Spatiotemporal dynamics of forage and water resources shape space use of West African savanna buffaloes

摘要: We investigated space-use patterns of the West African savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer brachyceros), a littlestudied subspecies occurring at northern limit buffalo’s geographical range. This generally ranges in small herds (about 45 individuals) and has low body mass (approximately 400 kg) relative to Cape (S. c. caffer). monitored movements 7 breeding W Regional Park (Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger) using global positioning system collars activity data loggers. Habitat selection was analyzed both large (interseasonal) (intraseasonal) scales context where resources are segregated spatially some times year. Both biotic (primary production vegetation types) abiotic (timing rainfall surface water) covariates, extent which neighboring shared space, were considered. In dry season ranged close (within 5.3 6 2.0 km, mean SD) segments permanent rivers. At onset monsoon all but 1 (which had year-round access suitable resources) performed (35 10 km) directional movement response large-scale gradient primary production. Spatiotemporal dynamics forage water thus jointly stimulated interseasonal shaped (335 167 km 2 ) annual home ranges. Furthermore, establishment wet appears be conditioned by threshold 10%) availability perennial grasses. Habitat-selection analysis intraseasonal scale also underlines key role played grasses for buffaloes. The spatial arrangements suggest that interherd behavioral avoidance is high-level constraint on foraging processes. ability cope with contrasting environmental conditions throughout most sub-Saharan ecosystems highlights high plasticity this species.