Activity and behavior patterns of cattle, horses and sheep grazing in mountainous areas using geolocation collars

Abstract

The sustainability of livestock extensive systems is compromised. It is necessary to enhance our understanding of the activity and grazing behavior of different livestock species (cows, horses and sheep) sharing the same mountainous areas. Nowadays, the observation and analysis of animal activity is greatly facilitated by remote tracking technology, especially in zones with difficult access. In this article, we proved that commercial geolocation collars can provide meaningful data on animal activity, behavior and distribution, which can be used to model daily distances, activity patterns, grazing behavior, daily home range and herd dispersal. Results revealed significant differences in activity between species, influenced by the season, altitude and shepherding practices. Sheep traveled longer daily distances (2.85 km/d) and grazed at higher altitudes than cattle (1.68 km/d) and horses (1.65 km/d), aligning with their specific dietary requirements. Seasonal transhumance and summer conditions also influenced grazing patterns, with peak activity in June and higher altitudes in summer. Cows exhibited a bi-modal daily activity pattern, while horses and sheep grazed more consistently throughout the day. Herd dispersal varied by species and season, with cows and horses less dispersed early in the grazing season due to abundant resources. Weather had minimal daily impact, though drier springs in 2022 and 2023 led to increased distances and home range sizes across all species, reflecting stress to find food. Individual variability accounted for much of the observed differences, underscoring the importance of considering individual-specific behaviors in grazing management. These findings highlight the need for species and herd customized strategies to promote sustainable livestock management in mountainous rangelands.