Herbivore abundance and distribution in relation to seasonal water and forage availability in Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, northern Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23303617Keywords:
Feeding guilds, Grazers, Mixed feeders., Plants ground cover, Water pointsAbstract
Understanding the spatial and seasonal dynamics of wild and livestock herbivores is critical for managing rangelands. However, variability in resource availability and its influence on herbivore distribution across feeding guilds (grazers and mixed feeders) in the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (EWMA) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to (i) map herbivore distribution across feeding guilds, (ii) assess seasonal variation in herbivore abundance, and (iii) model the effects of seasonality, feeding guild, plant ground cover, and distance to water on herbivore abundance. Field surveys were conducted during the dry (January–February 2025) and wet (March–May 2025) seasons using systematic line transects. GPS coordinates of observed water points were recorded; herbivore distribution and abundance were assessed through direct counts around water, while forage availability was estimated from percentage plant ground cover. Spatial patterns were analyzed using QGIS, seasonal differences were assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and generalized linear models with a negative binomial distribution were used to evaluate the effects of water and forage availability on herbivore abundance. Wild and livestock herbivores showed aggregation around water and limited forage during the dry season, with more dispersed distributions during the wet season. Only 24 of 39 water points had water during the dry season, compared to all 39 during the wet season. Six herbivore species (two livestock, four wild) were recorded. Mean plant ground cover was 17% in the dry season and 75% in the wet season. Livestock grazers and mixed feeders, and wild grazers and mixed feeders, were significantly abundant during the dry season (p < 0.001). Herbivore abundances were significantly lower during the wet season and varied among feeding guilds, while higher abundance was associated with reduced plant ground cover. Distance to water did not substantially affect abundance. These data highlight resource availability as a key driver of herbivore distribution and abundance, pointing to the need to manage grazing pressure and protect dry-season resource areas to promote wildlife–livestock coexistence.
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