Habitat use of ungulates in Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
2015
Mamo, Yosef | Addisu Asefa, | Mengesha, Girma
This study was conducted to determine habitat use, distribution and diversity of five ungulate species in the Bale Mountains National Park. Habitat use by each ungulate species was assessed using a total count method in 11 vegetation types between August and October 2009. Results showed the ungulates had wide and uneven distribution except for mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) that mainly recorded in Adellay and Dinsho hill open lands. This nyala occupied all of the habitats, while Menelik's bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki) occupied nine habitats. Most species pairs had significant positive correlations regarding habitat use and preferences. Computed similarity index revealed the presence of considerable overlap in habitat among the ungulates (between 28% and 74%). The ungulates' habitat‐use diversity index was 0.57–0.85, and mountain nyala had the highest and Menelik's bushbuck the lowest and the most habitat selective species. However, species known to be grazers had lower overlaps among themselves than between them and browsers, and vice versa reflecting a strategy used to avoid competition in some wildlife. The study provides useful information about ungulates and their habitats in the area. However, future research that focus on their feeding behaviour is needed to enhance our understanding of the ungulates relationships with their habitat.
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