Foraging selectivity of co-grazing cattle and sheep varies differently with plant diversity

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2024-11, Vol.370, p.122593, Article 122593
• Main Authors: Xu, Man, Zhang, Yu, Zhou, Yipeng, Wang, Shengnan, Xiao, Yingli, Feng, Xinyue, Wang, Ling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biodiversity; Cattle; Diet selection; Feeding Behavior; Grassland; Grassland management; Habitat change; Herbivory; Large herbivores; Plant-animal interactions; Plants; Sheep
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122593

Foraging selectivity by domestic herbivores is a critical factor affecting plant community structure and functioning of rangeland. However, there is rather limited knowledge of whether and how foraging selectivity of different herbivore species varies with plant diversity. Here, we experimentally investigated the foraging selectivity of co-grazing cattle and sheep across 15 plots with varying plant diversity gradients in a meadow steppe. The results showed that the foraging selectivity of sheep significantly increased with increased plant diversity, while that of cattle did not change. This effect was still present after accounting for the effect of plant community protein. Increased plant diversity also resulted in more traveling steps for sheep, but had no effect on cattle. Further, the foraging selectivity of sheep was stronger than that of cattle at higher plant diversity levels, but weaker at lower diversity levels. Our results indicate that sheep and cattle can have completely different impacts on grassland plant communities and dynamics, depending on the context of plant diversity, due to their distinct and varying foraging selectivity. Sheep behave more sensitively to changes in plant diversity. We thus suggest that sheep should be used with caution on grasslands with high plant diversity due to strong diet selectivity. Instead, cattle, with stable behaviors, should be a relatively conservative management tool to conserve plant diversity. [Display omitted] •Plant diversity increased foraging selectivity of sheep, but did not affect cattle.•Increased plant diversity resulted in more traveling steps for sheep.•Foraging selectivity of sheep was stronger than cattle at higher plant diversity.•Cattle should be a conservative management tool to conserve plant diversity.