Impala, Aepyceros melampus: does browse quality influence their use of sites originally utilised as short-duration kraals in a southern African savanna?
Rangarirai Huruba A B E , Peter J. Mundy A , Allan Sebata A , Gianetta K. Purchase C and Duncan N. MacFadyen DA Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
B Debshan Ranch, PO Box 24, Shangani, Zimbabwe.
C PO Box 2633, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
D E Oppenheimer and Son (Pty) Limited, 6 St Andrew’s Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa.
E Corresponding author. Email: rhuruba@gmail.com
The Rangeland Journal 39(2) 113-121 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16016
Submitted: 25 September 2015 Accepted: 5 January 2017 Published: 31 January 2017
Abstract
In eastern and southern Africa, some ranch owners are now keeping cattle overnight in temporary corrals (hereafter referred to as kraals) within rangelands for short durations to improve grass production. However, this has profound effects on the woody plant community. For instance, cattle break woody plant stems and strip them of foliage, initiating resprouting. The resprouts produced have high foliar nitrogen (N) and reduced condensed tannin (CT) concentrations, making them attractive to herbivores. The aim of this study was to determine the key nutrient-quality parameters of resprouts that make previously kraaled sites attractive to impala soon after cattle removal at Debshan Ranch in central Zimbabwe. We determined resprout length, foliar N, phosphorus (P), potassium, CT, fibre and rumen fermentation of three browse species, viz. Grewia monticola Sond., Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight and Arn., and related them to impala use of previously kraaled sites. We used impala dung density to determine the use patterns of previously kraaled sites 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after cattle removal and compared them with the surrounding vegetation. Impala use of previously kraaled sites was highest 4 weeks after cattle removal and lowest in the surrounding vegetation. Resprout length increments were 6-fold over a 10-week growth period in all three woody species. Foliar N and P were generally higher, whereas CT was lower, in previously kraaled sites than the surrounding vegetation in all three of the plant browse species. Impala use of previously kraaled sites showed a strong negative relationship with foliar CT. We conclude that kraaling initiates strong resprout responses by woody plants soon after cattle removal, to produce resprouts of high nutrient quality, which attract herbivores such as impala.
Additional keywords: defoliation, disturbance, foraging, rangelands.
References
AOAC (2012). ‘Official Methods of Analysis.’ 19th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists: Arlington, VA.)Augustine, D. J. (2004). Influence of cattle management on habitat selection by impala on central Kenyan rangeland. The Journal of Wildlife Management 68, 916–923.
| Influence of cattle management on habitat selection by impala on central Kenyan rangeland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Augustine, D. J., Veblen, K. E., Goheen, J. R., Riginos, C., and Young, T. P. (2011). Pathways for positive cattle-wildlife interactions in semi-arid rangelands. In: ‘Conserving Wildlife in African Landscapes: Kenya’s Ewaso Ecosystem’. (Ed. N. Georgiadis.) pp. 55–71. (Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press: Washington, DC.)
Barnes, R. F. W. (2001). How reliable are dung counts for estimating elephant numbers? African Journal of Ecology 39, 1–9.
| How reliable are dung counts for estimating elephant numbers?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bergström, R. (1992). Browse characteristics and impact of browsing on trees and shrubs in African savannas. Journal of Vegetation Science 3, 315–324.
| Browse characteristics and impact of browsing on trees and shrubs in African savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boege, K. (2005). Influence of plant ontogeny on compensation to leaf damage. American Journal of Botany 92, 1632–1640.
| Influence of plant ontogeny on compensation to leaf damage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bond, W. J., and Midgley, J. J. (2003). The evolutionary ecology of sprouting in woody plants. International Journal of Plant Sciences 164, S103–S114.
| The evolutionary ecology of sprouting in woody plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coetsee, C., Stock, W. D., and Craine, J. M. (2011). Do grazers alter nitrogen dynamics on grazing lawns in a South African savannah? African Journal of Ecology 49, 62–69.
| Do grazers alter nitrogen dynamics on grazing lawns in a South African savannah?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crawley, M. J. (1983). ‘The Dynamics of Animal–Plant Interactions.’ (Blackwell: Oxford, UK.)
