Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Cattle Habitat use in a Mountain Wooded Pasture

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Landscape Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Management-oriented models of cattle habitat use often treat grazing pressure as a single variable summarizing all cattle activities. This paper addresses the following questions: How does the spatial pattern of cattle effects vary between cattle activities in a highly heterogeneous landscape? Do these patterns change over the grazing season as forage availability decreases? What are the respective roles of natural and management-introduced structures? We estimated the intensity of herbage removal, dung deposition and trampling after each of three grazing periods on a grid of 25 m ×25 m cells covering an entire paddock in the Swiss Jura Mountains. We found no significant positive correlations between cattle effects. Spatial patterns weakened through the season for grazing and trampling, whereas dunging patterns changed little between grazing periods. Redundancy analysis showed that different cattle effects were correlated with different environmental variables and that the importance of management-introduced variables was highest for herbage removal. Autocorrelograms and partial redundancy analyses using principal coordinates of neighbour matrices suggested that dunging patterns were more coarse-grained than the others. Systematic differences in the spatial and seasonal patterns of cattle effects may result in complex interactions with vegetation involving feedback effects through nutrient shift, with strong implications for ecosystem management. In heterogeneous environments, such as pasture-woodland landscapes, spatially explicit models of vegetation dynamics need to model cattle effects separately.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • D.M. Anderson M.M. Kothmann (1980) ArticleTitleRelationship of distance traveled with diet and weather for hereford heifers J. Range Manage. 33 217–220

    Google Scholar 

  • D.W. Bailey J.E. Gross E.A. Laca L.R. Rittenhouse M.B. Coughenour D.M. Swift P.L. Sims (1996) ArticleTitleMechanisms that result in large herbivore grazing distribution patterns J. Range Manage. 49 386–400

    Google Scholar 

  • D.W. Bailey D.D. Kress D.C. Anderson D.L. Boss E.T. Miller (2001) ArticleTitleRelationships between terrain use and performance of beef cows grazing foothill rangeland J. Animal Sci. 79 1883–1891 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlsVCjt7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Borcard P. Legendre P. Drapeau (1992) ArticleTitlePartialling out the spatial components of ecological variation Ecology 73 1045–1055

    Google Scholar 

  • Borcard D. and Legendre P. 2001. SpaceMaker Program. Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, URL http://www.fas.umontreal.ca/BIOL/legendre/.

  • D. Borcard P. Legendre (2002) ArticleTitleAll-scale spatial analysis of ecological data by means of principal coordinates of neighbour matrices Ecol. Model. 153 51–68 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3800(01)00501-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. Borcard P. Legendre C. Avois-Jacquet H. Tuomisto (2004) ArticleTitleDissecting the spatial structure of ecological data at multiple scales Ecology 85 1826–1832

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Brind’Amour D. Boisclair P. Legendre D. Borcard (2005) ArticleTitleMultiscale spatial distribution of a littoral fish community in relation to environmental variables Limnol. Oceanogr. 50 465–479

    Google Scholar 

  • C.W. Cook (1966) ArticleTitleFactors affecting utilization of mountain slopes by cattle J. Range Manage. 19 200–204

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Costa E. Mosimann C. Zagni (1990) ArticleTitleEffet de la présence nocturne au pâturage sur les performances d’un troupeau laitier et sur ses restitutions à l’alpage Fourrages 123 305–311

    Google Scholar 

  • M.B. Coughenour (1991) ArticleTitleSpatial components of plant–herbivore interactions in pastoral, ranching, and native ungulate ecosystems J. Range Manage. 44 530–542

