Foraging Behavior by Mule Deer: The Influence of Cattle Grazing

Kie, John G.; Evans, Charles J.; Loft, Eric R.; Menke, John W.

doi:10.2307/3809516

Cited by 70 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Yet the ecological impacts of livestock grazing on wildlife conservation objectives, as well as the social dynamics that influence stocking densities and herding behaviour, are poorly understood but strongly debated (Saberwal, 1996(Saberwal, , 1998Mishra & Rawat, 1998). The issue of forage competition between livestock and wild herbivores, although long acknowledged as being important for conservation management (Kie et al, 1991), has remained a contentious one and reviews suggest a worldwide scarcity of studies aimed at understanding it (Putman, 1996;Prins, 2000). In this paper, we evaluate the effects of livestock grazing on the conservation status of a mountain ungulate in the Trans-Himalayan cold deserts of India in the context of current social dynamics in the region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans‐Himalayan mountains

Bagchi

Mishra

Bhatnagar

2004

Animal Conservation

133

121

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There is recent evidence to suggest that domestic livestock deplete the density and diversity of wild herbivores in the cold deserts of the Trans-Himalaya by imposing resource limitations. To ascertain the degree and nature of threats faced by Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) from seven livestock species, we studied their resource use patterns over space, habitat and food dimensions in the pastures of Pin Valley National Park in the Spiti region of the Indian Himalaya. Species diet profiles were obtained by direct observations. We assessed the similarity in habitat use and diets of ibex and livestock using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling. We estimated the influence of the spatial distribution of livestock on habitat and diet choice of ibex by examining their co-occurrence patterns in cells overlaid on the pastures. The observed co-occurrence of ibex and livestock in cells was compared with null-models generated through Monte Carlo simulations. The results suggest that goats and sheep impose resource limitations on ibex and exclude them from certain pastures. In the remaining suitable habitat, ibex share forage with horses. Ibex remained relatively unaffected by other livestock such as yaks, donkeys and cattle. However, most livestock removed large amounts of forage from the pastures (nearly 250 kg of dry matter/day by certain species), thereby reducing forage availability for ibex. Pertinent conservation issues are discussed in the light of multiple-use of parks and current socio-economic transitions in the region, which call for integrating social and ecological feedback into management planning.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans‐Himalayan mountains

Bagchi

Mishra

Bhatnagar

2004

Animal Conservation

133

121

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“…Negative impacts of cattle grazing have been reported for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) (Kie et al 1991), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Shaw, 1804) (Brown et al 2010), ground-nesting birds (Fondell and Ball 2004), odonates (Foote and Hornung 2005), and rodent species associated with habitats with substantial ground cover (hispid pocket mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus (Baird, 1858)), western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis (Baird, 1858)), white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818)), and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus Say and Ord, 1825); Bock et al 1984). Conversely, some studies described positive effects of cattle grazing in small mammals preferring open habitats (e.g., Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami Mearns, 1890), which are abundant on grazed sites; Bock et al 1984), while one study (Bakker et al 2009) showed different reactions to cattle grazing by different species: rather positive for European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L., 1758)) and negative for common voles (Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778)).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