Duncan, P. (1990). ‘Horses and Grasses: The Nutritional Ecology of Equids and their Impact on the Camargue.’ (Springer: New York.)
Dunham, K. M., Robertson, E. F., and Swanepoel, C. M. (2003). Population decline of tsessebe antelope (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) on a mixed cattle and wildlife ranch in Zimbabwe. Biological Conservation 113, 111–124.
| Population decline of tsessebe antelope (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) on a mixed cattle and wildlife ranch in Zimbabwe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DuToit, J. T., Bryant, J. P., and Frisby, K. (1990). Regrowth and palatability of Acacia shoots following pruning by African savannah browsers. Ecology 71, 149–154.
| Regrowth and palatability of Acacia shoots following pruning by African savannah browsers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ford, A. T., Goheen, J. R., Otieno, T. O., Bidner, L., Isbell, L. A., Palmer, T. M., Ward, D., Woodroffe, R., and Pringle, R. M. (2014). Large carnivores make savanna tree communities less thorny. Science 346, 346–349.
| Large carnivores make savanna tree communities less thorny.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhslChtb3J&md5=aef63851ba97bd2056b16e472c19f529CAS |
Fornara, D. A., and du Toit, J. T. (2007). Browsing lawns? Responses of Acacia nigrescens to ungulate browsing in an African savanna. Ecology 88, 200–209.
| Browsing lawns? Responses of Acacia nigrescens to ungulate browsing in an African savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2s3ot1KgsA%3D%3D&md5=2f8bafaf36b619278cbe7912398ea038CAS |
Frost, P. G. H. (1999). An Ecological Assessment of the Problems of Bush Encroachment and Sodic Soils on Shangani Ranch. Unpublished report, Debshan Ranches, Shangani, Zimbabwe.
Grant, C. C., and Scholes, M. C. (2006). The importance of nutrient hot-spots in the conservationand management of large wild mammalian herbivores in semi-arid savannas. Biological Conservation 130, 426–437.
| The importance of nutrient hot-spots in the conservationand management of large wild mammalian herbivores in semi-arid savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hofmann, R. R. (1989). Evolutionary steps of ecophysiological adaptation and diversification of ruminants: A comparative view of their digestive system. Oecologia 78, 443–457.
| Evolutionary steps of ecophysiological adaptation and diversification of ruminants: A comparative view of their digestive system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holdo, R. M. (2003). Woody plant damage by African elephants in relation to leaf nutrients in western Zimbabwe. Journal of Tropical Ecology 19, 189–196.
| Woody plant damage by African elephants in relation to leaf nutrients in western Zimbabwe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hrabar, H., Hattas, D., and du Toit, J. T. (2009). Differential effects of defoliation by mopane caterpillars and pruning by African elephants on the regrowth of Colophospermum mopane foliage. Journal of Tropical Ecology 25, 301–309.
| Differential effects of defoliation by mopane caterpillars and pruning by African elephants on the regrowth of Colophospermum mopane foliage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jansen, D. A., van Langevelde, F., de Boer, W. F., and Kirkman, K. P. (2007). Optimisation or satiation, testing diet selection rules in goats. Small Ruminant Research 73, 160–168.
| Optimisation or satiation, testing diet selection rules in goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kohi, E. M., de Boer, W. F., Slot, M., Vanwieren, S. E., Ferwerda, J. G., Grant, R. C., Heitkonig, I. M. A., de Knegt, H. J., Knox, N., van Langevelde, F., Peel, M., Slotow, R., van Der Waal, C., and Prins, H. H. T. (2010). Effects of simulated browsing on growth and leaf chemical properties in Colophospermum mopane saplings. African Journal of Ecology 48, 190–196.
| Effects of simulated browsing on growth and leaf chemical properties in Colophospermum mopane saplings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kohi, E. M., de Boer, W. F., Peel, M. J. S., Slotow, R., van der Waal, C., Heitkonig, I. M. A., Skidmore, A., and Prins, H. H. T. (2011). African elephants Loxodonta africana amplify browse heterogeneity in African savanna. Biotropica 43, 711–721.
