Comparison of the diets of sheep and cattle grazing a semi-arid Chenopod shrubland.

1980 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Graetz ◽  
AD Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Plant Group ◽  
Exact Relationship ◽  
Semi Arid

Samples of the diets of oesophageally fistulated sheep and cattle grazing a semi-arid chenopod shrubland dominated by bladder saltbush (Atrip!ex ~'esicaria Hew. ex Benth.) were collected over a four year period. Seasonal condiiions varied from very wet to near drought. The diets of the two herbivores were different on all sampling occasions. However, it can be generalized that overall, sheep had a greater grass component in their diets and that cattle in compensation ate more saltbush than did sheep. Both sheep and cattle exhibited considerable diet selectivity and flexibility. Exact relationship between the measure of forage on offer and the proportions of any plant group in the diet could not be determined from the data collected in this experiment. However, hirearchies of preference were established. The differences in digestibility and nitrogen content of the diets between the two herbivores were appreciable with sheep mostly selecting a diet of higher digestibility and nitrogen content. The implications of these data for animal production and rangeland management are discussed.

Changes in ant species composition and community organisation along grazing gradients in semi-arid rangelands of the Northern Territory.

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Community Organisation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid

The impact of cattle grazing on ant diversity, species composition and community organisation was investigated in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory, using distance from water as a surrogate of grazing intensity. Two gradients were sampled, one on red earth at Kidman Springs (5 plots), the other on black cracking clay at Mount Sanford (6 plots). Sites were sampled in April (both sites) and October (Kidman Springs only)1998. The two sites supported distinctly different ant communities, with 70 species at Kidman Springs and 36 at Mount Sanford. Species richness and total abundance did not change significantly with distance from water, although species richness was always greatest at the most distant plot. However, multivariate analysis showed that ant species composition changed markedly. Despite large changes in species composition, the abundance of only six of the 24 most common species (two at Kidman Springs and four at Mount Sanford) were significantly correlated with grazing intensity. The abundance of Bassian taxa was promoted by grazing, whereas the species richness of Torresian taxa and the abundance and species richness of Widespread taxa were suppressed. Ant functional group analysis showed community organisation was resilient, with slight changes being primarily driven by Hot Climate Specialists and dependent on the season. However, the relative richness of five functional groups correlated significantly with grazing intensity, all negatively. Ant variables suppressed by grazing were positively associated with patch cover variables and litter, and negatively correlated with annual grass and bare ground, and may serve as indicators of rangeland condition. Key words: biodiversity, cattle grazing, indicators, piosphere, rangeland management, semi-arid, tropical savannas

Assessing the performance of remotely sensed landscape function indices in semi-arid rangelands of Iran

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Jafari ◽  
R. Jafari ◽  
H. Bashari
Keyword(s):  
Structural Properties ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Landscape Function ◽  
Structural And Functional Properties ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Arid Rangelands ◽  
Semi Arid

Appropriate rangeland management requires rangeland function analysis at broad scales. This study aimed to examine the potential of remotely sensed function indices extracted from Landsat data to evaluate the function of semi-arid rangelands in central Iran at the sub-basin scale. Three replicate 30-m transects were randomly placed in the dominant slope direction of 14 selected sub-basins. Various structural properties of vegetation (e.g. number and size of vegetation patches and interpatch lengths) and soil surface were scored based on the landscape function analysis (LFA) procedure. The obtained structural and function indices of the LFA, as well as field percent vegetation cover, were compared with the perpendicular distance vegetation index and remotely sensed function indices including proximity, lacunarity, leakiness index, and weighted mean patch size (WMPS). Remotely sensed function indices were found to be capable of discriminating rangeland landscapes with different conditions. Results showed that the structural properties of vegetation considered in the LFA could also be obtained through WMPS and proximity indices (R >0.76; P < 0.01). All indices, except for lacunarity, had significant correlations with percent vegetation cover and the strongest correlation was observed between WMPS and proximity. Our findings highlight the usefulness and efficiency of function indices derived from satellite data in the estimation of structural and functional properties of rangeland landscapes at the sub-basin scale.

Estimating Safe Carrying Capacities of Extensive Cattle-Grazing Properties Within Tropical, Semi-Arid Woodlands of North-Eastern Australia.

1994 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Scanlan ◽  
GM Mckeon ◽  
KA Day ◽  
JJ Mott ◽  
AW Hinton
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Resource Information ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Objective Basis ◽  
Semi Arid

A methodology is presented to estimate the safe carrying capacity of properties in extensive cattle- grazing regions within tropical, semi-arid woodlands of north-eastern Australia. Carrying capacities for 45 properties were calculated from resource information collected from the properties. These calculated carrying capacities were then compared with graziers' estimates and with Queensland Department of Lands' ratings. The rated carrying capacities were not correlated with either the calculated values or the graziers' estimates, and in general were much lower than both other values. The graziers' estimates and the calculated values were highly correlated with a slope not significantly different from 1 (p>0.1). This methodology could form the basis of a review of rated carrying capacities on an objective basis. Refinements would be necessary to improve the determination of individual cases with particular emphasis on spatial variability of resource use and fine scale variability in soil fertility and tree and shrub density.

scholarly journals Phenology-Based Biomass Estimation to Support Rangeland Management in Semi-Arid Environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Schucknecht ◽  
Michele Meroni ◽  
Francois Kayitakire ◽  
Amadou Boureima
Keyword(s):  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Biomass Estimation ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Mudanças Climáticas Globais e a Pecuária: Cenários Futuros para o Semiárido Brasileiro (Global Climatic Changes and Animal Production: Future Scenarios for the Brazilian Tropical Semiarid)

