Goat track networks facilitate efficiency in movement and foraging

Jin, Baocheng; Sun, Guojun; Cheng, Hua; Zhang, Ying; Zou, Mei; Ni, Xiaofeng; Luo, Kai; Zhang, Xueli; Li, Fengmin; Wu, X. Ben

doi:10.1007/s10980-019-00877-w

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Similar route patterns have been reported for other drylands around the world, such as in China (Jin et al., 2016 , 2019 ; Sun et al., 2020 ), Kyrgyzstan (Liu & Watanabe, 2013 ), Spain (Ries, 2010 ; Ries et al., 2013 ), and the USA (Corrao et al., 2015 , 2016 ; Ganskopp et al., 2000 ; Trimble & Mendel, 1995 ). Also, despite not specifically indicated, livestock routes have apparently formed in Iran (see Rahmanian et al., 2019 ).…”

Section: Implications Of Animal Routes For Geoecosystem Functioningsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…For example, in Israel, animal routes occur between the dry subhumid region in the north of the country, through the central, semiarid, and arid zones, to the hyper-arid region in the south of the country (Figure 2). Similar route patterns have been reported for other drylands around the world, such as in China (Jin et al, 2016(Jin et al, , 2019Sun et al, 2020), Kyrgyzstan (Liu & Watanabe, 2013), Spain (Ries, 2010;Ries et al, 2013), and the USA (Corrao et al, 2015(Corrao et al, , 2016Ganskopp et al, 2000;Trimble & Mendel, 1995). Also, despite not specifically indicated, livestock routes have apparently formed in Iran (see Rahmanian et al, 2019).…”

Section: Impli C Ati On S Of Animal Route S For G Eoecosys Tem Fun C Tioningsupporting

confidence: 69%

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Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Stavi

Yizhaq

Osem

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Section: Implications Of Animal Routes For Geoecosystem Functioningsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Impli C Ati On S Of Animal Route S For G Eoecosys Tem Fun C Tioningsupporting

confidence: 69%

Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Stavi

Yizhaq

Osem

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Field observations revealed that the livestock are dominated by large animals, such as cattle and horses, in the Zollersay Mountain area. The width of the grazing path is higher than that in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River as well as the Loess Plateau in China, where sheep are the main breeding animals [12,41], but also in the California region of the USA, where cattle and horses are the main breeding animals (40 cm) [13]. The tortuosity of the grazing path ranged from 0.89 to 1.74, which was lower than in the scrub [12], mainly on account of the fact that livestock did not have to avoid the obstruction of their feeding by the scrub on the grassland.…”

Section: Evolution Of Grazing Path Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Grazing Paths and Their Influence on Mountain Vegetation in the Traditional Grazing Area of the Tien-Shan Mountains

et al. 2023

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In the Tien-Shan Mountains, Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, the livestock industry has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. However, this expansion has led to increased overgrazing behavior, resulting in the proliferation of grazing paths and a decline in vegetation cover. These factors are considered the main causes of vegetation degradation in the region. To investigate this issue, we conducted a study utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle imagery in the Zollersay Mountains of Ili to examine the distribution of grazing paths and their effects on mountain vegetation, including grassland and Malus sieversii. The results of our study revealed that grazing paths in the area exhibited various formations, including parallel, oblique intersection, and grid. On the hilltop, the grazing paths were not only shorter but also wider, whereas on the hillside, they were denser, indicating a higher concentration of livestock trampling events. It was found that grazing path density played a pivotal role in grassland degradation, with a negative correlation observed between grazing path density and indicators such as the grassland quality index and grass vegetation coverage. As grazing path density increased, the damage inflicted on Malus sieversii by livestock also intensified. However, as the trees grow older, their height surpasses the feeding range of livestock, resulting in reduced grazing impact. The findings of our study carry significant implications for developing scientifically informed livestock policies and promoting the conservation of wild fruit forests.

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“…The semiarid hilly rangeland in Loess Plateau has been grazed for over a thousand years [37]. Terracette landscapes formed likely from livestock utilization, resulting in strongly patterned spatial distribution of vegetation, water, and nutrients [38,39]. The Zhongwei goats are the main livestock species of the study area and are famous for their valued cashmere wool and climbing ability [40].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Resource selection of free-ranging goats and potential behavioral mechanisms

Cheng

Jin

Luo

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background: Herbivores rarely move and forage randomly in rangelands. They tend to move in ways that balance energy acquisition from food intake and energy expenditure to find food, which are generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors respectively. However, few studies have explored the relative importance of energy acquisition and expenditure in the foraging behavior of livestock or wild angulates in the absence of predation and human disturbance. There is also limited understanding of the trade-offs between forage quality and quantity and its implications to foraging behaviors of livestock. Methods: Satellite remote sensing, vegetation surveys, and GPS-tracking of 181 free-ranging Zhongwei goats over five years (2013-2017) were used to assess how biotic and abiotic factors affect the spatiotemporal distribution of free-ranging goats when foraging in the semiarid grassland of Loess Plateau. Results: The goats tended to use gentler slopes throughout the year which likely reduced energy expenditure. The spatial distributions of goats, however, primarily responded to the spatiotemporal variation of biotic factors rather than abiotic factors of elevation, slope and solar radiation. They preferentially used areas with higher forage quantity in the spring, areas of higher forage quality and quantity in summer, areas of higher quality in terms of abundance of palatable species in autumn, and areas of higher forage quantity in the winter. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, energy acquisition is of priority to energy expenditure in the foraging process for the Zhongwei goats. The preferences of the goats for forage quality or quantity vary with forage availability, selecting for higher forage quality when the forage is plentiful and for higher forage quantity otherwise. Better understanding of the patterns and drivers of spatiotemporal distribution of the goats can improve our ability to predict foraging behavior of livestock in heterogeneous environment and lead to better management practices and policy for sustainability of these arid landscapes and associated ecosystem services.

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Goat track networks facilitate efficiency in movement and foraging

Cited by 6 publications

References 35 publications

Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Distribution of Grazing Paths and Their Influence on Mountain Vegetation in the Traditional Grazing Area of the Tien-Shan Mountains

Resource selection of free-ranging goats and potential behavioral mechanisms

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