
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