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Publications
Foraging
ecology and nutrition of Stone's Sheep
Abstract:
This
study compared the foraging behaviour and nutrition of Stone's
sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) which had access to burned range
to that of sheep on unburned range throughout the year. In
winter, sheep were restricted in low fecal nitrogen and DAPA
levels and high Protostrongylus spp. counts. In spring, sheep
used either natural or fire-induced subalpine clearings to
obtain early new plant growth. Forage quantity was much lower
on unburned ranges, but biting rate and foraging time were
the same as on burned ranges with high forage biomass. Quality
of available forage and food intake where also similar. Sheep
moved to higher elevations as the season progressed which
provided them with access to the higher quality alpine forage.
Regular use fo mineral licks in summer apparently staisfied
their sodium requirement. Lamb production was low following
severe winters, presumably due to poor nutrition. An explanation
for changes in lamb production based on density-dependent
selective feeding was developed. A model of nutrient intake
is developed to investigate the seasonal pattern of nutition
on burned and unburned ranges. |
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