A review of plant‐based methods of estimating food consumption, percentage utilisation, species preferences and feeding patterns of grazing and browsing animals

Barnes, D. L.

doi:10.1080/00725560.1976.9648781

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…These were (1) analysis of ingesta or faeces of animals; (2) direct observation of feeding; and (3) the measurement of previously browsed vegetation (plantbased methods) (Barnes 1976). …”

Section: The Diet Composition Assessment Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of woody browse and habitat by the black rhino (Diceros bicornis)in western Itala Game Reserve

Kotze

Zacharias

1993

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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Black rhinoceros browse utilization was assessed at the woody plant species and community levels in western Itala Game Reserve, South Africa, using a semi-quantitative, plant-based method. Theis knowledge was used to hypothesize the possible effects of vegetation change on the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo, and Dichrostachys cinerea contributed most to the diet, and Cassine transvaalensis, Rhus guenzii, and Acacia gerrardii were the most preferred species. Eightysix percent of the recorded browse was from plants <2.5 m, suggesting that a change from open woodland, with many trees, to a closed woodland, with a few small trees, would disadvantage black rhino. Plant communities ranged from highly utilized (bottomland scrub forest) to unutilized (Combretum apiculatum sparse woodland). The extremely patchy distribution of browse utilization within communities suggests that there are other important factors affecting browse utilization besides plant species composition. It appears that tall grass detracts from browse value, while factors that improve access, such as gentle slopes and paths, enhance habitat suitability. It is hypothesized that forest verges provide important black rhino feeding areas.

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“…These were (1) analysis of ingesta or faeces of animals; (2) direct observation of feeding; and (3) the measurement of previously browsed vegetation (plantbased methods) (Barnes 1976). …”

Section: The Diet Composition Assessment Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of woody browse and habitat by the black rhino (Diceros bicornis)in western Itala Game Reserve

Kotze

Zacharias

1993

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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“…Because a bias towards slightly utilized plants would be introduced if all utilized plants, regardless of the degree of utilization, were used in the calculation of preference ratings, weighting factors were incorporated (Barnes, 1976). Thus, all elephant utilization where no regrowth had yet occurred between 1980 and 1983 was taken into account.…”

Section: Desert-dwelling Elephants 229mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, all elephant utilization where no regrowth had yet occurred between 1980 and 1983 was taken into account. Species which are totally avoided, have a zero preference ratio (Barnes, 1976;Ishwaran, 1983). Because a bias towards slightly utilized plants would be introduced if all utilized plants, regardless of the degree of utilization, were used in the calculation of preference ratings, weighting factors were incorporated (Barnes, 1976).…”

Section: Desert-dwelling Elephants 229mentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection and preferred food plants of a desert‐dwelling elephant population in the northern Namib Desert, South West Africa/Namibia

Viljoen¹

1989

African Journal of Ecology

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SUMMARY The habitat selection and woody food plant preferences of a desert‐dwelling elephant population in the extremely arid, northern Namib Desert region of South West Africa/Namibia are discussed. The river course habitat is clearly the best available habitat and also the only habitat upon which the elephants can depend for long‐term survival. Flood plains, however, seem to be the preferred habitat type, but are only available during the wet season. With the exception of the mountains and rocky plains, all the other habitat types are used on an opportunistic, short‐term basis only, while the gravel plains are mostly avoided. It is clear that the desert‐dwelling elephants have a definite preference for certain woody plant species, irrespective of plant availability or size. Colophospermum mopane Kirk ex Benth, Tamarix usneoides E. Meyer ex Bunge and Combretum imberbe Wanira appear to be the most important woody food plants in terms of forage bulk. The relatively opportunistic habitat selection and unspecialized nature of the diet of these elephants make them well suited to the adversities of their arid environment. Résumé On discute la sélection de l'habitat et les préférences pour les plantes alimentaires ligneuses chez une population d'éléphants nomades; cette population vit dans une région extrêmement aride au nord du désert de Namib, en Namibie. La végétation du bord des cours d'eau est manifestement le meilleur habitat disponible et le seul duquel dépend la survie à long terme des éléphants. Les plaines inondables semblent cependant être le type d'habitat préféré, mais qui n'est disponible que durant la saison des pluies. A l'exception des montagnes et des plaines rocheuses, tous les autres habitats sont exploités ponctuellement et de manière opportuniste. Les plaines de graviers sont expressément évitées. II est clair que ces éléphants nomades du désert ont une préférence marquée pour certaines espèces de plantes ligneuses, quelque soit la disponibilité de la plante ou sa taille. Colophospermum mopane, Tamarix usneoides, et Combretum imberbe semblent être les plantes ligneuses alimentaires les plus importantes comme base de fourrage. La sélection de l'habitat relativement opportuniste et la nature non spécialisée du régime alimentaire de ces éléphants les rendent préparés aux adversités de leur environnement aride.

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“…A serious shortcoming of plant-based utilisation studies is often the lack of information regarding the agent responsible for the damage (Barnes 1976, Rutherford 1979. This shortcoming especially hinders the applicability of these techniques to study the foraging behaviour of single species in multi-species systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kudu foraging behaviour: influenced by animal density?

Waal¹

2005

African Journal of Range & Forage Science

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In deciduous savanna a marked decline in browse availability characterises the late dry season and apparently regulates populations of large browser species such as kudu. The dry season utilisation patterns of two woody species, Acacia tortilis and Boscia albitrunca, in two comparable sites but subjected to different kudu densities, were studied to determine if kudu adapt their feeding behaviour in response to animal density. Shoots of plants in the high-density area were vertically more uniformly utilised compared to shoots in the low-density area where browsing was more intense in certain height strata. Thicker shoots were selected in the high-density area and smaller plants selected than in the low-density area. It is concluded that kudu feeding behaviour during the dry season was significantly altered as a result of animal density differences. It is suggested that a high browsing pressure during times of low browse availability probably affects the productivity and recruitment of critical resources and questions the sustainability of such systems.

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A review of plant‐based methods of estimating food consumption, percentage utilisation, species preferences and feeding patterns of grazing and browsing animals

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

Utilization of woody browse and habitat by the black rhino (Diceros bicornis)in western Itala Game Reserve

Utilization of woody browse and habitat by the black rhino (Diceros bicornis)in western Itala Game Reserve

Habitat selection and preferred food plants of a desert‐dwelling elephant population in the northern Namib Desert, South West Africa/Namibia

Kudu foraging behaviour: influenced by animal density?

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