Abstract: This study was conducted on a long-term grazing experiment platform in a Stipa breviflora desert steppe， with four grazing intensity treatments： control （CK）， light grazing （LG）， moderate grazing （MG）， and heavy grazing （HG）. The objective was to investigate the changes in foraging and resting behaviors of sheep （Ovis aries） under different grazing intensities in 2022 and to explore their relationships with vegetation and soil environmental factors. The results showed that as grazing intensity increased， sheep foraging time significantly increased， lying time significantly decreased， and both sheep activity level and travel distance significantly increased （P<0.05）. Sheep grazing behaviors were closely related to plant biomass， plant diversity， atmospheric and soil temperatures. Higher plant biomass and diversity were associated with shorter foraging time and longer lying time. Additionally， increases in atmospheric and soil temperatures also shortened foraging time and prolonged lying time. In summary， under heavy grazing， sheep reduced their lying time and prolonged their foraging time， primarily due to low plant productivity and simplified vegetation composition； atmospheric and soil temperatures further influenced these grazing behaviors. These findings provide important references for optimizing grassland grazing management.

Key words: Stipa breviflora desert steppe, Stocking rate, Sheep, Grazing behavior

摘要： 本研究基于短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）荒漠草原的长期放牧试验平台，设置对照（CK）、轻度放牧（LG）、中度放牧（MG）、重度放牧（HG）4个放牧强度，探究2022年不同放牧强度下绵羊（Ovis aries）采食、卧息等牧食行为的变化及其与植物和土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明，随着放牧强度增加，绵羊采食时间显著增加，卧息时间显著减少，活动量及活动距离显著增加（P<0.05）；绵羊牧食行为与植物现存量和多样性、大气和土壤温度显著相关，植物现存量和多样性越高，绵羊采食时间越短，卧息时间越长，大气和土壤温度的升高同样会导致绵羊采食时间缩短，卧息时间增加。因此，重度放牧下绵羊减少卧息时间、延长采食时间，主要与植物生产力低和植被组成单一有关，同时大气温度和土壤温度也对其牧食行为产生影响。这些发现为优化草地放牧管理提供了重要参考。

关键词: 短花针茅荒漠草原, 载畜率, 绵羊, 牧食行为