Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep

Autores
Distel, Roberto Alejandro; Soca, P. M.; Demment, M. W.; Laca, E. A.
Año de publicación
2004
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Undesirable grazing distribution results in land degradation and inefficient forage utilization. Rewards like food supplements have been commonly provided at predictable times and locations in the less preferred areas in order to improve grazing distribution. The problem with this approach is the generation of search patterns that are concentrated at certain times and locations, causing either overgrazing of new areas or the rapid return of the animals to the most preferred areas. Our model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement proposes that rewards that are unpredictable in space and time should promote search patterns that are extended in space and time. In order to test predictions from the model, we studied how the spatial–temporal arrangement of supplementation influenced selection of feeding sites by sheep on a grass-legume pasture. Each experimental plot had a fertilized and an unfertilized side (8 m × 16 m each) either adjacent (Trial 1) or separated by an alley (1 m × 32 m) (Trial 2). In both trials groups of three ewes were randomly assigned to each of four treatments resulting from the combination of two spatial and two temporal arrangements of supplementation in the unfertilized side of the pasture. All treatments received the same amount and type of supplement (500 g alfalfa/corn pellets per ewe per day). There were two repetitions per treatment. Animal positions were recorded every 2 min during 2 h daily grazing sessions for 12 (Trial 1) or eight (Trial 2) consecutive days. The response variable was the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture. In Trial 1 neither treatment effects nor the interaction treatment by day was significant (P > 0.05). In Trial 2, the random spatial and/or temporal arrangements of supplementation tended to increase the occupation of the unfertilized side of the pasture by sheep. The differences among treatments were larger at the beginning of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively higher than towards the end of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively lower. In both trials the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture decreased (P < 0.01) as the daily grazing session progressed from the first half hour to the second half hour to the last hour. Our results raise some interesting possibilities that warrant future tests of the model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement to modify selection of feeding sites by free grazing animals.
Fil: Distel, Roberto Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina
Fil: Soca, P. M.. Facultad de Agronomía ; Uruguay
Fil: Demment, M. W.. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
Fil: Laca, E. A.. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
Materia
Sheep
Grazing Behaviour
Spatial Distribution
Conditioning Techniques
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/33967

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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheepDistel, Roberto AlejandroSoca, P. M.Demment, M. W.Laca, E. A.SheepGrazing BehaviourSpatial DistributionConditioning Techniqueshttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.2https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4Undesirable grazing distribution results in land degradation and inefficient forage utilization. Rewards like food supplements have been commonly provided at predictable times and locations in the less preferred areas in order to improve grazing distribution. The problem with this approach is the generation of search patterns that are concentrated at certain times and locations, causing either overgrazing of new areas or the rapid return of the animals to the most preferred areas. Our model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement proposes that rewards that are unpredictable in space and time should promote search patterns that are extended in space and time. In order to test predictions from the model, we studied how the spatial–temporal arrangement of supplementation influenced selection of feeding sites by sheep on a grass-legume pasture. Each experimental plot had a fertilized and an unfertilized side (8 m × 16 m each) either adjacent (Trial 1) or separated by an alley (1 m × 32 m) (Trial 2). In both trials groups of three ewes were randomly assigned to each of four treatments resulting from the combination of two spatial and two temporal arrangements of supplementation in the unfertilized side of the pasture. All treatments received the same amount and type of supplement (500 g alfalfa/corn pellets per ewe per day). There were two repetitions per treatment. Animal positions were recorded every 2 min during 2 h daily grazing sessions for 12 (Trial 1) or eight (Trial 2) consecutive days. The response variable was the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture. In Trial 1 neither treatment effects nor the interaction treatment by day was significant (P > 0.05). In Trial 2, the random spatial and/or temporal arrangements of supplementation tended to increase the occupation of the unfertilized side of the pasture by sheep. The differences among treatments were larger at the beginning of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively higher than towards the end of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively lower. In both trials the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture decreased (P < 0.01) as the daily grazing session progressed from the first half hour to the second half hour to the last hour. Our results raise some interesting possibilities that warrant future tests of the model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement to modify selection of feeding sites by free grazing animals.Fil: Distel, Roberto Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Soca, P. M.. Facultad de Agronomía ; UruguayFil: Demment, M. W.. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Laca, E. A.. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosElsevier Science2004-11info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/33967Distel, Roberto Alejandro; Soca, P. M.; Demment, M. W.; Laca, E. A.; Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep; Elsevier Science; Applied Animal Behaviour Science; 89; 1-2; 11-2004; 59-700168-1591CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815910400108Xinfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/j.applanim.2004.04.006info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-09-29T09:44:41Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/33967instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-09-29 09:44:41.366CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
title Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
spellingShingle Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
Distel, Roberto Alejandro
Sheep
Grazing Behaviour
Spatial Distribution
Conditioning Techniques
title_short Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
title_full Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
title_fullStr Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
title_full_unstemmed Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
title_sort Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Distel, Roberto Alejandro
Soca, P. M.
