Broad spectrum of plant species grazed and browsed by cattle in Bolivian subtropical mountain forests
In Southern Bolivia, Department of Tarija, the suptropical Boliviano‐Tucumano mountain forests are used as winter grazing areas for cattle by local livestock keepers.When the dry season starts (April/ May),forage offer declines on the village‐near grassland areas where the cattle usually graze during the rainy season, and the cattle are moved to the mountain forests ( transhumance system) and stay there until the forage offer of the grasslands in the valleys increase again with the first rainfalls and higher temperatures at the beginning of the rainy season (Oct/Nov.) The subtropical forests provide forage even in the critical dry period and are therefore the only possibility for local smallholders to maintain their herds throughout the whole year.Little knowledge exists concerning the diet of the cattle in these mountain ecosystems.This study investigated plant species selection by cattle during the entire period of cattle grazing and browsing in the Boliviano‐Tucumano mountain forests.The results can help to reconcile livestock management and nature reserve conservation.
biodiversity Boliviano‐Tucumano Criollo subtropical mountain forest nature reserve
S.Marquardt H.Alzérreca S.Beck M.Kreuzer A.C.Mayer
ETH Zurich,Institute of Animal Science,Zurich,Switzerland Herbario Nacional de Bolivia,LaPaz,Bolivia ET H Zurich,Institute of Animal Science,Zurich,Switzerland
国际会议
呼和浩特
英文
2008-06-29（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）