The influence of large mammalian herbivores on growth form and utilization of mopane trees, Colophospermum mopane, in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve.

摘要: Mopane veld is of great value to the general ungulate spectrum in times drought, and it capable retaining its dominance a community even presence extremely heavy browsing pressure imposed by large mammals. Scrub mopane (hedges) has been regarded as resulting from excessive mammals, especially elephants. Both nutrient chemical composition twig bark were investigated, seasonal results being related back utilization branches twigs most palatable winter. Eland feed on throughout year irrespective palatability. Elephants rarely present scrub area before onset spring rains, when major leaf flush occurs independently rainfall. The impact both species was not recruitment seedlings does occur. Herbivore responsible for morph which buds early continues produce accessible, nutritious leaves heavily browsed. Many ungulates are reliant this resource during stressful transition summer south-eastern Botswana. Resume Le “veld”a est tres important pour l'ensemble du spectre des ongules en temps de secheresse, et meme conserver sa dans une communaute cas pression extremement lourde exercee par les grands mammiferes brouteurs feuilles. On considere que buissons (formant haies) etaient le resultat d'une broutage mammiferes, particulierement analyse nutriments la chimique l'ecorce rameaux mopane, mis resultats saisonniers relation avec l'utilisation saisonniere mammiferes. Les sont plus gouteux hiver. elands se nourrissent toute l'annee quel qu';en soit gout. elephants rarement presents avant l'arrivee pluies printemps alors grande poussee feuilles lieu independemment pluies. L'impact deux especes n'est pas excessif, observe repousse jeunes mopane. Le herbivores responsable morphologie qui bourgeonne tot continue produire accessibles nutritives lorsque intense. Beaucoup d'ongules broutent dependent cette ressource lors difficile entre l'ete au sud-est Botswana.