Fodder Availability and Goat Foraging Behaviour in Rangeland of High Catchment Zone of Mandrare in Southern of Madagascar

Abstract

Forage resources have been assessed with goats in the High Catchment zone of Mandrare in Southern Madagascar. Floristic component, nutritive value of fodder species and goat foraging behaviour have been determined by sampling areas, monitoring, recording, calculating and analysing some parameters floristic index and foraging rhythms. Using one ram, two castrated goats and three ewes, foraging behaviours were examined by sequential recording during two periods (end of dry season and end of wet season). Using Principal Component Analysis, four pasturelands were identified with dominant browse species: Acacia farnesiana, Poupartia caffra, Kigelianthe madagascariensis and Rhigozum madagascariense. Their floristic aspect have been characterized a higher heterogeneity formation (1.04 ± 0.07) and Shannon – Weaver Index (0.18 to 0.95; p < 0.05) and lower pasture value have been recorded (19.14 ± 4.81 %; p<0.05). Acacia farnesiana rangeland has been dominated by shrubs with the highest pasture value and involved in better goat foraging behaviour. Most of the 43 identified species were available dominated by browses species with 12% spines species, a higher bite rate, best pasture and nutritive value have been mentioned in low lands. In fact, the relationships between phytosociology and nutritional parameters allow for improvement of range management and native rangeland restoration.