Date of Award:

5-1983

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Department name when degree awarded

Range Science

Committee Chair(s)

John C. Malecheck

Committee

John C. Malecheck

Committee

John Butcher

Committee

John P. Workman

Abstract

A quantitative description of the foraging process is necessary for effective planning and execution of intensive grazing schemes. Foraging behavior is defined as having two components: feeding and moving. At intervals the foraging animal walks a number of steps searching for food and then pauses to feed at a new position here termed a feeding station. Five behavioral variables were analyzed under this framework: 1) time spent at a feed ing station; 2) number of bites at a feeding station; 3) steps taken between stations; 4) rate of steps; and 5) foraging time. The experimental design consisted of grazing small adjacent, approximately 7-ha paddocks for periods lasting 8 days. Animals significantly (P

Checksum

9c445cc10e02a424d70e15f1ac8dd5de

Share

COinS