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Table 2 Indices (± s.e) of partial and cumulative selectivity for alfalfa at each separate scale and across scales of the grazing process with the correspondent significance for selectivity and for the effect of patch size, distance between patches, and interaction between patch sizes and distances.

From: Resource heterogeneity and foraging behaviour of cattle across spatial scales

  

Significance (p value)

 

Mean (± s.e)

Selectivity

Patch size

Distance

Patch size × Distance

Partial Selectivity

     

Patch selection

1.01 (± 0.02)b

0.44

0.47

0.44

0.56

Feeding stations per patch

1.04 (± 0.02) b

0.07

0.84

0.68

0.90

Bites per feeding station

0.99 (± 0.02) b

0.73

0.85

0.38

0.82

Dry matter intake per bite

1.26 (± 0.02) a

< 0.0001

0.68

0.41

0.29

Cumulative Selectivity

     

Patches grazed (%)

50.7 (± 1.45) b

0.60

0.47

0.44

0.56

Feeding stations visited (%)

52.4 (± 1.45) b

0.09

0.43

0.24

0.43

Bites cropped (%)

52.3 (± 1.45) b

0.12

0.64

0.16

0.52

Total dry matter intake (%)

65.2 (± 1.45) a

< 0.0001

0.76

0.27

0.67

  1. Partial or cumulative selectivity indexes with different superscript are significantly different according to Duncan test. N = 25.