The distribution of large herbivore hotspots in relation to environmental and anthropogenic correlates in the Mara region of Kenya

摘要: 1. The distributions of large herbivores in protected areas and their surroundings are becoming increasingly restricted by changing land use, with adverse consequences for wildlife populations. 2. We analyse changes herbivore hotspots to understand environmental anthropogenic correlates using 50 aerial surveys conducted at a spatial resolution 5 x km(2) (n = 289 cells) the Mara region Kenya during 19772010. compare across seasons, use types (protection, pastoralism agro-pastoralism) 10 species different body sizes feeding styles. 3. Small that most susceptible predation dependent on high-quality forage concentrate greenest wet close rivers Masai pastoral ranches both seasons. Livestock grazing creates conditions favouring small these ranches, including short grasses better visibility, implying facilitation. But reserve, they browner, drier flatter farther from rivers, suggesting facilitation grazers season, or little competition migratory occupying reserve dry season. 4. In medium similar reserve. However, stay also green when migrants occur As such typically have higher risk, this suggests absorbing pressure or, alternatively, competitive displacement preferred habitats. 5. Large herbivores, which suffer least predation, depend bulk likely engender conflicts people, all year. This attraction taller denser grass perceived greater safety 6. These results reveal how quantity quality, water, livestock interact individual life-history traits, seasons shaping dynamics human-dominated savannas.