Forage production and small ruminant grazing responses in Mediterranean shrublands as influenced by the reduction of shrub cover

摘要: Reduction of shrub cover in Mediterranean shrublands is considered as a method optimising forage and animal production. In this study, production grazed protected plots grazing responses small ruminants cleared (25% cover), slashed (34% cover) not treated (control, 55% kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) were compared during the spring seasons 1992, 1993 1994. The alterations density done October 1991 pastures remained ungrazed until 1992. Clearing slashing vegetation resulted higher amounts available herbaceous useable browse. At end growing season, averaged across years, biomass was generally two to three times than control; also, browse slightly less (1,078 vs 1,533 kg/ha) but easily accessible because open structure lower height sprouting shrubs. There no response differences between pastures. However, animals (sheep goats) had bite rate (bites/min; P ⩽ 0.05) control. Levels crude protein selected by (P Animals improved maintained diets that significantly more digestible (53.5%) those control pasture (48.5%). Neutral detergent fibre lignin contents similar It concluded removing woody results increased (available herbage browse) quality availability for ruminants.