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Dissertations
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Dissertation Ideas
The effects that large grazing
mammals have on small mammal densities and diversity
Background
information: One of the fundamental questions in ecology
is whether large mammal abundance controls small mammal
abundance or visa versa. In respect of large grazing
antelope and small mammals they are competing for the same
food source for the majority of the year. It has often been
the subject of conversation on the reserve that if there was
ever a population explosion of small mammals due to idealist
environmental conditions, would this effect the carrying
capacity of large grazing mammals on the reserve. On the
other hand, would the occurrence of large grazing mammals
throughout the reserve prevent such an explosion to occur.
Mankwe is
made up of a mosaic of grassland with different burn histories.
From both observation and past research, the age of the burnsite
has a direct effect on the large mammal utilisation. The reserve
is therefore an ideal location to trap small mammals in areas of
different grazing intensities. A diverse range of techniques
could be used, resulting in a large amount of data. Capture,
mark recapture methods for calculating small mammal densities,
large mammal transects and secondary signs survey methods, veld
condition indexes and grazing value evaluations are all
methodologies that could be considered for such a project.
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Large mammal utilisation of
burnsites across Mankwe
Background
information: Much work has been done on large mammal
movements in response to burning. Due to the resulting
fresh grass that occurs after a burn, large mammals tend to
utilise these areas more than areas that were burnt over 2
years previously. Different antelope species have different
dietry requirements and on Mankwe we have both selective
feeders and bulk grazers. Would it be correct to assume
that only the selective feeders are effected as they only
eat new shoots or do bulk grazers take advantage and move
with the burnsites?
A good
reliable project would be to look at the sites with different
burn histories and discover how large grazing mammal utilisation
changes with the age of the burn site and whether it is species
specific. An Nkombi Volunteer in July 2006 undertook this
project and received a 1st for her proposal.
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Mankwe Wildlife
Reserve
P.O. Box 20784
Protea Park
0305
South Africa
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