| African elephants Loxodonta africana amplify browse heterogeneity in African savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lang, C. A. (1958). Simple micro determination of Kjeldahl nitrogen in biological materials. Analytical Chemistry 30, 1692–1694.
| Simple micro determination of Kjeldahl nitrogen in biological materials.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG1MXhslOmtw%3D%3D&md5=585c63dc9b62c794b4a607497481426eCAS |
McNaughton, S. J. (1990). Mineral nutrition and seasonal movement of African migratory ungulates. Nature 345, 613–615.
| Mineral nutrition and seasonal movement of African migratory ungulates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXkvFKnsLs%3D&md5=00af060e7c7c9450c8b71b3f8ee0c6a2CAS |
Menke, K. H., and Steingass, H. (1988). Estimation of the energetic feed value obtained from chemical analysis and in vitro gas production using rumen fluid. Animal Research 23, 103–116.
Moe, S. R., Rutina, L. P., Hytteborn, H., and du Toit, J. T. (2009). What controls woodland regeneration after elephants have killed the big trees? Journal of Applied Ecology 46, 223–230.
| What controls woodland regeneration after elephants have killed the big trees?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mondal, N., and Sukumar, R. (2015). Regeneration of juvenile woody plants after fire in a seasonally dry tropical forest of southern India. Biotropica 47, 330–338.
| Regeneration of juvenile woody plants after fire in a seasonally dry tropical forest of southern India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muchiru, A. N., Western, D. J., and Reid, R. S. (2008). The role of abandoned pastoral settlements in the dynamics of African large herbivore communities. Journal of Arid Environments 72, 940–952.
| The role of abandoned pastoral settlements in the dynamics of African large herbivore communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Owen-Smith, N. (2005). Incorporating fundamental laws of biology and physics into population ecology: the metaphysiological approach. Oikos 111, 611–615.
| Incorporating fundamental laws of biology and physics into population ecology: the metaphysiological approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poorter, L., Kitajima, K., Mercado, P., Chubina, J., Melgar, I., and Prins, H. H. T. (2010). Resprouting as a persistence strategy of tropical forest trees: Relations with carbohydrate storage and shade tolerance. Ecology 91, 2613–2627.
| Resprouting as a persistence strategy of tropical forest trees: Relations with carbohydrate storage and shade tolerance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Porensky, L. M., and Veblen, K. E. (2015). Generation of ecosystem hotspots using short-term cattle corrals in an African Savanna. Rangeland Ecology and Management 68, 131–141.
| Generation of ecosystem hotspots using short-term cattle corrals in an African Savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Prins, H. H. T., and Beekman, J. H. (1989). A balanced diet as a goal of grazing: the food of the Manyara buffalo. African Journal of Ecology 27, 241–259.
Riginos, C., and Grace, J. B. (2008). Savanna tree density, herbivores, and the herbaceous community: bottom-up versus top-down effects. Ecology 89, 2228–2238.
| Savanna tree density, herbivores, and the herbaceous community: bottom-up versus top-down effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rohner, C., and Ward, D. (1997). Chemical and mechanical defence against herbivory in two sympatric species of desert Acacia. Journal of Vegetation Science 8, 717–726.
| Chemical and mechanical defence against herbivory in two sympatric species of desert Acacia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rutina, L. P., Moe, S. R., and Swenson, J. E. (2005). Elephant Loxodonta africana driven woodland conversion to shrubland improves dry-season browse availability for impalas Aepycerosmelampus. Wildlife Biology 11, 207–213.
| Elephant Loxodonta africana driven woodland conversion to shrubland improves dry-season browse availability for impalas Aepycerosmelampus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sebata, A., and Ndlovu, L. R. (2012). Effect of shoot morphology on browse selection by free ranging goats in a semi-arid savanna. Livestock Science 144, 96–102.
| Effect of shoot morphology on browse selection by free ranging goats in a semi-arid savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sharam, G., Sinclair, A. R. E., and Turkington, R. (2006). Establishment of broad-leaved thickets in Serengeti, Tanzania: The influence of fire, browsers, grass competition, and elephants. Biotropica 38, 599–605.
