Theme 1: Grassland Ecology
Description
Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) is one of the most important wild species in Iran. This species prefers plain and low hill habitats which are dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia sieberi). However, due to extensive hunting and habitat destruction, the populations of gazelle were declined and this valuable species was recorded as threatened species in 2006. To rehabilitate the habitats of gazelle and improve their productivity, Cheshmeh-Gol captive reproduction station with an area of 50 hectares was established. To provide more reliable information on diet requirements of gazelle, direct observation and cafeteria feeding on captive animals were employed. For direct observation, through watching tame animals of both sexes, minutes of forage consumption were recorded. For cafeteria feeding, captive animals were fed with known amounts of native and introduced species (e.g. Poa bulbosa, Artemisa sieberi, and Atriplex canescens) which were clipped and brought to the feeding fance. The consumed quantities of forage were determined by weighing the forage before and after presenting to the animals. By using the same animals, experiments were conducted in different seasons. The average daily consumption was estimated 1kg per day per gazelle. The result of cafeteria feeding was shown that the amounts of forage consumption affected by season and the quality of the gazelle’s food, changed in different seasons. Gazelle’s metabolic energy was lowered in summer compare to other seasons and were different for both sexes. To manage the rangelands properly, forage production was calculated about 6815 kg DM per year, so the capacity of study area was estimated 19 heads. As the number of gazelles were increased to 50 head and more, the area of station should be extended.
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An Investigation on Food Habits of Persian Gazelle in Cheshmeh Gol Reproduction Station of Khorasan Province, Iran
Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) is one of the most important wild species in Iran. This species prefers plain and low hill habitats which are dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia sieberi). However, due to extensive hunting and habitat destruction, the populations of gazelle were declined and this valuable species was recorded as threatened species in 2006. To rehabilitate the habitats of gazelle and improve their productivity, Cheshmeh-Gol captive reproduction station with an area of 50 hectares was established. To provide more reliable information on diet requirements of gazelle, direct observation and cafeteria feeding on captive animals were employed. For direct observation, through watching tame animals of both sexes, minutes of forage consumption were recorded. For cafeteria feeding, captive animals were fed with known amounts of native and introduced species (e.g. Poa bulbosa, Artemisa sieberi, and Atriplex canescens) which were clipped and brought to the feeding fance. The consumed quantities of forage were determined by weighing the forage before and after presenting to the animals. By using the same animals, experiments were conducted in different seasons. The average daily consumption was estimated 1kg per day per gazelle. The result of cafeteria feeding was shown that the amounts of forage consumption affected by season and the quality of the gazelle’s food, changed in different seasons. Gazelle’s metabolic energy was lowered in summer compare to other seasons and were different for both sexes. To manage the rangelands properly, forage production was calculated about 6815 kg DM per year, so the capacity of study area was estimated 19 heads. As the number of gazelles were increased to 50 head and more, the area of station should be extended.