    Google Scholar 

  • S.A.O. Cousins S. Lavorel I. Davies (2003) ArticleTitleModelling the effects of landscape pattern and grazing regimes on the persistence of plant species with high conservation value in grasslands in south-eastern Sweden Landscape Ecol. 18 315–332 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024400913488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Deckers F.O. Nachtergaele O.C. Spaargaren (Eds) (1998) World Reference Base for Soil Resources: Introduction Publishing Company Acco Leuven, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • J.L. Dungan J.N. Perry M.R.T. Dale P. Legendre S. Citron-Pousty M.J. Fortin A. Jakomulska M. Miriti M.S. Rosenberg (2002) ArticleTitleA balanced view of scale in spatial statistical analysis Ecography 25 626–640 Occurrence Handle10.1034/j.1600-0587.2002.250510.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Dutilleul (1993) ArticleTitleModifying the t test for assessing the correlation between two spatial processes Biometrics 49 305–314

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Etienne (1996) Western European Silvopastoral Systems INRA Editions Paris, France

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Gander A. Rockmann C. Strehler S. Güsewell (2003) ArticleTitleHabitat use by Scottish Highland cattle in a lakeshore wetland Bull. Geobot. Inst. ETH 69 3–13

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Gillet O. Besson J.M. Gobat (2002) ArticleTitlePATUMOD: a compartment model of vegetation dynamics in wooded pastures Ecol. Model. 187 267–290

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Gillet J.D. Gallandat (1996) ArticleTitleIntegrated synusial phytosociology: some notes on a new, multiscalar approach to vegetation analysis J. Veg. Sci. 7 13–18

    Google Scholar 

  • B.D. Hahn F.D. Richardson A.M. Starfield (1999) ArticleTitleFrame-based modelling as a method of simulating rangeland production systems in the long term Agricult. Syst. 62 29–49

    Google Scholar 

  • R.H. Hart J. Bissio M.J. Samuel J.W. Waggoner (1993) ArticleTitleGrazing systems, pasture sizeand cattle grazing behaviordistribution and gains J. Range Manage. 46 81–87

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Havlicek J.M. Gobat (1996) ArticleTitleLes apports éoliens dans les sols du Jura: état des connaissances et nouvelles données en pâturages boisés Etude et Gestion des Sols 3 167–178

    Google Scholar 

  • A.J. Hester G.J. Baillie (1998) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal patterns of heather use by sheep and red deer within natural heather/grass mosaics J. Appl. Ecol. 35 772–784

    Google Scholar 

  • D.E. Jelinski J. Wu (1996) ArticleTitleThe modifiable areal unit problem and implications for landscape ecology Landscape Ecol. 11 129–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Jewell P. 2002. Impact of cattle grazing upon vegetation of an Alpine pasture. Ph.D. Thesis. ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland, 304 pp.

  • F. Kohler F. Gillet J.-M. Gobat A. Buttler (2004) ArticleTitleSeasonal vegetation changes in mountain pastures due to simulated effects of cattle activity J. Veg. Sci. 15 143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Legendre (1993) ArticleTitleSpatial autocorrelation: trouble or new paradigm? Ecology 74 1659–1673

    Google Scholar 

  • Legendre P. 2001. Program Mod_t_test. Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal.URL http://www.fas.umontreal.ca/BIOL/legendre/.

  • P. Legendre L. Legendre (1998) Numerical Ecology, 2nd English edition Elsevier Science BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Marsh R.C. Campling (1970) ArticleTitleFouling of pastures by dung Herbage Abstracts 40 123–130

    Google Scholar 

  • M.B. McGechan C.F.E. Topp (2004) ArticleTitleModelling environmental impacts of deposition of excreted nitrogen by grazing dairy cows Agricult. Ecosyst. Environ. 103 149–164 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjvVelsLc%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R.F. Miller W.C. Krueger (1976) ArticleTitleCattle use on summer foothill rangelands in Northeastern Oregon J. Range. Manage. 29 367–371

    Google Scholar 

  • F.M. Mitlohner J.L. Morrow J.W. Dailey S.C. Wilson M.L. Galyean M.F. Miller J.J. McGlone (2001) ArticleTitleShade and water misting effects on behaviorphysiology, performanceand carcass traits of heat-stressed feedlot cattle J. Animal Sci. 79 2327–2335 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXntFWitr4%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R.H. Økland O. Eilertsen (1994) ArticleTitleCanonical correspondence analysis with variation partitioning: some comments and an application J. Veg. Sci. 5 117–126