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Menezes Santos ◽  
Tadeu Vinhas Voltolini ◽  
Ana Clara Rodrigues Cavalcante ◽  
José Ricardo Macedo Pezzopane ◽  
Magna Soelma Beserra de Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Climatic Changes ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Future Scenarios ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Brachiaria Brizantha ◽  
Caatinga Biome ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Animal Production Systems

Os sistemas de produção animal no Semiárido brasileiro podem ser vulneráveis às mudanças climáticas. Cenários futuros para a produção de Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum, Cenchrus ciliaris e Opuntia fícus indica foram analisados para a identificação de áreas mais vulneráveis. A partir dos modelos já disponíveis, foram identificadas algumas áreas de maior vulnerabilidade, o que possibilitou a indicação de alternativas de adaptação dos sistemas de produção para mitigação de possíveis impactos negativos das mudanças climáticas globais sobre a produção animal do Semiárido brasileiro. O desenvolvimento de técnicas para o uso sustentável da Caatinga como pasto nativo contribuirá para reduzir a degradação deste bioma e os riscos de desertificação da região. Novas variedades de plantas forrageiras, tanto de exóticas quanto de espécies nativas, melhor adaptadas para as condições de cenários climáticos futuros poderão ser desenvolvidos através do melhoramento vegetal. O uso de irrigação de pastagens e o aproveitamento de co-produtos na alimentação dos animais contribuirão para o aumento de produtividade e para a redução da pressão sobre a vegetação nativa. Diversos grupos de pesquisa têm desenvolvido modelos melhores para projeção regionalizada de chuva e de temperatura. O desenvolvimento desses modelos permitirá uma investigação mais precisa dos possíveis impactos das mudanças climáticas globais sobre a pecuária no semiárido brasileiro. Palavras - chave: pastagem; pastagem nativa; produção animal; sistemas de produção.  Global Climatic Changes and Animal Production: Future Scenarios for the Brazilian Tropical Semiarid  ABSTRACTThe animal production systems on semi-arid areas of Brazil may be vulnerable to global climatic changes. Future scenarios for the production of Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum, Cenchrus ciliaris and Opuntia fícus indica were analysed to identify more vulnerable areas. Using the models already available, areas with higher vulnerability were identified and alternatives for adaptation of current animal production systems were proposed to mitigate possible negative impacts of global climatic changes. The development of techniques for the sustainable use of Caatinga as native pasture may contribute to reduce degradation of the Caatinga biome and to reduce risks of desertification. New genotypes of exotic and native forage species, better adapted to future climatic conditions, may be developed through plant breeding. Pasture irrigation and use of residues from industries as animal feed will improve productivity and reduce pressure over Caatinga biome. Several research groups are developing better models to a better regionalized prediction of rainfall and temperature. The development of this models will allow a more precise investigation of the possible impacts of the climatic changes on animal production systems on semi-arid area of Brazil.  Keywords:grassland; rangeland; animal production; production systems.

scholarly journals Os impactos das mudanças climáticas sobre os recursos hídricos e a produção animal em regiões semiáridas (Impacts of climate change on water resources and animal production in semi-arid regions)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Risk Monitoring ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

As zonas áridas e semiáridas em todo mundo têm expressivos rebanhos de grandes e pequenos ruminantes, que fazem parte de importantes sistemas de produção e da geração de renda das populações. As mudanças climáticas estão atingindo a pecuária destas regiões e, consequentemente, suas produções estão sendo afetadas significativamente, por problemas de baixa oferta hídrica, queda na produção e disponibilidade de forragens, bem-estar animal, causadas por alterações da temperatura, radiação solar, evapotranspiração, baixa pluviosidade e umidade do solo. Este desafio está posto e só poderá ser superado com um esforço conjunto de várias instituições, envolvendo governos, organizações e instituições de pesquisas, que possam aportar recursos, conhecimentos, ferramentas e tecnologias capazes de proporcionar a sustentabilidade ambiental e econômica da atividade pecuária. Este artigo aborda alguns aspectos relacionados aos efeitos das mudanças climáticas sobre os recursos hídricos e as consequências sobre a produção animal. Descreve algumas ferramentas de zoneamento bioclimático e de monitoramento de risco pecuário, além de trazer algumas possíveis alternativas de mitigação aos efeitos das mudanças climáticas, particularmente, relacionadas a diminuição da oferta hídrica para os sistemas de produção de ruminantes, no semiárido. Arid and semi-arid areas in the world has significant herds of large and small ruminants, which are part of major production systems and the generation of income populations. Climate change is affecting the livestock of these regions and, consequently, their productions are being significantly affected by low water supply problems, decrease in the production and availability of feed, animal welfare, caused by changes in temperature, solar radiation, evapotranspiration, low rainfall and soil moisture. This challenge is set and can only be overcome by a joint effort of various institutions, involving governments, organizations and research institutions that can provide resources, knowledge, tools and technologies that provide environmental and economic sustainability of the livestock activity. This article discusses some aspects related to the effects of climate change on water resources and the consequences on animal production. Describes some tools of zones bioclimatic and livestock risk monitoring, and bring some possible alternatives to mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly related to decreased water supply to the ruminant production systems in semi-arid. Keyworlds: water, increase temperature, animal welfare, ruminants, production system.   

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