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Wildebeest Ecological Dynamics in the CKGR: the Implications for Potential Isolation from the Wider Kalahari

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Wildebeest Ecological Dynamics in the CKGR: the Implications for Potential Isolation from the Wider Kalahari Wildebeest ecological dynamics in the CKGR: The implications for potential isolation from the wider Kalahari ecosystem By Moses Selebatso Student Number 201208140 A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resource Management University of Botswana, Okavango Research Institute Maun, Botswana Supervisors: Dr Richard W.S. Fynn and Dr Glyn Maude September 2017 Disclaimer I declare that work contained in this dissertation was completed by myself at the Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, between 01st August 2012 and 30th April 2017. The dissertation contains some journal articles, with co-authors. I also declare that data collection, analysis, key ideas and write up was conducted by myself. My supervisors (co-authors) provided guidance and corrections as required by the University regulations. The dissertation is an original work except where due reference is made and neither has been nor will be submitted for the award of any other University. Signature ____________________ Date _____________________ ii Dedication For my wife I dedicated this work to “the bone of my bones”, for your support, for believing in me, and the strength I always got from you. iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank Kalahari Research and Conservation for securing and providing most of the funds for my study. I am grateful for the financial support from Denver Zoo Foundation, SAVE Wildlife Conservation Fund, Comanis Foundation, Kanabo Conservation Link, Wilderness Wildlife Trust, and Office of Research and Development (University of Botswana). Dr Richard Reading, Ms Corinne Itten, Mr Anton Van Schalkwyk and Mr Lars Gorschlueter, your genuine love and passion for the Kalahari inspired you enough to support this project. I sincerely thank you. Dr Glyn Maude, I appreciate your leadership and uncompromised commitment in pulling resources together for the success of the study. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors Dr Richard W.S. Fynn and Dr Glyn Maude for their invaluable guidance and support throughout my study. Dr Maude and Dr Fynn were very instrumental in guiding the development of my project to the final dissertation writing up. Dr Maude’s unbelievable faith in my scientific ability was inspirational enough to push me when the road seemed too rough and too long. Dr Fynn held my hand and made me believe in that I was capable. They both gave me a platform to express myself and grow academically. I thank Dr Emily Bennitt who guided the statistical analysis and development of most Chapter Three. Her indispensable skills in R ensured that I met scientific standards. She completed my supervision committee perfectly. I thank Dr Mmadi Reuben, Dr John Mhongovoyo, Dr Rob Jackson and Dr Mark Bing for their professionalism in handling of darting and collaring of the study animals. I appreciate the logistical support in the field from the Kalahari Research and Conservation and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Bigfoot Tours, Tau Pan Lodge, Leopard Ecology and Conservation, and Kalahari Plains Lodge for iv accommodation and support during fieldwork. I thank the University of Botswana (Okavango Research Institute, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Physics Departments), Botswana College of Agriculture, and Department of Agricultural Research for access and assistance with their laboratories in samples preparations and analysis. I thank all the technicians in the respective laboratories who were very helpful. A big thank you to my research assistant Mr Thandi David for his invaluable support. We followed wildebeests and collected samples in the gorging heat and rough terrain of the Central Kalahari. May your soul rest in peace. I thank the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resource Conservation and Tourism (MENT) for a research permit to conduct my research. I am grateful for the park entry, darting and collaring permits, support and guidance from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. I also thank the Department of Meteorological Services for providing the temperature data for the study area. I am grateful of the support from the Okavango Research Institute staff and students. Your comments to my proposal and presentations challenged me and sharpened my skills and confidence. I would like to thank my dear wife for her patience, inspiration and support throughout the study. Days and nights away in the field turned you into a single mother when you needed me most. A thank you is just not good enough. Indeed, “behind every successful man there is a woman.” Lastly, I wish to thank my friends and relatives for providing support to my family during my study. My siblings-in-law, particularly Boikobo Gaobinelwe, have always made my absence from home less stressful for my family. May the almighty bless you. v Table of Contents Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................. ii Dedication.............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................iv Abstract ................................................................................................................................ vii Thesis Outline ........................................................................................................................ x Chapter One: General Introduction ........................................................................................ 1 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Habitat fragmentation and loss ................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Landscape Heterogeneity and Herbivore foraging behaviour ............................................. 6 1.3 Water provision in dryland ecosystem..................................................................................... 9 1.4 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................... 13 1.5 Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 15 1.6 General material and methods ............................................................................................... 16 1.6.1 Study area .............................................................................................................................. 16 1.6.2 General study design ............................................................................................................ 19 1.7 References ................................................................................................................................ 22 Chapter Two: Adaptive activity patterns of a blue wildebeest population to environmental variability in fragmented, semi-arid Kalahari, Botswana. Short Communication. Journal of Arid Environments, published .............................................................................................. 36 Chapter Three: Water provision alters wildebeest adaptive habitat selection and resilience in the Central Kalahari, African Journal of Ecology, published https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12439 ............................................................................................................................................ 48 Chapter Four: Sympatric ungulates dietary overlap: Food resource competition for a blue wildebeest population in the Central Kalahari, Botswana African Journal of Wildlife Research, Under Revision .................................................................................................................... 76 Chapter Five: Quality of water available for wildlife in the Central Kalahari and its potential effects to wildlife populations, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Under review ................ 98 Chapter Six: Synthesis....................................................................................................... 115 6.0 Foreword .................................................................................................................................. 115 6.1 Major Findings and Discussions........................................................................................... 116 6.2 Management implications for the CKGR and other arid ecosystems ............................. 130 6.3 Limitations of the research .................................................................................................... 132 6.4 Overall Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 134 6.5 References .............................................................................................................................. 135 6.6 Appendix One: Authors contributions .................................................................................. 143 vi Abstract Survival of wildlife populations in arid savannahs depends on their mobility in regard to habitat heterogeneity as an adaptive response to large spatial and temporal resource variability over the annual cycle and with climatic change. The historic main wet season range of
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