| Establishment of broad-leaved thickets in Serengeti, Tanzania: The influence of fire, browsers, grass competition, and elephants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sibanda, P., Sebata, A., Mufandaedza, E., and Mawanza, M. (2017). Effect of short-duration overnight cattle kraaling on grass production in a southern African savanna. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 33, 217–223.
| Effect of short-duration overnight cattle kraaling on grass production in a southern African savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Skarpe, C., and Hester, A. J. (2008). Plant traits, browsing and grazing herbivores, and vegetation dynamics. In: ‘The Ecology of Browsing and Grazing’. (Eds I. J. Gordon and H. H. T. Prins.) pp. 217–61. (Springer: Berlin.)
Styles, C. V., and Skinner, J. D. (1997). Seasonal variation in the quality of mopane leaves as a source of browse for mammalian herbivores. African Journal of Ecology 35, 254–265.
Tolsma, D. J., Ernst, W. H. O., Verveij, R. A., and Vooijs, R. (1987). Seasonal variation in nutrient concentrations in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem in Botswana. Journal of Ecology 75, 755–770.
| Seasonal variation in nutrient concentrations in a semi-arid savanna ecosystem in Botswana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXjs1OmtQ%3D%3D&md5=a6eeb4cbaa1325fdec18f3734e816b00CAS |
Umunna, N. N., Nsahlai, I. V., and Osuji, P. O. (1995). Degradability of forage protein supplements and their effect on the kinetics of digestion and passage. Small Ruminant Research 17, 145–152.
| Degradability of forage protein supplements and their effect on the kinetics of digestion and passage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van der Waal, C., Kool, A., Meijer, S., Kohi, E., Heitkönig, I., de Boer, W., van Langevelde, F., Grant, R., Peel, M., Slotow, R., de Knegt, H., Prins, H., and de Kroon, H. (2011). Large herbivores may alter vegetation structure of semi-arid savannas through soil nutrient mediation. Oecologia 165, 1095–1107.
| Large herbivores may alter vegetation structure of semi-arid savannas through soil nutrient mediation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest, P. J. (1994). ‘Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant.’ 2nd edn. (Comstock Publishing Associates/Cornell University Press: Ithaca, NY, USA.)
Van Soest, P. J. (1996). Allometry and ecology of feeding behaviour and digestive capacity in herbivores: A review. Zoo Biology 15, 455–479.
| Allometry and ecology of feeding behaviour and digestive capacity in herbivores: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., and Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
| Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FnvVCltA%3D%3D&md5=980863e98d91a29865fdaac1635d246bCAS |
Veblen, K. E. (2012). Savanna glade hotspots: plant community development and synergy with large herbivores. Journal of Arid Environments 78, 119–127.
| Savanna glade hotspots: plant community development and synergy with large herbivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Veblen, K. E. (2013). Impacts of traditional livestock corrals on woody plant communities in an East African savanna. The Rangeland Journal 35, 349–353.
| Impacts of traditional livestock corrals on woody plant communities in an East African savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Watanabe, F. S., and Olsen, S. R. (1965). Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in water and NaHCO3 extracts from soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 29, 677–678.
| Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in water and NaHCO3 extracts from soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF28XovVahsA%3D%3D&md5=42eee447646a8433ae3a2db7f37f0ea6CAS |
Waterman, P. G., and Mole, S. (1994) ‘Analysis of Phenolic Plant Metabolites.’ (Blackwell Scientific Publications: Oxford, UK.)
Wessels, I., Waal, C. V. D., and Boer, W. D. (2007). Induced chemical defences in Colophospermum mopane trees. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 24, 141–147.
| Induced chemical defences in Colophospermum mopane trees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Young, T. P., Palmer, T. A., and Gadd, M. E. (2005). Competition and compensation among cattle, zebras, and elephants in a semi-arid savanna in Laikipia, Kenya. Biological Conservation 122, 351–359.
| Competition and compensation among cattle, zebras, and elephants in a semi-arid savanna in Laikipia, Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zar, J. H. (1999). ‘Biostatistical Analysis.’ 4th edn. (Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA.)