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A study of sex/age ratios in wild ungulate populations : an approach to designing an appropriate sampling strategy for estimating the structure of wild ungulate populations on Rooipoort Nature Reserve

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the population structure of a number of ungulate species occurring
within Rooipoort private reserve. Specifically the study serves to make estimates of the
ratio of males to females and calves to cows within each species population under
observation, based on the data collected.
Data were also analysed to ascertain the distribution patterns of the species in question, in
relation to vegetation type and habitat. Distribution data were additionally compared to
distribution data collected at an earlier period on Rooipoort, to determine whether any
change has occurred in distribution patterns of the ungulates concerned.
Through analysis of both sex/age data and distributional data, one of the main objectives
of the study was to determine the most appropriate time of the year, length of time and
managment costs involved to undertake sex/age counts on Rooipoort. Results of the
study were also compared to existing population models of ungulates on the reserve.
Results obtained from data concluded that a single monthly sex/age count or, in some
cases, even three consecutive monthly counts, to determine age ratios, would be
insufficient to deliver a reliable estimate of population structure. A number of counts
would have to be carried out throughout the year in order to make reliable estimates.
Distribution data revealed that all habitat/vegetation types on Rooipoort would have to be
covered in order to effectively sample all of the species in question. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gegewens is ook ontleed om die verspreidingspatrone van hoefdiersoorte te bepaal met
betrekking tot plantegroeitipe en habitat. Die verspreidingsdata is ook vergelyk met
vorige ..studies wat op Rooipoort gedoen is om te. bepaal. of enige. veranderings in die
verpreidingspatrone van die hoefdiere onder bespreking plaasgevind het.
Een van die hoof doelwitte van die studie was om.. deur ontleding. van beide die
geslags/ouderdom data en die verspreidingsdata, die mees geskikte tye van die jaar, die
tydsduur en bestuurskoste te bepaal, om geslags/ouderdomstellings op Rooipoort uit te
voer. Resultate van die studie is ook met vertroude populasiemodelle op die reservaat
vergelyk.
Die dataontledings het aangeduidat 'n enkele maandlikse geslags/ouderdoms telling, of,
In sekere gevalle, selfs drie agtereenvolgende maandlikse tellings, om
ouderdomsverhoudings te bepaal, nie voldoende sal wees om 'n vertroubare beraming van
die bevolkings struktuur te maak. n' Aantal tellings moet gedurende die yaar uitgevoer
word om vertroubare beramings te kan doen. Verspreidingsdata het bevestig dat alle
habitate en plantegroeitipes op Rooipoort bemonster moet word om alle spesie effektief
te bemonster.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51627
Date03 1900
CreatorsLaubscher, Sarah-Jane
ContributorsVan Hensbergen, H. J., Berry, M. P. S., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format200 pages : illustrations
RightsStellenbosch University

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