Rangeland in the diet of vicugnas

Abstract

With the present use of rangeland, vicugna’s diet will be dominated by Festuca scirpifolia, along with a decrease of the more palatable species. The purpose of this study was to analyse vicugna’s diet by direct watching on peatland vegetation of the Puna in order to achieve a proper conservation and management of the animal species and its habitat. The survey was done with three herds on one ha paddock, identified with colour necklaces. Plant cover was determined by Daubenmire methodology –1959. Each herd was observed weekly during winter and summer seasons. Data were analysed by ANOVA on a completely aleatorized design, evaluating annual cover of the grassland as well as grazing time. In winter the analysis showed preference for Deyeuxia nardifolia, the next being Festuca scirpifolia and Eleocharis sp., although Festuca scirpifolia, in this period presented a high proportion of cover in comparison to the other two. In summer, there was high preference for Eleocharis sp. and Carex sp., though their covers reach less than 15%.