Studies on the feeding strategy of grazing animals in the spatially heterogeneous vegetation

本研究对放牧动物在空间异质植被中的采食策略进行了一系列的研究，主要集中在斑块尺度上的放牧牛在热带草地上的采食.斑块选择放牧牛的斑块选择进行了研究，在小区包括2至9个补丁不同的再生期和施肥量。通过访视时和在贴剂中驻留期间的两阶段选择，动物被证明具有从许多提供的贴剂中识别首选贴剂的能力。咬尺寸和短期摄入率在牛放牧热带草地的咬尺寸和短期摄入率进行了量化和建模的草地高度和质量的关系。该模型可用于斑块选择的定量报酬估计.动物斑块选择模型的建立及选择奖励的确定利用野外数据建立了动物斑块选择模型。该模型具有足够的预测能力。斑块选择的质量奖励被确定为粗蛋白质浓度.动物之间的喂养策略的变化喂养位置的选择不同的动物。需要进一步的研究来评估这种动物间变异的生态意义，并将这种机制纳入到基于畜群的饲养模型中。

A series of studies were conducted on the feeding strategy of grazing animals foraging in the spatially heterogeneous vegetation, focusing mainly on the patch-scale feeding by cattle on tropical grass swards.1. Patch selectionPatch choice by grazing cattle was studied in plots comprising two to nine patches differing in regrowth period and fertilizer rate. The animals were shown to have an ability to identify preferred patches from many offered patches, through the two-stage selections at the visit and during the residence in patches.2. Bite dimensions and short-term intake rateBite dimensions and short-term intake rate in cattle grazing tropical grass swards were quantified and modeled in relation to sward height and mass. This model can be used for estimating the quantitative reward of patch selection.3. Modeling patch selection by animal and identifying the reward of selectionA model of patch selection by animal was developed using field data. The model was shown to have sufficient predictive ability. The qualitative reward of patch selection was identified as crude protein concentration.4. Animal-to-animal variation in feeding strategy Selection of feeding location varied from animal to animal. Further studies are needed to evaluate the ecological meaning of such animal-to-animal variation and to incorporate this mechanism into a feeding model on a herd basis.