Diet and distribution of elephant in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique
Diet and distribution of elephant in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique
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DOI：
10.1046/j.1365-2028.2000.00243.x
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发表时间：
2000-09-01
影响因子：
1
通讯作者：
Mafuca, JM
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
de Boer, WF;Ntumi, CP;Mafuca, JM
采用粪便计数、卫星跟踪和粪便分析等方法对马普托大象保护区大象的分布和食性进行了研究。这一结果与莫桑比克内战前的早期数据进行了比较。在内战期间，大象的数量减少了，但仍然有180头动物。早期的研究表明，大象更喜欢草原区。目前，大象更喜欢茂密的森林地带，而不是草原区的优质牧草。水的盐度影响了分布；在旱季，大象的粪便堆更接近淡水。在粪便中发现了95种不同的植物。与其他研究相比，草的比例相对较低，在雨季开始时增加。在旱季结束时，大象集中在为数不多的具有幼叶的可供觅食的物种上，但通常更喜欢草种来觅食物种。食物组成主要受季节影响，受生境影响较小。大象已经改变了它们对偷猎的栖息地偏好，并可能增加了觅食物种在饮食中的贡献。森林斑块的存在对大象的生存至关重要。
The distribution and diet of the elephants of the Maputo Elephant Reserve were studied using dung counts, satellite tracking and faecal analysis. The results were compared with earlier data from before the civil war in Mozambique. The elephant population decreased during the civil war, but 180 animals still remain. Earlier studies described the elephants as preferring the grass plains. Currently, the elephants prefer the dense forest patches over the high quality forage found in the grass plains. Water salinity affected distribution; elephant dung piles were found closer to fresh water in the dry season. A total of 95 different plant species were identified in the faeces. The percentage of grass was relatively low compared with other studies, increasing at the beginning of the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, elephants concentrated on the few available browse species with young leaves, but generally preferred grass species to browse species. Diet composition was mainly affected by season and less by habitat. The elephants have changed their habitat preference in reaction to poaching, and probably increased the contribution of browse species in the diet. The presence of forest patches has been vital for the survival of the elephants.