Med. Weter. 82 (10), 497-502, 2026
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| KAMILA JANICKA, MAŁGORZATA NIEDOŚPIAŁ, MARIUSZ KULIK, IWONA ROZEMPOLSKA-RUCIŃSKA |
| Spatial activity of sheep under extensive grazing conditions in relation to habitat type |
| The aim of the study was to analyse the grazing behaviour and spatial activity of Świniarka sheep in relation to habitat type under extensive grazing conditions. It was hypothesised that habitat type influences the organisation of sheep activity, as reflected in differences in habitat use and in the proportion of locomotor activity and non-locomotor behaviour. The study was conducted in the “Kózki” Nature Reserve using telemetry collars. The study sample consisted of a flock of 300 sheep, of which 10 randomly selected individuals were fitted with telemetry collars. Observations were carried out over a 10-day period during the grazing season, and 16 complete telemetry recordings comprising a total of 135 hours of observations were selected for further analysis. Based on the habitat map, four habitat types (H1-H4) differing in vegetation composition were identified. The analysis included the time spent by sheep within individual habitats, locomotor activity, non-locomotor behaviour, and distance travelled. A significant effect of habitat type on the organisation of grazing activity in sheep was demonstrated (p < 0.05). The highest proportion of time spent by animals, as well as non-locomotor behaviour associated mainly with resting and grazing, was recorded in habitats dominated by vegetation of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class (H1 and H4). In contrast, habitats associated with sandy grassland communities of the Koelerio glaucae-Corynephoretea canescentis class were characterised by a higher proportion of locomotor activity, which may suggest that these areas were used mainly during movement between other pasture fragments. The results indicate that habitat structure and vegetation composition may have been associated with differences in the way sheep utilised space under semi-natural conditions. The use of GPS telemetry monitoring proved to be a useful tool for assessing the spatial and behavioural activity of sheep under natural conditions. |
| Key words: Świniarka sheep, pasture activity, GPS telemetry, habitat |