Resource partitioning between ungulate populations in arid environments.

摘要: Herbivores are major drivers of ecosystem structure, diversity, and function. Resilient ecosystems therefore require viable herbivore populations in a sustainable balance with environmental resource availability. This is becoming harder to achieve, increasingly threatened species reliant on small protected areas harsh unpredictable environments. Arid environments North Africa exemplify this situation, featuring biologically distinct assemblage exposed extreme volatile conditions, including habitat loss climate change-associated threats. Here, we implement an integrated likelihood approach relate scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) density, via dung distance sampling, habitat, predator, geographic correlates Dghoumes National Park, Tunisia. We show how two sympatric ungulates partition resources the axis, exhibiting nonuniform responses same vegetation gradient. Scimitar-horned were positively associated plant richness, selecting for vegetated ephemeral watercourses (wadis) dominated by herbaceous cover. Conversely, negatively density (herbaceous height, litter cover, cover), instead rocky plains sparse vegetation. suggest that adequate richness should be prerequisite proposed future ungulate reintroductions arid semi-arid evidence will inform adaptive management reintroduced environments, helping managers planners design effective conservation programs.