In vitro digestibility of seasonal forages used by wapiti and roe deer in northeastern China

Chen, Hua-Peng; Ma, Jingyun; Sun, Zhongyu; Li, Feng; Huai, Wenxin; Luo, Liyang; Li, Fēi

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.1998.tb00389.x

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(33 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The forage quality data for spring and summer suggest that requirements of red deer are easily met with, including increased needs by lactating hinds or dominant stags for protein (Cook, ). However, the data on fibre contents (particularly the elevated lignin contents) show that towards autumn and winter, digestibility of forage available on the forested slopes might have become critical for meeting daily energy requirements necessary to prevent excessive body mass loss (Chen et al ., ; Christianson & Creel, ). For crude protein contents, the lower threshold is given as 8% for adult female elk (Cook, ; similar in Van Soest, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A herbivore's food landscape: seasonal dynamics and nutritional implications of diet selection by a red deer population in contrasting Alpine habitats

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dietary constraints for large herbivores tend to be most strongly linked to quality of the forage available. In highly seasonal environments, such as mountain areas, both plant quality and available biomass may act as constraints. However, studies addressing the nutritional basis of diet selection of wild large herbivores under harsh conditions in sufficiently large spatial and temporal frameworks are scarce. We studied the functional importance of relative variability in plant quality and biomass for diet selection by a migratory population of Alpine red deer (Cervus elaphus) at the landscape scale and across an annual cycle. Botanical diet composition at plant group level did not show a particular 'Alpine pattern' but was similar to known patterns from lowland areas. Sources of variability were season, habitat (either open land or forest) and sex. Red deer foraged selectively in all seasons, and preferences for plant groups were negatively linked to plant abundances. Use and selection of plant groups were associated with high nutritional value (high crude protein and organic matter, low fibre), but partly also with high levels of active tannins. In the cold season, deer made strong nocturnal use of fertilized valley floor meadows offering high-quality grass, but still showed some selection for tannin-and fibre-rich coniferous browse, indicating a need for supplementing grass intake. Altogether, the nutritional value of the diet exceeded that of the forage available in the forested habitat, which was at or below the lower threshold for fulfilling metabolic needs of red deer. High-quality grass on farmed meadows may thus be a critical source of food in mountainous areas during winter.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A herbivore's food landscape: seasonal dynamics and nutritional implications of diet selection by a red deer population in contrasting Alpine habitats

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Grazing lasted until late spring, then the number of browsed woody plants and browsing intensity increased and browsing seemed to replace grazing until autumn. Neither the quality of herbs (both grasses and forbs) nor that of evergreen browse is optimal during the autumn (Chen 1998;Garin 1997;Mattson 1980;van Soest 1994), but this was the only food available at that time.…”

Section: Habitat Selection and Foraging Behaviour By Sheepmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understorey foraging and habitat selection by sheep in mixed Atlantic woodland

Garin¹,

Aldezábal²,

Herrero

et al. 2000

J Vegetation Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. The main objectives of this study were to investigate sheep foraging behaviour in mixed Atlantic woodland and to assess its impact on the forest understorey. We established 89 plots along four forest types: Fagus woodland, Quercus woodland, riparian gallery forest and conifer plantations. The presence of plant species in the forest understorey and their foraging damage was surveyed bimonthly from July 1996 to June 1997. In addition, we estimated the selection of woodland types by sheep through the pellet‐group count technique. The intensity of foraging by sheep was negligible for most of the plant species, however several species showed substantial damage in some woodland types. Among the species that were abundant and widespread in the entire study area, Rubus ulmifolius, graminoids and Ilex aquifolium were consumed most. Sheep selected only larch plantations, where grasses and Rubus were very abundant. This grazing behaviour reduced browsing damage of the understorey of woodland stands with higher conservation value, such as Quercus and Fagus woodlands.

show abstract

Simulated Browsing Impacts On Aspen Suckers' Density, Growth, and Nutritional Responses

Tshireletso¹

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In vitro digestibility of seasonal forages used by wapiti and roe deer in northeastern China

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

A herbivore's food landscape: seasonal dynamics and nutritional implications of diet selection by a red deer population in contrasting Alpine habitats

A herbivore's food landscape: seasonal dynamics and nutritional implications of diet selection by a red deer population in contrasting Alpine habitats

Understorey foraging and habitat selection by sheep in mixed Atlantic woodland

Simulated Browsing Impacts On Aspen Suckers' Density, Growth, and Nutritional Responses

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About