Botanical sampling as a means of identifying the components of sheep's diet in tussock grassland

摘要

Abstract Several features of the environment and management of tussock grassland add to the difficulties of using simple observation to determine the diet of sheep. The flora is a large one, and in response to variations in soil, aspect, altitude and management the vegetation on any grazing block consists of a mosaic of plant communities. Grazing intensities are low and grazing periods long, and the sheep are nomadic and easily disturbed. A century of occupation has led to some conclusions as to the relative palatabilities of a few of the more abundant species but the picture is far from clear and there are several apparent contradictions. This article describes a method of botanical sampling to identify what sheep eat in tussock grassland. The technique involves sampling the area concerned with a 1 ft diameter ring, all species inside the ring being recorded and each rated according to its degree of defoliation.