Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data

Documenting current species distribution patterns and their association with habitat types is important as a basis for assessing future range shifts in response to climate change or other influences. We used the adaptive local convex hull (<em>a</em>-LoCoH) method to map distribution ran...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: George J. Chirima, Norman Owen-Smith, Barend F.N. Erasmus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2012-01-01
Series:Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1009
id doaj-693120b0197c4b13a43693d993df0dac
record_format Article
spelling doaj-693120b0197c4b13a43693d993df0dac2020-11-25T02:11:10ZengAOSISKoedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science0075-64582071-07712012-01-01541e1e11989Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey dataGeorge J. Chirima0Norman Owen-Smith1Barend F.N. Erasmus2School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandSchool of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandSchool of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandDocumenting current species distribution patterns and their association with habitat types is important as a basis for assessing future range shifts in response to climate change or other influences. We used the adaptive local convex hull (<em>a</em>-LoCoH) method to map distribution ranges of 12 ungulate species within the Kruger National Park (KNP) based on locations recorded during aerial surveys (1980–1993). We used log-linear models to identify changes in regional distribution patterns and chi-square tests to determine shifts in habitat occupation over this period. We compared observed patterns with earlier, more subjectively derived distribution maps for these species. Zebra, wildebeest and giraffe distributions shifted towards the far northern section of the KNP, whilst buffalo and kudu showed proportional declines in the north. Sable antelope distribution contracted most in the north, whilst tsessebe, eland and roan antelope distributions showed no shifts. Warthog and waterbuck contracted in the central and northern regions, respectively. The distribution of impala did not change. Compared with earlier distributions, impala, zebra, buffalo, warthog and waterbuck had become less strongly concentrated along rivers. Wildebeest, zebra, sable antelope and tsessebe had become less prevalent in localities west of the central region. Concerning habitat occupation, the majority of grazers showed a concentration on basaltic substrates, whilst sable antelope favoured mopane-dominated woodland and sour bushveld on granite. Buffalo showed no strong preference for any habitats and waterbuck were concentrated along rivers. Although widespread, impala were absent from sections of mopane shrubveld and sandveld. Kudu and giraffe were widespread through most habitats, but with a lesser prevalence in northern mopane-dominated habitats. Documented distribution shifts appeared to be related to the completion of the western boundary fence and widened provision of surface water within the park. <p><strong>Conservation implications:</strong> The objectively recorded distribution patterns provide a foundation for assessing future changes in distribution that may take place in response to climatic shifts or other influences.</p>http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1009animal prevalenceclimate changelandscape preferencerange expansionwaterpoints
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author George J. Chirima
Norman Owen-Smith
Barend F.N. Erasmus
spellingShingle George J. Chirima
Norman Owen-Smith
Barend F.N. Erasmus
Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science
animal prevalence
climate change
landscape preference
range expansion
waterpoints
author_facet George J. Chirima
Norman Owen-Smith
Barend F.N. Erasmus
author_sort George J. Chirima
title Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
title_short Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
title_full Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
title_fullStr Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
title_full_unstemmed Changing distributions of larger ungulates in the Kruger National Park from ecological aerial survey data
title_sort changing distributions of larger ungulates in the kruger national park from ecological aerial survey data
publisher AOSIS
series Koedoe: African Protected Area Conservation and Science
issn 0075-6458
2071-0771
publishDate 2012-01-01
description Documenting current species distribution patterns and their association with habitat types is important as a basis for assessing future range shifts in response to climate change or other influences. We used the adaptive local convex hull (<em>a</em>-LoCoH) method to map distribution ranges of 12 ungulate species within the Kruger National Park (KNP) based on locations recorded during aerial surveys (1980–1993). We used log-linear models to identify changes in regional distribution patterns and chi-square tests to determine shifts in habitat occupation over this period. We compared observed patterns with earlier, more subjectively derived distribution maps for these species. Zebra, wildebeest and giraffe distributions shifted towards the far northern section of the KNP, whilst buffalo and kudu showed proportional declines in the north. Sable antelope distribution contracted most in the north, whilst tsessebe, eland and roan antelope distributions showed no shifts. Warthog and waterbuck contracted in the central and northern regions, respectively. The distribution of impala did not change. Compared with earlier distributions, impala, zebra, buffalo, warthog and waterbuck had become less strongly concentrated along rivers. Wildebeest, zebra, sable antelope and tsessebe had become less prevalent in localities west of the central region. Concerning habitat occupation, the majority of grazers showed a concentration on basaltic substrates, whilst sable antelope favoured mopane-dominated woodland and sour bushveld on granite. Buffalo showed no strong preference for any habitats and waterbuck were concentrated along rivers. Although widespread, impala were absent from sections of mopane shrubveld and sandveld. Kudu and giraffe were widespread through most habitats, but with a lesser prevalence in northern mopane-dominated habitats. Documented distribution shifts appeared to be related to the completion of the western boundary fence and widened provision of surface water within the park. <p><strong>Conservation implications:</strong> The objectively recorded distribution patterns provide a foundation for assessing future changes in distribution that may take place in response to climatic shifts or other influences.</p>
topic animal prevalence
climate change
landscape preference
range expansion
waterpoints
url http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1009
work_keys_str_mv AT georgejchirima changingdistributionsoflargerungulatesinthekrugernationalparkfromecologicalaerialsurveydata
AT normanowensmith changingdistributionsoflargerungulatesinthekrugernationalparkfromecologicalaerialsurveydata
AT barendfnerasmus changingdistributionsoflargerungulatesinthekrugernationalparkfromecologicalaerialsurveydata
_version_ 1724915937633632256