Comparative Studies of Diet Selection by Sheep and Cattle: The Hill Grasslands

Grant, Sheila; Suckling, D. E.; Smith, H. K.; Torvell, L.; Forbes, T. D. A.; Hodgson, J.

doi:10.2307/2260163

Cited by 179 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Their greater abundance in acid grassland in the current study may reflect the lower effective stocking density in this habitat type, which is a product of sheep grazing behaviour. Sheep are preferential grazers, able to select preferred plant species within a sward (Grant et al 1985). Where preferred vegetation is available sheep avoid N. stricta (Grant et al 1985), the dominant species in the acid grassland habitat.…”

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sheep are preferential grazers, able to select preferred plant species within a sward (Grant et al 1985). Where preferred vegetation is available sheep avoid N. stricta (Grant et al 1985), the dominant species in the acid grassland habitat. This likely results in a lower effective stocking density in the acid grassland habitat compared to the calcareous grassland, thus providing suitable conditions for P. degeeri.…”

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under reduced intensity sheep grazing, these patches are either maintained as acid grassland (dominated by Nardus stricta) or develop into the climax community of limestone heath [EC Habitats Directive Annex 1 (Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2013)]. The selective grazing behaviour of sheep results in particular vegetation patches experiencing different effective stocking densities (Dennis et al 2015;Grant et al 1985). At low stocking densities sheep restrict grazing to vegetation patches containing preferred plant species resulting in effectively ungrazed patches of less preferred vegetation (Hester and Baillie 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

et al. 2017

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Upland calcareous grassland landscapes are typically comprised of a matrix of calcareous grassland, acid grassland and limestone heath plant communities. This matrix of habitats is produced by a combination of underlying geology, climate and management. These landscapes are typically managed through grazing, with management targeted to maintain particular plant communities in the calcareous grassland habitat, whilst patches of acid grassland and limestone heath are not targeted by conservation management. The biodiversity value of acid grassland and limestone heath patches within the calcareous grassland matrix are unknown. This study provides the first assessment of their biodiversity value by examining aspects of epigeal spider diversity supported by these non-target habitat patches in comparison to calcareous grassland. Spiders were sampled in each habitat from April to August 2014 using pitfall traps across three upland regions in Great Britain. Spider species assemblages were distinct between limestone heath and both grassland types. Distinction in species assemblages are likely due to differences in vegetation structure and microclimate, e.g., humidity, degree of shade. Each habitat type supported several rare species (e.g., Jacksonella falconeri, Agyneta subtilis) revealing the contribution Communicated by David Hawksworth. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10531-017-1488-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. to spider fauna. The distinct spider species assemblage and presence of rare species in limestone heath patches demonstrate their importance in the upland calcareous grassland matrix. This study highlights the value of monitoring biodiversity in non-target habitats within a habitat matrix alongside those that are actively targeted by management.

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Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: How Do Spider Assemblages Differ Among Habitats In the Calcamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

et al. 2017

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“…Increases in the abundance of unpalatable plant species following an increase in grazing pressure have often been documented (Grant et al 1985;Augustine and McNaughton 1998;Edwards and Crawley 1999), but simultaneous decreases in plant species richness have rarely been observed (e.g. Gough and Grace 1998;Todd and Hoffman 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relation Between Unpalatable Species, Nutrients and Plant Species Richness in Swiss Montane Pastures

Kleijn

Müller‐Schärer

2006

Biodivers Conserv

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Abstract. In agriculturally marginal areas, the control of unpalatable weeds on species rich pastures may become problematic due to agricultural and socio-economic developments. It is unclear how increased dominance of unpalatable species would affect the botanical diversity of these grasslands. We investigated whether there was any relationship between plant species diversity and the abundance of unpalatable species and whether soil conditions affected this relationship. In three species-rich montane pastures in western Switzerland, we related plant species richness to soil attributes, the relative cover of all unpalatable species and the relative cover of the locally dominant, toxic Veratrum album in 25 plots of 4 m 2 . We furthermore determined species richness in small transects through patches of V. album. Species richness was significantly lower in and near ( £ 0.3 m) patches of V. album. At the field scale, plant species richness was best described by total soil N:P ratio (positive relation) in one site and the relative abundance of unpalatable species (negative relation) and soil N:P ratio (positive relation) in a second site. In the third site, species richness was not significantly related to any measured variable. Vegetation diversity (Simpson's D) was negatively related to the relative abundance of unpalatable species in one site and positively related to pH in another site. The results suggest that no single factor can explain plant species richness and diversity in montane pastures. At very high densities unpalatable species can have adverse effects but soil nutrient status appears to be a more general determinant of plant species richness. Conservation efforts should give priority to the prevention of intensification of these pastures.

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“…A study by Hunter (1962) investigated sheep selection of heath and grassland plant communities using direct observations, the findings of which were used in one of the main examples of a grazing management model (Armstrong et al 1997). Additional information on diet and habitat selection by hill sheep reported by others was obtained from plot-based trials, sites with two available habitats, faecal analysis and/or field observations of sheep, impacted vegetation or faecal deposition density (Hewson and Wilson 1979;Welch 1984;Grant et al 1985;Clarke et al 1995;Hester and Baillie 1998;Hester et al 1999;Fraser et al 2009). Compared with detailed plant community mapping or alternative diet selection research methods, the less intensive, broader level of habitat mapping is more accessible to field workers and faster to carry out over large areas (Nature Conservancy Council 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat Selection by Grazing Animals in Heterogeneous Environments: The Case of Hill Sheep In Western Ireland

Williams¹,

Walls²,

Walsh³

et al. 2012

Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acade

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Uplands and peatlands are of high conservation importance and, while grazing animals are a key management tool for conservation, grazing-related damage can easily occur. Damage to European uplands is most notable in Britain and Ireland, where Scottish Blackface is the dominant hill sheep breed. Therefore, if conservation strategies that address concerns of grazing-related damage are to be strengthened, the Scottish Blackface is a good subject and a better understanding of their resource use would be advantageous. While previous habitat selection studies of hill sheep have depended on direct observation, this particular study uses Global Positioning System tracking collars to determine ewe locations. The study site is on a mountainside in western Ireland that is dominated by blanket bog (52.8%) and wet heath (35.3%). Habitat mapping and ewe range and resource selection analyses indicated that habitat selection was significant (P B0.05), typically acid grassland is selected most followed by wet heath, with blanket bog habitats selected least. Seasonal variation in habitat selection was also evident. These results (1) corroborate the findings of previous work elsewhere on plant community/habitat selection and (2) provide additional information that can be used to strengthen existing or new hill grazing management models that are used to aid decision-making. In particular, management plans should take into consideration the availability (both in terms of total area and connectivity) of the preferred sheep habitats and specifically consider grazing pressure in and between those habitats.

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Comparative Studies of Diet Selection by Sheep and Cattle: The Hill Grasslands

Cited by 179 publications

References 18 publications

Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

Habitat associations of epigeal spiders in upland calcareous grassland landscapes: the importance for conservation

The Relation Between Unpalatable Species, Nutrients and Plant Species Richness in Swiss Montane Pastures

Habitat Selection by Grazing Animals in Heterogeneous Environments: The Case of Hill Sheep In Western Ireland

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