Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake
Recent models suggest that herbivores optimize nutrient intake by selecting patches of low to intermediate vegetation biomass. We assessed the application of this hypothesis to plains bison (Bison bison) in an experimental grassland managed with fire by estimating daily rates of nutrient intake in r...
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ftunivnebraskali:oai:digitalcommons.unl.edu:natrespapers-1584 2023-11-12T04:28:13+01:00 Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake Raynor, Edward J. Joern, Anthony Nippert, Jesse B. Briggs, John M. 2016-01-01T08:00:00Z application/pdf https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natrespapers/578 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/natrespapers/article/1584/viewcontent/Raynor_EE_2016_Foraging_decisions.pdf unknown DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natrespapers/578 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/natrespapers/article/1584/viewcontent/Raynor_EE_2016_Foraging_decisions.pdf Papers in Natural Resources Ecosystem interactions fire grazing Konza Prairie Biological Station mesic tallgrass prairie patch selection stable isotope Environmental Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Natural Resources Management and Policy Other Environmental Sciences text 2016 ftunivnebraskali 2023-10-30T11:28:39Z Recent models suggest that herbivores optimize nutrient intake by selecting patches of low to intermediate vegetation biomass. We assessed the application of this hypothesis to plains bison (Bison bison) in an experimental grassland managed with fire by estimating daily rates of nutrient intake in relation to grass biomass and by measuring patch selection in experimental watersheds in which grass biomass was manipulated by prescribed burning. Digestible crude protein content of grass declined linearly with increasing biomass, and the mean digestible protein content relative to grass biomass was greater in burned watersheds than watersheds not burned that spring (intercept; F1,251 = 50.57, P < 0.0001). Linking these values to published functional response parameters, ad libitum protein intake, and protein expenditure parameters, Fryxell’s (Am. Nat., 1991, 138, 478) model predicted that the daily rate of protein intake should be highest when bison feed in grasslands with 400–600 kg/ha. In burned grassland sites, where bison spend most of their time, availability of grass biomass ranged between 40 and 3650 kg/ha, bison selected foraging areas of roughly 690 kg/ha, close to the value for protein intake maximization predicted by the model. The seasonal net protein intake predicted for large grazers in this study suggest feeding in burned grassland can be more beneficial for nutrient uptake relative to unburned grassland as long as grass regrowth is possible. Foraging site selection for grass patches of low to intermediate biomass help explain patterns of uniform space use reported previously for large grazers in fire-prone systems. Text Bison bison bison Plains Bison University of Nebraska-Lincoln: DigitalCommons@UNL |
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Open Polar |
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln: DigitalCommons@UNL |
op_collection_id |
ftunivnebraskali |
language |
unknown |
topic |
Ecosystem interactions fire grazing Konza Prairie Biological Station mesic tallgrass prairie patch selection stable isotope Environmental Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Natural Resources Management and Policy Other Environmental Sciences |
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Ecosystem interactions fire grazing Konza Prairie Biological Station mesic tallgrass prairie patch selection stable isotope Environmental Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Natural Resources Management and Policy Other Environmental Sciences Raynor, Edward J. Joern, Anthony Nippert, Jesse B. Briggs, John M. Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
topic_facet |
Ecosystem interactions fire grazing Konza Prairie Biological Station mesic tallgrass prairie patch selection stable isotope Environmental Sciences Natural Resources and Conservation Natural Resources Management and Policy Other Environmental Sciences |
description |
Recent models suggest that herbivores optimize nutrient intake by selecting patches of low to intermediate vegetation biomass. We assessed the application of this hypothesis to plains bison (Bison bison) in an experimental grassland managed with fire by estimating daily rates of nutrient intake in relation to grass biomass and by measuring patch selection in experimental watersheds in which grass biomass was manipulated by prescribed burning. Digestible crude protein content of grass declined linearly with increasing biomass, and the mean digestible protein content relative to grass biomass was greater in burned watersheds than watersheds not burned that spring (intercept; F1,251 = 50.57, P < 0.0001). Linking these values to published functional response parameters, ad libitum protein intake, and protein expenditure parameters, Fryxell’s (Am. Nat., 1991, 138, 478) model predicted that the daily rate of protein intake should be highest when bison feed in grasslands with 400–600 kg/ha. In burned grassland sites, where bison spend most of their time, availability of grass biomass ranged between 40 and 3650 kg/ha, bison selected foraging areas of roughly 690 kg/ha, close to the value for protein intake maximization predicted by the model. The seasonal net protein intake predicted for large grazers in this study suggest feeding in burned grassland can be more beneficial for nutrient uptake relative to unburned grassland as long as grass regrowth is possible. Foraging site selection for grass patches of low to intermediate biomass help explain patterns of uniform space use reported previously for large grazers in fire-prone systems. |
format |
Text |
author |
Raynor, Edward J. Joern, Anthony Nippert, Jesse B. Briggs, John M. |
author_facet |
Raynor, Edward J. Joern, Anthony Nippert, Jesse B. Briggs, John M. |
author_sort |
Raynor, Edward J. |
title |
Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
title_short |
Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
title_full |
Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
title_fullStr |
Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
title_full_unstemmed |
Foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
title_sort |
foraging decisions underlying restricted space use: effects of fire and forage maturation on large herbivore nutrient uptake |
publisher |
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
publishDate |
2016 |
url |
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natrespapers/578 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/natrespapers/article/1584/viewcontent/Raynor_EE_2016_Foraging_decisions.pdf |
genre |
Bison bison bison Plains Bison |
genre_facet |
Bison bison bison Plains Bison |
op_source |
Papers in Natural Resources |
op_relation |
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natrespapers/578 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/natrespapers/article/1584/viewcontent/Raynor_EE_2016_Foraging_decisions.pdf |
_version_ |
1782341491825311744 |