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Olff M.E. Ritchie (1998) ArticleTitleEffects of herbivores on grassland plant diversity Trends Ecol. Evol. 13 261–265 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0169-5347(98)01364-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.O. Osuji (1974) ArticleTitleThe physiology of eating and the energy expenditure of the ruminant at pasture J. Range Manage. 27 437–443

    Google Scholar 

  • M.K. Owens K.L. Launchbaugh J.W. Holloway (1991) ArticleTitlePasture characteristics affecting spatial-distribution of utilization by cattle in mixed brush communities J. Range Manage. 44 118–123

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Perrenoud U. Känzig-Schoch O. Schneider O. Wettstein (2003) Exploitation durable des pâturages boisés Editions Haupt Zürich, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • R.G. Petersen H.L. Lucas W.W. Woodhouse (1956) ArticleTitleThe distribution of excreta by freely grazing cattle and its effect on pasture fertility. I. Excretal distribution Agron. J. 48 440–444

    Google Scholar 

  • P.R. Peterson J.R. Gerrish (1996) Grazing systems and spatial distribution of nutrients in pastures: livestock management considerations R.E. Joost C.A. Roberts (Eds) Nutrient Cycling in Forage Systems Potash and Phosphate Institute and the Foundation for Agronomy Research Manhattan, Kansas, USA 203–212

    Google Scholar 

  • R.A. Peterson E.J. Woolfolk (1955) ArticleTitleBehavior of hereford cows and calves on short grass range J. Range Manage. 8 51–57

    Google Scholar 

  • W.E. Pinchak M.A. Smith R.H. Hart J.W. Waggoner (1991) ArticleTitleBeef-cattle distribution patterns on foothill range J. Range Manage. 44 267–275

    Google Scholar 

  • R.M. Pratt R.J. Putman J.R. Ekins P.J. Edwards (1986) ArticleTitleUse of habitat by free-ranging cattle and ponies in the New ForestSouthern England J. Appl. Ecol. 23 539–557

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Putman R.M. Pratt J.R. Ekins P.J. Edwards (1987) ArticleTitleFood and feeding-behavior of cattle and ponies in the New ForestHampshire J. Appl. Ecol. 24 369–380

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team. 2004. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, ViennaAustria. URL http://www. R-project.org.

  • R.W. Rice M.D. MacNeil T.G. Jenkins L.J. Koong (1983) Simulation of the herbage/animal interface of grazioso land W.K. Lauenroth G.V. Skogerboe M. Flug (Eds) Analysis of Ecological Systems: State-of-the-Art in Ecological Modeling. Developments in Ecological Modelling 5. Elsevier Amsterdam, The Netherlands 475–488

    Google Scholar 

  • L.R. Roath W.C. Krueger (1982) ArticleTitleCattle grazing and behavior on a forested range J. Range Manage. 35 332–338

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Roovers K. Verheyen M. Hermy H. Gulink (2004) ArticleTitleExperimental trampling and vegetation recovery in some forest and heathland communities Appl. Veg. Sci. 7 111–118

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Schutz A.C. Risch E. Leuzinger B.O. Krusi G. Achermann (2003) ArticleTitleImpact of herbivory by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on patterns and processes in subalpine grasslands in the Swiss National Park Forest Ecol. Manage. 181 177–188

    Google Scholar 

  • R.L. Senft M.B. Coughenour D.W. Bailey L.R. Rittenhouse O.E. Sala D.M. Swift (1987) ArticleTitleLarge herbivore foraging and ecological hierarchies BioScience 37 789–797

    Google Scholar 

  • R.L. Senft L.R. Rittenhouse R.G. Woodmansee (1985) ArticleTitleFactors influencing patterns of cattle grazing behavior on shortgrass steppe J. Range Manage. 38 82–87

