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Understory Forage Quality for Grazing Animals in Chilean Patagonian Forests

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Brisard

    (Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), 23 Chem. des Capelles, 31300 Toulouse, France)

  • Amelie Brisard

    (Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA), Av. de l’Université, 64000 Pau, France)

  • Mónica D. R. Toro-Manríquez

    (Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), Camino Baguales s/n km 4.7, Coyhaique 5951601, Chile)

  • Soraya Villagrán Chacón

    (Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), Camino Baguales s/n km 4.7, Coyhaique 5951601, Chile)

  • Pablo Jesús Marín-García

    (Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU), 46113 Valencia, Spain)

  • Lola Llobat

    (Department of Animal Production and Health, Veterinary Public Health and Food Science and Technology (PASAPTA), Universidad Cardenal Herrera (CEU), 46113 Valencia, Spain)

  • Guillermo Martínez Pastur

    (Laboratorio de Recursos Agroforestales, Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Bernardo Houssay 200, Ushuaia 9410, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina)

  • Sabina Miguel Maluenda

    (Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Zaragoza, C. de Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Alejandro Huertas Herrera

    (Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), Camino Baguales s/n km 4.7, Coyhaique 5951601, Chile)

Abstract

Native forests provide forage for grazing animals. We investigated whether native and exotic vegetation promotes the potential animal load (PAL, ind ha −1 yr −1 ) for cattle ( Bos taurus , ~700 kg) and sheep ( Ovis aries , ~60 kg) in contrasting native forest types and canopy cover (closed, semi-open, open). This study was conducted in Chilean Patagonia (−44° to −49° SL). Vegetation cover (%) and growth habit data (trees, shrubs, forbs, graminoids, ferns, lianas, lichens, and bryophytes) were collected from 374 plots (>5 ha) in different environments: coihue ( Nothofagus dombeyi , CO), lenga ( N. pumilio , LE), mixed Nothofagus forests (MI), ñirre ( N. antarctica , ÑI), evergreen forest (SV), and open land (OL). We combine this data with literature and laboratory analyses (e.g., crude protein, %) to develop PAL values for seasons. Data sampling was evaluated using descriptive analyses and uni- and multi-variate analyses (ANOVA, MCA, GLM). Results showed that closed forests had more native species (~56.6%) compared to open forests (~33.3%), while OL had higher cover of exotic species (~68.6%). LE presented the highest native species cover (~58.0%) and ÑI presented the highest exotic species cover (~53.0%). Closed forests had fewer exotic species than semi-open and open forests, which supported higher cover of native plants ( p < 0.01). Forbs were the dominant growth habit in closed forests, while graminoids were dominant in OL (~45.8%). Multivariate analyses showed that LE and CO were associated with lower PAL values, explaining 91.2% variance. GLMs showed that the PAL increased in ÑI and the spring season, with forbs and graminoids having positive effects and shrubs and trees having negative effects (r 2 = 0.57–0.67). Our analyses also showed that exotic species dominated environment types with a high PAL, particularly during spring and summer, when cover increased. This indicates a trade-off between forage production in forests with exotic plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Brisard & Amelie Brisard & Mónica D. R. Toro-Manríquez & Soraya Villagrán Chacón & Pablo Jesús Marín-García & Lola Llobat & Guillermo Martínez Pastur & Sabina Miguel Maluenda & Alejandro Huerta, 2025. "Understory Forage Quality for Grazing Animals in Chilean Patagonian Forests," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:1081-:d:1657125
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