The Trophic Ecology of Bison bison L. on Shortgrass Plains

Peden, D.; Dyne, George M. Van; Rice, Robert C.; Hansen, Richard M.

doi:10.2307/2402203

Cited by 117 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Atsedu (1995) found differences in nitrogen content increases of grazed plants on the shortgrass steppe to be dependent on grazing histories and intensities. Also, cattle and bison are similar in that both are generalist herbivores, but cattle are more selective feeders (Peden et al 1974). The examination of cattle use of prairie dog towns on mixed-grass prairie and of bison use of prairie dog towns on shortgrass prairie would provide insights as to whether it is cattle or the shortgrass system that is driving the preferences for prairie dog towns.…”

Section: Our Vegetation Characterization Indi-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Observations of Cattle Use of Prairie Dog Towns

Guenther¹,

Detling²

2003

Journal of Range Management

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We investigated the use of prairie dog towns by cattle (Bos taurus) on the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado by conducting surveys of cattle and vegetation from June to August 1999. Cattle presence and behavior were recorded 3 times a week during driving surveys of 15 black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns. A subset of 3 pastures with prairie dog towns was intensively surveyed twice weekly wherein the habitat and activity of a randomly chosen focal animal was recorded every 6 minutes for 3.5 hours. Bite and step counts of other individuals were recorded for 5-minute intervals. Vegetation height and cover data were collected monthly on each of 6 habitats.Results from driving surveys and intensively surveyed pastures were similar; cattle neither significantly preferred nor avoided prairie dog towns. Bare ground cover on prairie dog towns did not significantly differ from most other habitats, but vegetation on prairie dog towns was significantly shorter on (mean = 6.7 cm) than that off (mean = 11.9 cm) prairie dog towns.Nevertheless, foraging observations indicated that there was no significant difference between cattle foraging rates on swales (70.9 bites/min) and prairie dog towns (69.5 bites/min). Thus, cattle on the shortgrass steppe appear to use prairie dog towns in proportion to their availability and, while there, they graze as intensively as they do on habitats not inhabited by prairie dogs.

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Section: Our Vegetation Characterization Indi-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Observations of Cattle Use of Prairie Dog Towns

Guenther¹,

Detling²

2003

Journal of Range Management

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“…Although bison are roughage grazers adapted to low quality forage, they are selective when conditions allow (Peden et al 1974, Belovsky 1986, Plumb and Dodd 1993, Coppedge et al 1998. Bison (this study) consistently consumed the upper portion of the plant.…”

Section: Grazing Behavior and Diet Selectionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Activity budgets and foraging behavior of bison on seeded pastures

Rutley¹,

Hudson²

2001

REM

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“…Likewise, cattle diets were higher in forbs and shrubs (14-30% dry matter) than those of bison (1-8% dry matter). Peden et al (1974) also found that bison diets were lower in digestibility, higher in crude fiber and lower in crude protein than the diets of cattle in the same pasture. However, using the nylon bag technique, Peden et al (1974) discovered that forage placed in the rumen of bison was digested to a significantly greater extent than the same forage placed in the rumen of cattle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…In a comparative study of the diets of cattle and bison, Peden et al (1974) found that bison consumed diets composed of a higher proportion of grasses (92-99% dry matter) than did cattle in the same pasture (70--86% dry matter). Likewise, cattle diets were higher in forbs and shrubs (14-30% dry matter) than those of bison (1-8% dry matter).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These apparent differences in digestive powers of bison and cattle were hypothesized by Peden (1972) to be related to urea metabolism and recycling. Hypothetically, bison are adapted to major seasonal changes in forage quality, including very low protein content winter forages, and are capable of recycling urea from body pools into the rumen under conditions of low forage protein.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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