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Models of Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, Pallas 1766) habitat preferences in the Bontebok National Park and sustainable stocking rates

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study concentrates on the Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus Pallas 1766) population
of the Bontebok National Park. Using a combination of literature research, field observations,
satellite imagery, Geographic Information System mapping and dung analysis, their habitat
preferences within the Park are ascertained and compared to different behavioural and
environmental factors. Considering vegetation composition and height, grass cover, burning history,
general topography, water availability, actual diet quality (from faecal analysis) and population
distribution, the best predictor of spatial pattern are investigated with GIS Dempster-Shafer models.
The historical density distribution of the animals in the Park can be used to predict sustainable
stocking rates. As far as possible, the results for the Bontebok are compared to those of the other
larger herbivores in Bontebok National Park i.e. Red Hartebeest, Cape Mountain Zebra and Grey
Rhebuck. These results should be useful for Wildlife Managers to know how to manage veld for
Bontebok and at what stocking rates this can be done sustainably. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus, Pallas 1766) bevolking van
die Bontebok Nasionale Park. Deur ‘n kombinasie van literatuurstudie, veldobservasies,
satlietbeelde, Geografiese Inligtingstelsel (GIS) kartering en mis-analise te gebruik, word Bontebok
habitatvoorkeure in die Park vasgestel en met verskillende gedrags- en omgewingsfaktore vergelyk.
Deur te kyk na plantegroei-samestelling en hoogte, grasbedekking, brandgeskiedenis, algemene
topografie, water-beskikbaarheid, diëet kwaliteit en die Bontebokke se waargenome ruimtelike
verspreiding, word die faktor wat die verspreidingspatroon die beste voorspel, m.b.v. GIS
Dempster-Shafer modelle ondersoek. Die historiese digtheidsverspreiding van diere in die Park
word gebruik om volhoubare veldladings te voorspel. Sover moontlik word die resultate vir
Bontebok vergelyk.met die ander groter herbivore in die Bontebok Nasionale Park, te wete Rooi
Hartebees, Kaapse Bergsebra en Vaalribbok. Hierdie resultate behoort vir Natuurlewe-bestuurders
tot nut te wees as riglyne vir veldbestuur en volhoubare veldladings van Bontebok.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21218
Date12 1900
CreatorsLuyt, Eustatius du Chavoux
ContributorsWard, D., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Conservation Ecology and Entomology.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format111 leaves : ill., maps
RightsStellenbosch University

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