Influence of Pasture Diversity and NDVI on Sheep Foraging Behavior in Central Italy

Sara Moscatelli (), Simone Pesaresi, Martin Wikelski, Federico Maria Tardella, Andrea Catorci and Giacomo Quattrini
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Sara Moscatelli: International School of Advanced Studies, PhD Course “One Health” University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Simone Pesaresi: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, D3A, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Martin Wikelski: Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
Federico Maria Tardella: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Andrea Catorci: School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Pontoni 5, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Giacomo Quattrini: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, D3A, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Geographies, 2025, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Pastoral activities are an essential part of the cultural and ecological landscape of Central Italy. This traditional practice supports local economies, maintains biodiversity, and contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources. Understanding livestock behavior in response to environmental variability is essential for improving grazing management and animal welfare and ensuring the sustainability of these systems. This study evaluated the movement patterns of sheep grazing on pastures with differing vegetation indices in the Sibillini Mountains. Twenty lactating ewes foraging on two different pastures were monitored from June to October 2023 using GPS collars and accelerometers. GPS tracks were segmented using the Expectation Maximization Binary Clustering (EmBC) method to characterize movement behaviors, such as foraging, traveling, and resting. The NDVI was used to characterize vegetation dynamics, showing notable differences between the two pastures and across the grazing season. Additive mixed models were used to analyze data, accounting for individual variability and temporal autocorrelation in the sample. The results suggest that variations in the NDVI influence grazing behavior, with sheep in areas of lower vegetation density exhibiting increased movement during foraging. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing grazing practices and promoting sustainable land use.

Keywords: behavior; sheep; vegetation; NDVI; grassland ecosystems; foraging ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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