期刊名称：International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation
电子版ISSN：2141-243X
出版年度：2013
卷号：5
期号：10
页码：678-686
DOI：10.5897/IJBC2013.0574
语种：English
出版社：Academic Journals
摘要：Glade use by common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) was studied in five man-made, five upper natural and 15 lower natural glades in Mount Meru Game Reserve, Tanzania. Direct observations were made on glade use by each species on four different days; 200 and 300 observation periods for warthogs (mornings and afternoons), and buffalo, reedbuck and bushbuck (mornings, afternoons and nights), respectively. Warthogs spent more time (54%) in glades, than reedbuck (38%), bushbuck (30%) and buffalo (26%). Warthogs used man-made and lower natural glades more than expected due to food availability and lower altitude. Buffalo used upper natural glades more than lower and man-made glades because of food availability and the presence of water within or near glades. Bushbuck used man-made and upper natural glades more than lower natural glades due to food availability, water availability and cover. Reedbuck used upper natural glades more than lower and man-made glades because of cooler temperatures, water availability, cover and minimal disturbance from humans. Thus, results show that glade uses by ungulates were influenced by presence of glade water and food, as well as glade ambient temperature and cover, and the amount of human disturbance.
