Differential forage use between large native and domestic herbivores in Southern Patagonian Nothofagus forests

• Published in: Agroforestry systems Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 397 - 409
• Main Authors: Soler Esteban, Rosina, Martínez Pastur, Guillermo, Lencinas, María Vanessa, Borrelli, Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-07-2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Agroforestry; Animal populations; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bos taurus; Diets; Fecal coliforms; Feces; Feeding; Forage; Foraging behavior; Forest management; Forestry; Forests; Fruit trees; Habitat; Habitats; Herbivores; Lama guanicoe; Land use; Landscape; Life Sciences; Livestock; Nothofagus; Ovis aries; Plant species; Seedlings; Species composition; Patagonia; Argentina, Patagonia; Landscape analysis; Plant life forms; Forest management; Fecal micro-histological analysis; Browsing
• ISSN: 0167-4366; 1572-9680
• DOI: 10.1007/s10457-011-9430-3

Plant—animal interactions at the landscape level become particularly relevant when land use is diversified.
Nothofagus
forests in southern Patagonia have been used for timber and cattle grazing purposes during the last century, causing livestock to increase (
Bos taurus
and
Ovis aries
) and large native herbivores, such as guanaco (
Lama guanicoe
), either maintained or decreased their populations. Within this scenario, feeding interactions between guanaco and domestic herbivores were analysed in a mosaic of open habitats and different
Nothofagus
forest types and management histories, whereby a total of six habitat types were identified through satellite image analysis. A total of 205 floristic surveys were conducted to characterize the plant species composition at the landscape level. Diet composition of herbivores was assessed once each season during a year, using microhistological analysis of feces. Results showed higher plant richness in open lands and lower in closed, unmanaged forests. Overall, 43 plant taxa were detected in herbivore feces, which represent 56% of plant richness detected in the field. Both guanacos and domestic herbivores included mainly grasses in their diet, which were found predominantly in open lands. Tree seedlings and saplings were consumed by all herbivores, as well, except during winter. Differential forage use between guanaco and domestic herbivores in southern Patagonian
Nothofagus
forests did exist. However, competition for available resources among theses herbivores resulted in an alternation of feeding sites, which varied throughout the year. Management plans in southern Southern Patagonia (livestock, silvopastoral plans and timber harvesting) do not consider the direct or indirect consequences on guanaco populations. The challenge, therefore, is to generate management decisions to avoid either guanacos or domestic herbivores from becoming detrimental to the sustainability of managed forested ecosystems.