The Study of Preference Values of Forage Species and Grazing Behavior of Tali Goat in Chabahar Rangelands of Iran

Document Type: Research and Full Length Article

Authors

1 Senior Research Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran

2 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran

3 Senior Research Expert, Balouchestan Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iranshahr

4 Young Researchers Club, Ardestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardestan

5 Department of English, Arak Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak

Abstract

In recent years, studying the dietary preferences and livestock grazing behavior
has attracted lots of attention due to manage and improve the efficiency of rangelands. So,
in this study the foraging behavior and diet selection of Tali goat was investigated in the
Chabahar Rangeland during 2008-2010. Data were collected and analyzed for speeds of
livestock, covered distance, time of grazing, resting, and walking for months of grazing
(February to May) as replications over 3 years. To determine the preference value, time
recorder method was used. Time of grazing of specific plant species by livestock was
monthly recorded and analyzed, across February to April. Results showed that Launaea
mucronata species of annual broad-leaved had the highest preference value while two
species of Sporobolus arabicus and Lotononis platycarpos had the lowest ones. All the
measured parameters of grazing behavior had no significant differences during the studied
years. The resting time rates of various months had significant differences. Accordingly,
the highest resting time rate could be attributed to May whereas this rate was likely to be
reduced during February, March and April. The result of the study will therefore be useful
in planning a grazing strategy and determination of carrying capacity for livestock grazing
in the studied rangelands. Also the findings help us in rehabilitate Chabahar rangelands,
with palatably species for the Tali goats.

Keywords

Journal of Rangeland Science

Volume 3, Issue 4
Autumn 2013
Pages 312-320

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