Seasonal variation in water buffaloes’ diet grazing in wet grasslands in Northern Greece

Abstract

Seasonal variability in grasslands’ vegetation affects animals’ diet selection. We studied the seasonal changes in water buffaloes’ diet during grazing in wet grasslands in Northern Greece. We recorded each month the plant species of the vegetation and the species consumed by buffaloes. We categorized the former into three functional groups (graminoids, legumes, and forbs) and the latter into five groups (graminoids, legumes, forbs, shrubs, and trees). There were significant differences in the proportions (%) of functional groups in the vegetation and in buffaloes’ diet between seasons (χ2 test, P<0.05). Graminoids, legumes, and forbs participated in buffaloes’ diet in all seasons, while the less preferred functional groups were trees and shrubs. Buffaloes consumed ten species in all seasons but we observed the most diverse diet, in terms of plant species, in spring. The most frequently consumed species in each functional group were Cynodon dactylon (graminoids), Trifolium repens (legumes), Cichorium intybus (forbs), Rubus sp. (shrubs), and Populus sp. (trees). However, the majority of plant species in buffaloes’ diet was in very low proportions (<1%), while buffaloes did not sample at all 38 herbaceous species. Researchers need to conduct further research to understand water buffaloes’ foraging strategy regarding plants’ anti-quality characteristics.

Chemical and nutritional characteristics of Cannabis sativa L. co‐products

“…No data in the literature were present about protein degradability into the rumen of hemp discarded seeds and flower co‐products. In particular, these last showed interesting protein and NDF contents comparable to legume forages usually utilized in ruminant nutrition such as berseem clover (Sabia et al, 2015 ; Tsiobani et al, 2019 ). The high content of structural carbohydrates could make available a high energy level in these substrates.…”

“…No data in the literature were present about protein degradability into the rumen of hemp discarded seeds and flower co-products. In particular, these last showed interesting protein and NDF contents comparable to legume forages usually utilized in ruminant nutrition such as berseem clover (Sabia et al, 2015;Tsiobani et al, 2019 Abbreviations: SF, refusal of flour production; SO, refusal of oil extraction; FR, refusal of trimming of flower (rough); FT, refusal of trimming of flower (thin); OMD, organic matter degradability; OMVC, cumulative volume of gas related to incubate organic matter; R max , maximum fermentation rate; T max , time at which R max occurs.…”

Conservation and diversity of Palaearctic grasslands – Editorial to the 5th EDGG special issue in Hacquetia

“…This special issue consists of five contributions, from Switzerland , Hungary (Deák et al 2019, Greece (Tsiobani et al 2019), and Ukraine (Polchaninova et al 2019). These studies cover a wide range of grassland ecosystems from mountain dry grasslands to lowland loess grasslands, feather-grass steppes and wet grasslands, and focus on the biodiversity value and conservation issues of Palaearctic grasslands.…”

“…The study highlights that without specific measures to avoid the degradation of the kurgans through invasion by weeds, their assemblages are likely to decline and eventually be lost, with a major impact on regional biodiversity. Tsiobani et al (2019) studied the diet selection of water buffalos in relation to the seasonal variability of wet grassland vegetation in Northern Greece. They recorded the plant species composition monthly in wet grasslands and the species consumed by the buffalos.…”

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“…We believe that this compilation will contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of grasslands and support their more effective conservation. The special issue contains five research papers from Greece(Tsiobani et al 2019), Hungary(Deák et al 2019, Switzerland(Dengler et al 2019a) and Ukraine(Polchaninova et al 2019). The Special Feature also includes a report of the EDGG activities in 2018 and 2019(Dengler et al 2019b) and an editorial paper(Valkó et al 2019).Hacquetia (http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/hacq) is the international journal of the Biological Branch of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences.…”