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Shiyomi M. Tsuiki (1999) ArticleTitleModel for the spatial pattern formed by a small herd in grazing cattle Ecol. Model. 119 231–238 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3800(99)00059-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K.W. Tate E.R. Atwill N.K. McDougald M.R. George (2003) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal patterns of cattle feces deposition on rangeland J. Range Manage. 56 432–438

    Google Scholar 

  • C.J.F. ter Braak P. Smilauer (2002) CANOCO Reference Manual and CanoDraw for Windows User's Guide: Software for Canonical Community Ordination (version 4.5) Microcomputer Power Ithaca, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • C.M. Thompson K. McGarigal (2002) ArticleTitleThe influence of research scale on bald eagle habitat selection along the lower Hudson RiverNew York (USA) Landscape Ecol. 17 569–586 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1021501231182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.G. Turner (1989) ArticleTitleLandscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process Annu. Rev. Ecol. System. 20 171–197

    Google Scholar 

  • M.G. Turner R.H. Gardner R.V. O’Neill (2001) Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice: Pattern and Process Springer-Verlag New York, NY, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Oene ParticleVan E.J.M. Deursen ParticleVan F. Berendse (1999) ArticleTitlePlant–herbivores interaction and its consequences for succession in wetland ecosystems: a modelling approach Ecosystems 2 122–138 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s100219900064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H. Rees ParticleVan G.D. Hutson (1983) ArticleTitleThe behavior of free-ranging cattle on an alpine range in Australia J. Range Manage. 36 740–743

    Google Scholar 

  • Verweij P.A. 1995. Spatial and temporal modelling of vegetation patterns. Burning and grazing in the paramo of Los Nevados National Park, Colombia. Ph.D. Thesis. International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation: Enschede, The Netherlands, 234 pp.

  • G.E. Weber F. Jeltsch N. Rooyen ParticleVan S.J. Milton (1998) ArticleTitleSimulated long-term vegetation response to grazing heterogeneity in semi-arid rangelands J. Appl. Ecol. 35 687–699

    Google Scholar 

  • S.L. White R.E. Sheffield S.P. Washburn L.D. King J.T. Green (2001) ArticleTitleSpatial and time distribution of dairy cattle excreta in an intensive pasture system J. Environ. Qual. 30 2180–2187 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xht1Slt70%3D Occurrence Handle11790030

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Wiens (1989) ArticleTitleSpatial scaling in ecology Funct. Ecol. 3 385–397

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Wu (2004) ArticleTitleEffects of changing scale on landscape pattern analysis: scaling relations Landscape Ecol. 19 125–138 Occurrence Handle10.1023/B:LAND.0000021711.40074.ae

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Wu J.L. David (2002) ArticleTitleA spatially explicit hierarchical approach to modelling complex ecological systems: theory and applications Ecol. Model. 153 7–26

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Wu R. Hobbs (2002) ArticleTitleKey issues and research priorities in landscape ecology: an idiosyncratic synthesis Landscape Ecol. 17 355–365

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. François Gillet

    Present address: EPFL-ENAC-ISTE-ECOS, Ecublens Station 2, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Plant Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, 2007, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Florian Kohler, François Gillet, Stéphanie Reust, Fawziah Gadallah & Jean-Michel Gobat

  2. WSL, Swiss Federal Research Institute, Antenne romande, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Florian Kohler, François Gillet & Alexandre Buttler

  3. EPFL, Laboratory of Ecological Systems, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    François Gillet & Alexandre Buttler

  4. WSL, Swiss Federal Research Institute, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Helene H. Wagner

Authors
  1. Florian Kohler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. François Gillet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stéphanie Reust
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Helene H. Wagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fawziah Gadallah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jean-Michel Gobat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Alexandre Buttler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to François Gillet.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kohler, F., Gillet, F., Reust, S. et al. Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Cattle Habitat use in a Mountain Wooded Pasture. Landscape Ecol 21, 281–295 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-0144-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-005-0144-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation