Ungulate distributions in a rangeland with competitors, predators and pastoralists

摘要: Summary African rangelands support diverse ungulate communities whose member species exhibit unique combinations of body morphology and behaviour that have evolved over millions years to limit the effects competition predation on fitness, more recently, cope with people livestock. The mechanisms by which native ungulates combined competition, human disturbance are poorly understood. Addressing this knowledge gap will help guide management conservation plans for large mammal outside strictly protected areas. We conducted animal counts line transects used a spatially explicit distance sampling model test influence bottom–up (vegetation), top–down from African lion Panthera leo spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta (livestock density, occupied settlements) densities distributions across multiple-use rangeland in Kenya. We examined five varied foraging strategy, including two large-bodied grazers (zebra Equus quagga; wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus), medium-bodied, mixed-feeders (Grant's gazelle Nanger granti; impala Aepyceros melampus) one very browser (giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). Densities all available land-use types, (vegetation) having strongest overall effects. Responses strategy. Distributions (giraffe) changed seasonally, while grazer (zebra) diurnally. At broad spatial scales, did not respond long-term variation risk though they been shown behaviourally short-term risk. Synthesis applications. Our results revealed occur at comparable many flagship area populations. attribute observed heterogeneity landscape included land use (community area, seasonal settlements livestock grazing, permanent vegetation (grassland, bushland, woodland) through time (seasonally, diurnally). This allowed carve out ecological niches reducing exposure potential limiting disturbance. For some species, securing access forage resources avoiding may be associated costs increased predation. research reveals trade-offs make changes availability, risk, providing important insights efforts rangelands.