Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna
Broad- and fine-leaved woody species respond to seasonal changes from wet to dry season differently. For example, broad-leaved species shed their leaves earlier, while fine-leaved species, especially acacias retain green foliage well into the dry season. These differences are expected to result in v...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0242231 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4156 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1779905208857395200 |
|---|---|
| author | Nyamukanza, Casper C. Sebata, Allan |
| author_facet | Nyamukanza, Casper C. Sebata, Allan |
| author_sort | Nyamukanza, Casper C. |
| collection | DSpace |
| description | Broad- and fine-leaved woody species respond to seasonal changes from wet to dry season differently. For example, broad-leaved species shed their leaves earlier, while fine-leaved species, especially acacias retain green foliage well into the dry season. These differences are expected to result in variation in selection of broad- and fine-leaved woody species as browse by free-ranging goats. We tested the hypothesis that free-ranging goats select broad-leaved woody species more than fine-leaved species during wet (growth) season and fine-leaved woody species more than broad-leaved species during dry season. In addition, we tested if broad- and fine-leaved woody species had different foliar dry matter digestibility and chemical composition (crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, total phenolics and condensed tannins concentration). Free-ranging goats were observed foraging on broad- and fine-leaved woody species over a two-year period (2014 and 2015) during three seasons: early wet (October/November), late wet (February/March) and dry (May/June). Ivlev’s selectivity or Jacob’s index (Ei) was calculated for five woody species (two broad-leaved and three fine-leaved) browsed by goats during wet and dry season. Jacob’s selectivity index was higher for broad–leaved (Ziziphus mucronata and Searsia (Rhus) tenuinervis) than fine-leaved woody species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo and Dichrostachys cinerea) during wet season. However, the trend was reversed during dry season with fine-leaved species having higher Jacob’s selectivity index than broad-leaved species. Leaf dry matter digestibility and chemical composition was similar between broad- and fine-leaved woody species throughout the year. We conclude that goats selected broad-leaved woody species during wet season when browse was plentiful and then switched to fine-leaved species which retained leaves during dry season. |
| format | Article |
| id | ir-11408-4156 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ir-11408-41562022-06-27T13:49:06Z Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna Nyamukanza, Casper C. Sebata, Allan leaf type on browse selection Ree-ranging goats Southern African savanna Broad- and fine-leaved woody species respond to seasonal changes from wet to dry season differently. For example, broad-leaved species shed their leaves earlier, while fine-leaved species, especially acacias retain green foliage well into the dry season. These differences are expected to result in variation in selection of broad- and fine-leaved woody species as browse by free-ranging goats. We tested the hypothesis that free-ranging goats select broad-leaved woody species more than fine-leaved species during wet (growth) season and fine-leaved woody species more than broad-leaved species during dry season. In addition, we tested if broad- and fine-leaved woody species had different foliar dry matter digestibility and chemical composition (crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, total phenolics and condensed tannins concentration). Free-ranging goats were observed foraging on broad- and fine-leaved woody species over a two-year period (2014 and 2015) during three seasons: early wet (October/November), late wet (February/March) and dry (May/June). Ivlev’s selectivity or Jacob’s index (Ei) was calculated for five woody species (two broad-leaved and three fine-leaved) browsed by goats during wet and dry season. Jacob’s selectivity index was higher for broad–leaved (Ziziphus mucronata and Searsia (Rhus) tenuinervis) than fine-leaved woody species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia karroo and Dichrostachys cinerea) during wet season. However, the trend was reversed during dry season with fine-leaved species having higher Jacob’s selectivity index than broad-leaved species. Leaf dry matter digestibility and chemical composition was similar between broad- and fine-leaved woody species throughout the year. We conclude that goats selected broad-leaved woody species during wet season when browse was plentiful and then switched to fine-leaved species which retained leaves during dry season. 2021-05-11T06:23:39Z 2021-05-11T06:23:39Z 2020 Article 19326203 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0242231 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4156 en PLoS ONE 15(11); open Public Library of Science |
| spellingShingle | leaf type on browse selection Ree-ranging goats Southern African savanna Nyamukanza, Casper C. Sebata, Allan Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title | Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title_full | Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title_fullStr | Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title_short | Effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern African savanna |
| title_sort | effect of leaf type on browse selection by free ranging goats in a southern african savanna |
| topic | leaf type on browse selection Ree-ranging goats Southern African savanna |
| url | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0242231 http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4156 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nyamukanzacasperc effectofleaftypeonbrowseselectionbyfreeranginggoatsinasouthernafricansavanna AT sebataallan effectofleaftypeonbrowseselectionbyfreeranginggoatsinasouthernafricansavanna |