Edible Forage Production and Goat Foraging Behaviour in Rangeland at Ebelo Amboasary

Abstract

Relationships between plant and animal are successful optimisation foraging activities in pastoral areas. In Southern of Madagascar, this research aims to analyse relationships between edible productions (dry matter DM) and browses species; to examine goat foraging behaviour within recorded bite rate from six selected goat adults. Allometric variables were considered such as leaf area index, canopy height, diameter at breast height and branches number. Four vegetation groups were identified (p<0.05) with dominant forage species such as Acacia farnesiana, Poupartia caffra, Rhigozum madagascariense and Ziziphus mauritiana. Poupartia caffra was characterized by better leaf area index with 26.47±3.54 m², middle canopy height value with 299.40±71.71cm and middle diameter at breast height with 43.00±3.00cm. Edible production was higher and involved in significant difference such as Acacia farnesiana with 14.70±9.40 kg DM.plant^-1; Poupartia caffra with 71.52±47.38 kg DM.plant^-1; Rhigozum madagascariense with 6.04±3.41 kg DM.plant^-1and Ziziphus mauritiana with 5.66±1.65 kg plant^-1. Branches number was better parameter for biomass prediction (r²=0.92).  With high availability, Acacia farnesiana range was much visited and intake with daily bites (7-8 bites.mn^-1, p<0.05). Primary productivity effects were determinate by seasonality, rangeland ecology and defoliation. These interactions were invested to select, develop productive autochthonous forage species and restoring sustainable semi-arid rangelands.