Selective feeding behavior of Creole goats in the lomas adjacent to the Lachay Nationel Reserve

Abstract

Objective: To identify strategic plant species and evaluate dietary selection patterns in the seasonal ecosystem of the hills adjacent to the Lachay National Reserve (Lima, Peru). Methodology. Forage availability was determined using the step-point transect method, while diet composition was evaluated through point-stop macroscopy from samples obtained via hand-plucking simulation. Ivlev's electivity index, the forage importance index (FII), niche breadth (Bsta), and diet-offer overlap (ISP) were calculated. Results. Findings showed a preferential selection for the grasses Poa annua and Vulpia megalura, the herbs Calandrinia alba and Sicyos baderoa, and the shrub Vasconcellea candicans; in contrast, highly abundant species such as Salvia rhombifolia were avoided. The FII highlighted Paspalum penicillatum and Nolana humifusa as highly relevant species, whereas Exodeconus prostratus and Crassula connata showed low importance despite their high availability. The overlap (ISP = 0.544) and niche breadth (Bsta = 0.344) values indicate a diet partially proportional to the forage offer, characterized by a selective consumption pattern and moderate specialization. Conclusion. The results suggest that the selective pressure exerted by goats could influence the ecological dynamics of the lomas. These findings contribute to the sustainable management of extensive systems and underscore the need to monitor key species to prevent overgrazing and develop resilient agroecological systems.