Spatial and temporal variation patterns of summer grazing trajectories of Sunit sheep

Abstract

GPS is an important tool for real-time monitoring of individual livestock. Analysis of the spatial and temporal changes in the grazing trajectory of Sunit sheep provided a scientific basis for the rational use of Inner Mongolia desert grassland resources and optimal breeding of livestock. In this study, GPS collars were used to track Sunit sheep in the Inner Mongolia desert grassland. These data were combined with ground measurement data and spatial remote sensing data to investigate the spatial and temporal variation patterns of sheep grazing tracks. The results showed that the distance travelled by sheep in June was significantly different from that in July and August (p < 0.05). The effective daily foraging time was mainly concentrated in the time ranges of 7:00–10:00 and 15:00–18:00 in June and August, and in the time ranges of 7:00–9:00 and 16:00–19:00 in July, for more active grazing behavior in the morning and evening hours. The degree of nuclear density of foraging track points was significantly different from the edible forage biomass (p < 0.05), with the average daily walking distance negatively correlated with the total grass biomass (R2 = 0.49). Overall, the results of this study confirm that GPS-positioning technology can be applied to study the spatial and temporal variation patterns of sheep and suggest new strategies for more effective grassland management in this region.