Environmental factors that affect the concentration of P and N in faecal samples collected for the determination of nutritional status

摘要: Faecal samples have been proven to be valuable in determining the nutritional status of wild herbivores. It is often, however, difficult and impractical collect dung as it dropped. In this study, effect various environmental factors that may influence P N concentrations faeces were investigated. Factors examined rain, age samples, presence beetles, method storage, length fungal growth (mould) on poorly dried drying period samples. Results indicate should only collected from fresh pads are still wet which show no signs beetle activity. Collecting shortly after a rain storm avoided. Samples can air-dried ventilated room or oven-dried at 60 @C without any nutrient concentrations, but care must taken avoid during period. Dried stored paper bags for up 1 year before analysis. The individual variation concentration larger browsers than grazers more thus representative herd when pooled. During difference between males females was found representing therefore randomly. Faeces juvenile impala once they weaned.