Understanding landscape use patterns of livestock as a consequence of foraging behavior
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Authors: K. L. Launchbaugh, and L. D. Howery
Date: 2005
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 59
Number: 2
Pages: 99-108
Summary of Methods: This scientific synthesis paper is a summary of 96 studies examining livestock foraging behavior patterns in relation to genetic, environmental factors and interactions that provide livestock with positive or negative foraging feedback.
Article Summary / Main Points: Animals learn positive foraging behavior by relating postingestive consequences and habitat cues to modify behaviors in the future. Desirable behavior exhibited by a few individual animals can be transmitted within a larger group or population of animals. Habitat selection is an inherently multivariate process where a set of habitat cues is related to a set of consequences that modifies the habitat’s value. Sudden and intense stimuli from new environments will often be less aversive to grazing animals when experienced with peers than when experienced alone (social buffering). Age and experience can affect landscape use patterns-mature, experienced cattle tend to have more even distribution of rangeland as they are able to locate habitat with superior thermal and foraging resources better than younger cattle. Spatial memory and visual cues help animals in rangeland environments make short-term (minutes, hours, days) and long-term (weeks, months, years) decisions about where to graze. Habitat selection is an inherently multivariate process where a set of habitat cues is related to a set of consequences that modifies the habitat’s value. Sudden and intense stimuli from new environments will often be less aversive to grazing animals when experienced with peers than when experienced alone (social buffering). Age and experience can affect landscape use patterns-mature, experienced cattle lead to more even distribution of rangeland as they are able to locate habitat with superior thermal and foraging resources better than younger cattle. Spatial memory and visual cues help animals in rangeland environments make short-term (minutes, hours, days) and long-term (weeks, months, years) decisions about where to graze.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Animal behavior Herbivory Social behavior
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: animal behavior, foraging preferences, grazing patterns, grazing uniformity, habitat preferences, habitat selection, livestock distribution, livestock management, social behavior, spatial memory, visual cues
Annotation: This is an excellent resource for understanding the fundamentals of livestock foraging behavior with relationship to habitat preferences, social behavior, foraging stimuli, spatial memory and visual cues. Recommendations are provided for improving and modifying both livestock habitat and animal behavior to more effectively utilize forage resources and meet management objectives and goals. This paper does not discuss stocking rates and related environmental consequences.
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