Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Article Title

Grazing with Goats Changed the Woodland Plant-Species Composition During Summer

Authors

Rishi Khatri, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
Uma Karki, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
Jerry Bettis, Tuskegee UniversityFollow
Yubaraj Karki, Tuskegee UniversityFollow

Abstract

Abstract

Woodland grazing is a common practice in the Southeast; however, information is limited on its effects on the woodland plant-species composition. The study objective was to determine the effect of summer grazing on woodland plant-species composition. Before- and after-grazing observations were taken at the ground, mid, and high levels in three plots (1-acre each) along the pre-established transects. Kiko wethers (29, 6-8 months old, 26.8±0.67 kg body weight) were allowed to graze the plots after before-grazing observations were taken. After-grazing observations were taken immediately after the goats were moved out from the plots. Grazing showed a significant effect on the plant species diversity at the ground- and mid-level (p

Keywords: Browse, Evenness index, Kiko, Species diversity, Wether

Recommended Citation

Khatri, Rishi; Karki, Uma; Bettis, Jerry; and Karki, Yubaraj (2016) "Grazing with Goats Changed the Woodland Plant-Species Composition During Summer," Professional Agricultural Workers Journal: Vol. 4: No. 1, 10.
Available at: https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/pawj/vol4/iss1/10