et al. 2012

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We used experimental cattle ungrazed and grazed sites to evaluate what impact different intensities of cattle grazing have on deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Live-trapping of these small rodents was conducted on paired treatment plots (grazed and ungrazed) at Sheep River Provincial Park in southwestern Alberta, Canada. Before grazing started, both rodent species were equally abundant in either grazed or ungrazed sites. Introduction of grazing resulted in strong but differing responses by both rodent species. Deer mice had higher population density (measured as individual animals trapped) in the grazed than in ungrazed plots, but their body mass was negatively correlated with increasing grazing pressure. Meadow voles were more heavily affected by grazing, as a strong avoidance of cattle-grazed plots was observed already at low grazing intensity. In addition, cattle grazing had noticeable effects, impacting the survival, sex and age ratios, and the ectoparasite prevalence of these two rodent populations. We conclude that there are diverse and different levels of impact of cattle grazing on those two rodents, leading to much more complex species interactions than previously thought. We suggest that the presence or absence, density, and body condition of small mammals could be used as a tool for ecosystem health assessment.Résumé : Nous utilisons des sites expérimentaux broutés et non broutés par le bétail afin d'évaluer l'impact de différentes intensités de broutage par le bétail sur les souris du crépuscule (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) et les campagnols de Pennsylvanie (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Nous avons procédé à du piégeage vivant de ces petits rongeurs sur des parcelles expérimentales appariées (broutées et non broutées) dans le parc provincial de Sheep River, sud-ouest de l'Alberta, Canada. Avant le début du broutage, les deux espèces de rongeurs étaient également abondantes dans les sites broutés et non broutés. L'introduction du broutage a causé des réactions fortes, mais distinctes, chez les deux espèces de rongeurs. Les souris du crépuscule ont une plus forte densité de population (nombre d'animaux piégés) dans les parcelles broutées que dans les non broutées, mais leur masse corporelle est en corrélation négative avec l'augmentation de la pression de broutage. Les campagnols de Pennsylvanie sont plus affectés par le broutage, puisqu'on observe un évitement des parcelles broutées, dès les faibles intensités de broutage. De plus, le broutage du bétail a des effets observables en modifiant la survie, les rapports des sexes et des âges et la prévalence des ectoparasites chez ces deux populations de rongeurs. Nous concluons qu'il existe des niveaux divers et différents d'impacts du broutage du bétail sur ces deux rongeurs, ce qui représente des interactions beaucoup plus complexes entre les espèces qu'on ne le croyait antérieurement. Nous suggérons d'utiliser la pré-sence ou absence, la densité et la co...

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“…The presence of domestic livestock can adversely affect the spatial distribution, activity budgets and/or 45 the diets of wild ungulates (Kie 1996;Kie et al 1991;Loft et al 1991;Putman 1996). This competition for space and food may also have consequences for reproductive success, and long-term population dynamics (Forsyth 2000;Forsyth and Hickling 1998;Madhusudan 2004;Mishra et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of domestic sheep on chamois activity, distribution and abundance on sub-alpine pastures

Rüttimann

Giacometti²,

McElligott

2007

Eur J Wildl Res

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Resource competition and disease transmission may occur when domestic and wild ungulates live sympatricly. We investigated if the release of sheep (Ovis aries) onto alpine pasture in Switzerland affected chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) activity budgets, local population size and spatial distribution. We also evaluated the risk of transmission of Mycoplasma conjunctivae (causing a contagious eye disease) from sheep to chamois by examining if the two species had close contact with one another. We carried out the study in an alpine valley containing two adjacent areas: one containing sheep (Fochsenflue) and one where sheep were excluded (Spitzflue). We found no difference between the activity budgets of the chamois at the two sites. At the Fochsenflue, chamois and sheep mainly used separate areas. However, after approximately 1 month, sheep started to move twice per day, into the main area of the chamois. The percentage time feeding, spatial distribution and numbers of chamois did not change in response. Sheep were responsible for all encounters in which the two species came closer than 50 m to each other. The encounters were brief, body contact never occurred, they were not concentrated at saltlicks and chamois mainly ended them. The results suggest that the presence of sheep had little effect on the chamois. However, competition between the two species could still be occurring over a longer time scale. Finally, we found that the risk of inter-specific transmission of IKC through direct body contact is likely to be low, but the risk through indirect means (flies or aerosols) remains.

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Foraging Behavior by Mule Deer: The Influence of Cattle Grazing

Cited by 70 publications

References 32 publications

Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans‐Himalayan mountains

Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans‐Himalayan mountains

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

Effect of domestic sheep on chamois activity, distribution and abundance on sub-alpine pastures

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