Botanical composition and selective feeding by goats in the semi-arid lands of Central-Eastern Kenya

Abstract

Botanical composition of University of Nairobi’s Machang’a Field Station, Mbeere, in the Semi-arid Central-Eastern rangelands of Kenya was inventoried by reconnaissance survey. Relative abundance of the various plant species and ground cover were then established for three seasons: long rains, short rains and dry season. Small East African goats were allowed to graze freely on the range and their selective grazing behavior used to identify the relative preference of plant species. Over one hundred and eighty (180) plant species were identified and recorded. The herbaceous ground cover varied with season and was highest during the long rains study (40.8%) followed by short rains (19.2%) and lowest for dry season (12.6%). Goats showed strong preference for species which were relatively scarce (r<-0.86). Promotion and conservation of the preferred plants was recommended.