Investigation on preference value of range species and grazing behavior in Qorveh Rangelands of Kurdistan

This study was performed in the Qorveh rangeland of Kurdistan for five years (2006 2010) to determine the preference value of range species and grazing behavior. The preference value of range species was measured with two methods (time study and preference index). According to the obtained results, significant differences were found for the years and plant species in terms of grazing time percentage, at 1% level of probability. Mean comparison of grazing time percentage showed that Bromus tomentellus with an average of 12.31% together with annuals was classified in one class, and Galium verum, Thymus daenensis, Pterocephalus canus, Poa bulbosa and other species were classified in another class. The lowest grazing time percentage (0.33%) was recorded for Prangos ferulacea. Our results clearly showed that Stipa bromoiedes and Festuca ovina were much less grazed by livestock.