A5015610096- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Marine animal studies overview
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Forest Management and Policy
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Forest ecology and management
University of KwaZulu-Natal
2012-2023
Umkhuseli Innovation and Research Management
2022
Scientific Services
2018
Nelson Mandela University
2008-2012
Abstract: Elephant are believed to be one of the main ecological drivers in conversion savanna woodlands grassland. We assessed impacts elephant on large trees (≥5 m height) southern section Kruger National Park. Tree dimensions and utilization by were recorded for 3082 individual across 22 transects (average length 3 km 10 wide). Sixty per cent exhibited 4% dead as a direct result foraging behaviour. Each height class tree was utilized proportion abundance. However, size species influenced...
Competitively dominant carnivore species can limit the population sizes and alter behavior of inferior competitors. Established mechanisms that enable coexistence include spatial temporal avoidance predator by subordinates, dietary niche separation. However, heterogeneity across landscapes could provide competitors with refuges in form areas lower competitor density and/or locations concealment from Here, we combine temporally overlapping telemetry data lions (Panthera leo) subordinate...
Managers of African lions (Panthera leo) on reserves where they have been reintroduced increasingly face challenges associated with ecological regulation,genetic degradation and increased susceptibility to catastrophic events. The Lion Management Forum (LiMF) was formed in 2010 define these explore possible solutions the view developing appropriate management guidelines. LiMF bases its recommendations ecologically sound premise that managers should, as far possible, mimic natural processes...
Summary Positive biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships (BEFRs) have been widely documented, but it is unclear if BEFRs should be expected in disturbance‐driven systems. Disturbance may limit competition and niche differentiation, which are frequently posited to underlie BEFRs. We provide the first exploration of relationship between tree species diversity biomass, one measure ecosystem function, across southern African woodlands savannas, an ecological system rife with disturbance...
The reintroduction of large predators provides a framework to investigate responses by prey species predators. Considerable research has been directed at the impact that reintroduced wolves (Canis lupus) have on cervids, and lesser degree, bovids, in northern temperate regions. Generally, these impacts alter feeding, activity, ranging behavior, or combinations these. However, there are few studies response African bovids predators, thus, is limited data compare tropical ungulates predator...
Habitat quality is often assumed to be directly related increased consumer density, but such assumptions cannot made without supporting demographic data that indicate improved fitness. selection might especially important for denning species, where vulnerable offspring are confined a single location extended periods, the effect of den choice on reproductive success species poorly understood. By combining airborne high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) measurements with pack...
Variation in the vulnerability of herbivore prey to predation is linked body size, yet whether this relationship size‐nested or size‐partitioned remains debated. If size‐partitioned, predators would be focused on within their preferred size range. size‐nested, smaller species should become increasingly more vulnerable because are capable catching them. Yet, either these strategies manifests top–down population limitation depend both number potential predator as well total mortality imposed....
Many recently established small game reserves in southern Africa have introduced lion, and had to actively manage their populations as the lion are relatively small(
Individuals select for habitats at different scales. Can a species’ response to spatial and temporal heterogeneities be placed in common currency? Is it possible rank the relative importance of habitat features on organism's behavior ecology? Do effects interact predictable ways? To address these questions, we quantified hyrax use series rocky outcrops (koppies) an isolated gorge Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa. We measured hyraxes’ perceptions feeding opportunities costs using...
Herbivores balance forage acquisition with the need to avoid predation, often leading tradeoffs between forgoing resources areas of high predation risk, or tolerating increased risk in exchange for improved forage. The outcome these decisions is likely change varying resource levels, herbivores altering their response across heterogeneous landscapes. Such contrasting responses will alter strength non‐consumptive effects, but are poorly understood multiple‐predator/multiple‐prey systems. We...
Abstract An animal's pattern of habitat use can reveal how different parts its environment vary in quality based on the costs (such as predation risk) and benefits food intake) using each habitat. We studied klipspringer Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa giving‐up densities (GUDs; amount remaining a resource patch following exploitation) experimental patches. tested hypotheses related to salient variables might influence klipspringers' perceptions foraging costs. At small spatial...
Acquiring greater understanding of the factors causing changes in vegetation structure -- particularly with potential to cause regime shifts is important adaptively managed conservation areas. Large trees (> or =5 m height) play an ecosystem function, and are associated a stable ecological state African savanna. There concern that large tree densities declining number protected areas, including Kruger National Park, South Africa. In this paper results field study designed monitor change...
At present considerable effort is being made to document and describe invertebrate diversity as part of numerous biodiversity conservation research projects. In order determine diversity, rapid effective sampling estimation procedures are required these need be standardized for a particular group organisms allow comparisons between studies habitat types. The savanna biome one the largest most important in Africa; however, it also poorly studied, especially terms invertebrates. This study was...