Shrub vegetation consumption by goats in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Domestic ruminants grazing behavior on natural vegetation suggests a potential balance between the development of extensive farming systems, and environmental conservation. The preference of domestic goats (Payoya Goat) for the shrub understory of a pine forest in Doñana Natural Park was analyzed over the course of a year, using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results show selective and seasonal grazing which varies throughout the year. The model explained 42.2% of the experimental variability with a Cox and Snell pseudo-R2 coefficient of 0.407. These are acceptable values given the complexity of the model. Two species subject to high levels of consumption, Myrtus communis and Cistus salvifolius, presented excellent predictions (69.2% and 68.2% respectively). Seasonal variations found in grazing preferences suggest the potential utility of the goat as an instrument with which to control woody vegetation without loss of biodiversity. In this way, it is possible to very accurately control the final results, facilitating the establishment of a vegetation management plan.