The ecological role of large herbivores is increasingly recognized due to their ability to
influence ecosystem functioning and their impacts on faunal and floral assemblages. Knowledge
on the determinants of spatial utilization is crucial towards the successful management of these
species according to objectives set for the conservation of biodiversity. While numerous studies
have investigated the factors influencing the movements and habitat preferences of large
northern hemisphere herbivores, few have focused on members of the African megaherbivore
guild. In the context of fenced reserves, elephants have been implicated in the degradation of
habitat resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity. Using a kernel analysis approach, I
calculated home range size and utilization distributions for five separate herds from an elephant
population in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and examined possible determinants. I explored
differences in utilization intensity between herds and seasons by comparing the rugosity of
utilization distributions. I used a utilization distribution-weighted composition analysis to
determine seasonal habitat preferences within the home range and examined the factors
influencing daily movement characteristics within different habitats in different seasons.
Substantial variation in home range size and location, utilization intensity, habitat preferences
and movement responses was evident between herds. Spatial and temporal variation in resource
distribution and intra-specific competition explained differences in home range size and
utilization intensity. Larger herds underwent more fission-fusion events than small herds,
possibly due to resource scarcity and greater competitive interactions. Elephants preferred
greener habitats during the dry season and appeared to conform to optimal foraging principles.
They utilized forest habitats more than others, selected larger patches with high densities of
favoured food items and included greater proportions of common woody species in their diet.
Large groups foraged close to rivers in the wet season and appeared to broaden foraging choices
in the dry season by moving further away. Restricted displacements in the early morning and
evening suggested crepuscular foraging activity while greater displacements at midday could
not be explained by the need for water. This study highlights the importance of considering
variation in animal movements and habitat utilization in overall conservation planning and
when evaluating threats to sensitive habitats, particularly in fenced protected areas. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/8904 |
| Date | 17 May 2013 |
| Creators | Bodasing, Tarik. |
| Contributors | Page, Bruce R., Duffy, Kevin. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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