Habitat selection by cattle in Foothill landscapes following variable harvest of aspen forest
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- 作者：Jillian Kaufmann ; Edward W. Bork ; Michael J. Alex ; er ; Peter V. Blenis
- 关键词：Cattle stocking ; GPS ; Livestock behavior ; Logging debris ; P. tremuloides ; Sapling density
- 刊名：Forest Ecology and Management
- 出版年：2013
- 出版时间：15 October, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：306
- 期：Complete
- 页码：15-22
- 全文大小：429 K
文摘
Logging of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forests on public grazing land in west central Alberta creates a mosaic of habitat types that may alter cattle (Bos taurus) use of these landscapes. We used an extensive network of field plots and global positioning system (GPS) collars deployed on cattle within four experimental pastures, each containing a mix of uncut forest, clear cut forest, partially harvested areas, and in-block haul roads, to examine habitat preferences during mid-summer grazing in 2008 and 2009. We also examined the effect of two cattle stocking rates the first year. Although cattle removed similar amounts of forage in all habitats, GPS data indicated cattle spent more time in uncut forests, and avoided clear cuts and in-block haul roads during both years, patterns that remained consistent under either livestock stocking rate tested. Observed patterns of habitat use were attributed to conservative cattle stocking rates consistent with or greater than those allocated on publicly grazed forest land in Alberta, combined with specific habitat attributes. Preferred use of uncut forest was attributed in part to favorable forage quality, which was positively associated with cattle utilization (standardized ¦Â = +0.13) among plots. Although forage use by cattle of plots also increased with forage biomass (¦Â = +0.33), sharp increases in biomass following clear cut logging appeared to be offset by reductions in forage use associated with increased slash cover (¦Â = ?0.12) and sapling density (¦Â = ?0.11), both of which may have impeded cattle access. As a result, forage removal remained similar among habitats. Finally, cattle use of forage decreased with increasing distance from water (¦Â = ?0.22), highlighting the importance of ensuring reliable access to water across forested pastures to prevent localized overuse. Overall, the reduced time cattle spent in clear cut habitats coupled with similar forage removal suggests that under low cattle stocking rates, grazing can be compatible with deciduous forest management in the region.