Summer diet of cattle grazing in lenga forests (Nothofagus pumilio) and flood meadows of Chubut, Argentina

Summer diet composition of cattle grazing in systems formed by Nothofagus pumilio forests (lenga) and flood meadows, in Northwest of Chubut, was determined. Forage availability in flood meadows and understory were estimated by cutting aboveground biomass. Cattle diet composition was assessed using faeces microhistological analysis. Diet consisted mainly of Poaceae and Cyperaceae species, which decreased in frequency at the end of summer grazing, on the other hand, frequency of woody species including lenga saplings, increased at the same period. Cattle selected grass species in both periods, and also lenga saplings in the end of summer. Livestock is an important economic activity for the inhabitants of the region. This paper provides information that can be for the elaboration of guideline for sustainable coexistence of forest and cattle.