engleski

Making better use of forage potential of Mediterranean maquis by small ruminants.

Maquis and garrigues are types of Mediterranean shrubland vegetation that provide important habitat for wild and domestic herbivores. Although the majority of these shrubs are nutritious, virtually all contain secondary compounds that reduce their forage value. We conducted three experiments to examine the effects of feed additives and biological/biochemical diversity on intake of Mediterranean shrubs. Experiments were conducted with 12 sheep (6-treated group vs. 6-control group). In the first experiment, supplemental charcoal had a positive effect on total shrub intake of the terpene-rich shrubs, when we offered one shrub (Juniperus phoenicea ; P=0.001), two shrubs (J. phoenicea and Helichrysum italicum ; P=0.001) or three shrubs (J. phoenicea, H. italicum and J. oxycedrus ; P=0.002). In the next two experiments we examined the effect of polyethylene glycol (second experiment), and calcium hydroxide (third experiment) on intake of three tannin-rich shrubs. In both experiments, we initially offered one shrub (Pistacia lentiscus), two shrubs (P. lentiscus and Arbutus unedo) and three shrubs (P. lentiscus, A. unedo and Quercus ilex). PEG had a positive effect on total shrub intake in all three trials (P<0.001 ; P<0.001 ; P=0.002). Calcium hydroxide had positive effect when one or two shrubs were offered (P<0.001 ; P=0.003), but the positive effect was not established when offered three tannin-rich shrubs (P=0.069). Our results suggest that dietary supplements can significantly increase intake of less palatable Mediterranean shrubs. In all experiments, intake of shrub mixtures tended to increase during time and by increasing the number of shrubs in shrub mixture. Therefore, the preserve of biological diversity is important factor for long-term sustainable management of small ruminants in these environmentally very sensitive areas.

Mediterranean shrubs; Herbivores; Secondary compounds;; Medicinal plants

nije evidentirano