Pyric Herbivory With Multiple Livestock Species: Similarities in Selection Between Cattle and Goats

Pyric herbivory, the interaction between fire and grazing, is an ecological process in rangeland ecosystems. While cattle selection of burned patches is documented, the effects of a second herbivore species, like goats, remain unclear. This study examined patch selection patterns of cattle and goats when provided with both burned or unburned areas with patches varying in time since fire (TSF) and burn season. We hypothesized that both livestock species would select for recently burned patches, with cattle selection being more season-dependent than goats. We also hypothesized that the proportion of time allocated to the most recently burned patches would not significantly differ between livestock species. We compared TSF across burn seasons and quantified patch selection using Ivlev’s electivity index. Our results showed that both livestock species selected for recently burned patches, with selection decreasing as TSF increased. For cattle, patch selection was influenced by TSF and burn season. Goat patch selection was also related to TSF, but showed more variability in response to burn season and TSF duration. In dormant season burns, both livestock species selected for the most recently burned patches, while selection following growing season burns peaked at 6–11 months TSF. The observed patterns suggest that including goats in cattle operations that use pyric herbivory will not alter overall preference for burned areas.