The distribution of excreta on New Forest grassland used by cattle, ponies and deer.
Abstract
The distribution of excreta on areas of reseeded grassland in the New Forest used by free-ranging cattle, ponies and fallow deer was shown to be non-random. Distinct latrine areas were recognized where the faeces of all three herbivore species were concentrated, and where the major of urinations occurred. The latrine areas were characterized by an uneven sward about 50 mm tall with abundant thistles (Cirsium spp.) and ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). Non-latrine areas had an even and very closely cropped sward between 10 and 20 mm tall. Soil chemical analysis of the two kinds of area revealed significantly higher levels of exchangeable potassium in latrine areas, and on one site significantly higher levels of magnesium and organic matter. No significant differences were detected in soil reaction, nor in phosphorus or calcium levels. The standing crop of dung and the rate of dung production on the two kinds of area were monitored for 12 months on one lawn. The amount of pony dung produced on non-latrine areas was only 16.5% of that in latrine areas, while for cattle the corresponding value was 28.7%.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>The distribution of excreta on areas of resown grassland in the New Forest used by free-ranging cattle, ponies and fallow deer was shown to be non-random. Distinct latrine areas were recognized where the faeces of all 3 spp. were concentrated, and where the majority of urinations occurred. Latrine areas were characterized by an uneven sward about 50 mm tall with abundant Cirsium spp. and Senecio jacobaea. Non-latrine areas had an even and very closely cropped sward 10 - 20 mm tall. Observations of grazing animals revealed a tendency, at all times of yr, for ponies to avoid grazing latrine areas; in contrast, only 2% of the cattle observations made during a 20-month period were of animals grazing in non-latrine areas. It is argued that the observed pattern has been created by selective grazing and eliminatory behaviour of the ponies, and that the excreta of cattle and deer are largely confined to pony latrine areas because these animals are unable to graze the very short herbage of non-latrine areas.