Demment, M. W.
Laca, E. A.
author Distel, Roberto Alejandro
author_facet Distel, Roberto Alejandro
Soca, P. M.
Demment, M. W.
Laca, E. A.
author_role author
author2 Soca, P. M.
Demment, M. W.
Laca, E. A.
author2_role author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Sheep
Grazing Behaviour
Spatial Distribution
Conditioning Techniques
topic Sheep
Grazing Behaviour
Spatial Distribution
Conditioning Techniques
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.2
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Undesirable grazing distribution results in land degradation and inefficient forage utilization. Rewards like food supplements have been commonly provided at predictable times and locations in the less preferred areas in order to improve grazing distribution. The problem with this approach is the generation of search patterns that are concentrated at certain times and locations, causing either overgrazing of new areas or the rapid return of the animals to the most preferred areas. Our model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement proposes that rewards that are unpredictable in space and time should promote search patterns that are extended in space and time. In order to test predictions from the model, we studied how the spatial–temporal arrangement of supplementation influenced selection of feeding sites by sheep on a grass-legume pasture. Each experimental plot had a fertilized and an unfertilized side (8 m × 16 m each) either adjacent (Trial 1) or separated by an alley (1 m × 32 m) (Trial 2). In both trials groups of three ewes were randomly assigned to each of four treatments resulting from the combination of two spatial and two temporal arrangements of supplementation in the unfertilized side of the pasture. All treatments received the same amount and type of supplement (500 g alfalfa/corn pellets per ewe per day). There were two repetitions per treatment. Animal positions were recorded every 2 min during 2 h daily grazing sessions for 12 (Trial 1) or eight (Trial 2) consecutive days. The response variable was the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture. In Trial 1 neither treatment effects nor the interaction treatment by day was significant (P > 0.05). In Trial 2, the random spatial and/or temporal arrangements of supplementation tended to increase the occupation of the unfertilized side of the pasture by sheep. The differences among treatments were larger at the beginning of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively higher than towards the end of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively lower. In both trials the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture decreased (P < 0.01) as the daily grazing session progressed from the first half hour to the second half hour to the last hour. Our results raise some interesting possibilities that warrant future tests of the model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement to modify selection of feeding sites by free grazing animals.
Fil: Distel, Roberto Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina
Fil: Soca, P. M.. Facultad de Agronomía ; Uruguay
Fil: Demment, M. W.. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
Fil: Laca, E. A.. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
description Undesirable grazing distribution results in land degradation and inefficient forage utilization. Rewards like food supplements have been commonly provided at predictable times and locations in the less preferred areas in order to improve grazing distribution. The problem with this approach is the generation of search patterns that are concentrated at certain times and locations, causing either overgrazing of new areas or the rapid return of the animals to the most preferred areas. Our model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement proposes that rewards that are unpredictable in space and time should promote search patterns that are extended in space and time. In order to test predictions from the model, we studied how the spatial–temporal arrangement of supplementation influenced selection of feeding sites by sheep on a grass-legume pasture. Each experimental plot had a fertilized and an unfertilized side (8 m × 16 m each) either adjacent (Trial 1) or separated by an alley (1 m × 32 m) (Trial 2). In both trials groups of three ewes were randomly assigned to each of four treatments resulting from the combination of two spatial and two temporal arrangements of supplementation in the unfertilized side of the pasture. All treatments received the same amount and type of supplement (500 g alfalfa/corn pellets per ewe per day). There were two repetitions per treatment. Animal positions were recorded every 2 min during 2 h daily grazing sessions for 12 (Trial 1) or eight (Trial 2) consecutive days. The response variable was the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture. In Trial 1 neither treatment effects nor the interaction treatment by day was significant (P > 0.05). In Trial 2, the random spatial and/or temporal arrangements of supplementation tended to increase the occupation of the unfertilized side of the pasture by sheep. The differences among treatments were larger at the beginning of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively higher than towards the end of the trial, when the availability of forage was relatively lower. In both trials the proportion of time spent on the unfertilized side of the pasture decreased (P < 0.01) as the daily grazing session progressed from the first half hour to the second half hour to the last hour. Our results raise some interesting possibilities that warrant future tests of the model of spatial–temporal schedule of reinforcement to modify selection of feeding sites by free grazing animals.
publishDate 2004
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2004-11
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/33967
Distel, Roberto Alejandro; Soca, P. M.; Demment, M. W.; Laca, E. A.; Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep; Elsevier Science; Applied Animal Behaviour Science; 89; 1-2; 11-2004; 59-70
0168-1591
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/33967
identifier_str_mv Distel, Roberto Alejandro; Soca, P. M.; Demment, M. W.; Laca, E. A.; Spatial–temporal arrangements of supplementation to modify selection of feeding sites by sheep; Elsevier Science; Applied Animal Behaviour Science; 89; 1-2; 11-2004; 59-70
0168-1591
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815910400108X
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/j.applanim.2004.04.006
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier Science
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier Science
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
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instname_str Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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