Grazing behavior, forage selection and diet composition of goats in a Mediterranean woody rangeland

The grazing behavior and the diet selection of goats are affected by numerous factors associated with animal characteristics, climate conditions and rangeland features as well as their interactions. Moreover, the special feeding behavior of goats due to their particular anatomic and physiologic characteristics, allow them to be highly selective, to consume lignified forages and to utilize woody plant species. The study of above traits is of great interest especially when goats browse in a complex Mediterranean environment with high seasonal changes. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the grazing behavior, the forage selection and the diet composition of goats browsing in a Mediterranean woody rangeland of Northern Greece. Grazing behavioral data were recorded using the direct observation method of a flock of local breed goats and the measurements were performed during three seasons (spring, summer and autumn) for two consecutive years. The purpose was to evaluate the seasonal differences taking into account not only the different seasons but also the different climate parameters within the two years. According to the results, Quercus frainetto was the most important part of the diet of goats despite the fact that they were able to utilize various nutritive resources such as herbaceous species and acorns. Goat is a particular versatile herbivore that is well adapted to the seasonality of complex Mediterranean landscape. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.