Dry season herbivore utilization of open grasslands in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

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dc.creatorChomba, Chansa
dc.creatorSenzota, Ramadhani. B.M
dc.creatorChabwela, Harry
dc.creatorMwitwa, Jacob
dc.creatorNyirenda, Vincent
dc.date2016-09-21T12:19:42Z
dc.date2016-09-21T12:19:42Z
dc.date2011-11
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-03T13:30:12Z
dc.date.available2021-05-03T13:30:12Z
dc.descriptionUtilisation of open grassland plains by large herbivores (≥100 kg) and harvester ants (Messor capensis) in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia was assessed every September from 1997 to 2007. A point intercept method was used to estimate percent cover for grass, shrub, bare, litter, herbivore droppings and presence of harvester ants in the Jeki open grassland vegetation community as indicators of range condition. Results showed a reduction in grass cover from 35% in 1997 to 10% in 2007 while litter remained stable. Incidence of herbivore droppings and harvester ants showed a decline while shrub cover and species composition of shrubs increased significantly. As grass cover and grass species composition declined, herbivore droppings and incidence of harvester ants also decreased. Unpalatable species such as Vernonia spp. were assumed to be signs of poor quality range. Increase in bush encroachment indicated heavy utilization by herbivores in the dry season when quality of range deteriorated as a consequence of over utilization of grass species. Further research is required to determine population estimates and grazing capacity of key herbivores such as buffalo (Syncerus caffer).
dc.identifierChomba, C., Senzota, R., Chabwela, H., Mwitwa, J. and Nyirenda, V., 2012. Dry season herbivore utilization of open grasslands in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 4(1), pp.33-41.
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/3809
dc.identifier10.5897/JENE11.118
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/3809
dc.languageen
dc.subjectRange utilization
dc.subjectOvergrazing
dc.subjectFlood plains
dc.subjectValley floor
dc.subjectShrub encroachment.
dc.titleDry season herbivore utilization of open grasslands in Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Reviewed

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Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation