BR006-09: Individual identification of the endangered Black Rhinoceros based on footprints
Reinhard JE*, Hanafi J, Gamativa G, Reinhard H (Nov. 2009)
* Biological Research in Kuzikus Email Abstract:The south western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) is categorised as endangered species at the IUCN red list since numbers rapidly declined the last 40 years. Regular monitoring on nature reserves is crucial for black rhino conservation. One method that proved to be successful on Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve is tracking. The method simply follows the animals’ footprints until it is seen, however requires great experience and specialised knowledge mainly only possessed by native trackers, such as the San from the Caprivi, Northern Namibia. The current study used photographs of footprints of nine black rhinos for individual identification with the help of San Furthermore footprint images were collected for the establishment of user-friendly software (Footprint Identification Technique), run by the WildTrack team.
Introduction: The Poaceae family is a hugely successful group of plants that comprises 600 genera and some 10,000 species. The Poaceae have radiated throughout the planet and play crucial roles in many ecosystems. Around 150 species occur in Namibia. Their respective forage value has been well documented (Müller, 2007), but their biological and ecological functions are poorly characterized. The species inventory on Kuzikus is preliminary and incomplete, and knowledge on their abundance and distribution remains fragmented. Aims: (i) to expand the species list and build a herbarium (constituting reference material); (ii) to setup a pilot study to map species occurrence and relative abundance in open grassland. Results: Twenty-four species representing 11 distinct genera were collected from four distinct habitats (open grassland, bush, waterhole, and salt-pan) and identified. Most species were perennial and belonged to the Stipagrostis, Eragrostis and Aristida genera. Datasheets and a quadrate were constructed, and a sampling method using line transects was designed (Sutherland, 2006). Occurrence and abundance of 7 grass species (3 annual and 4 perennial) was determined over a 3600 meter-long transect. Results revealed patchy patterns in vegetation distribution, with for instance localized occurrence in the perennial E. lehmanniana and dominance of the annual E. cylindriflora, respectively indicators of healthy and disturbed grassland. Future prospects: This work serves as a basis for further completion of a Kuzikus flora, and for improved and larger-scale studies of grass habitats. Results will be integrated with data from other projects (mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects) for a comprehensive study of Kuzikus biodiversity and management of the reserve.
Abstract: An estimation of larger herbivore abundance has important game management implications for wildlife managers in Africa. The current study compared different methods to estimate animal density in Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert in Namibia. The aim was to estimate animal abundance accurately and test the suitability of methods. The number of tracks and pellets on cleared areas around waterholes (clearance plots) proved to be an unreliable index method, but can be useful for information about rare species occurrence and distribution. The indexes obtained via road detections coincided with the line transect data used for a distance sampling analysis for the Springbok. Index methods, such as road detections are recommended to perform in addition to a distance sampling analysis as this can provide information about bias. Finally, distance sampling was employed to obtain an accurate estimate of abundance, calculating a detection probability curve for three species. Abundance and density was estimated for species with sufficient detections including the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella), the Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and the Blesbok (Damaliscus pyrgagus phillipsi). Management implications are discussed.
Abstract: The overall aim of this project is the study of Ant-Acacia interactions in a Namibian Savannah ecosystem. In this symbiotic relationship ants receive food rewards and shelter within swollen thorns, whilst the Acacia is protected from herbivore damage by aggressive ant defenses. Although ant-plant interactions are widespread in tropical forests they are rarely found in savannah. The exceptions to this are the African Acacia species. So far the only African Acacia to have received detailed scientific attention is the Acacia drepanolobium. The bulk of this information had been recorded at one field site in Laikipia, Kenya. The overall aim of conducting research at Kuzikus is to study ant-Acacia interactions at a new location and on novel Acacia species.
Abstract: Mammals have a key role on community structure and ecosystem functioning. While herbivory can greatly shape a landscape, carnivores can have a large impact on other animal populations’ structure and number. For these reasons, knowing size and distribution of populations of large mammals is essential for reserve management and conservation efforts. There are several techniques to obtain such information, either by direct observation of the individuals, or by surveying animal signs. This pilot-study aimed to compare two survey methods - 1) distance sampling survey of live mammals, 2) survey of mammal pellets and tracks – at saltpan and waterhole habitats in the south corner of Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve, Namibia. This study also intended to determine differences in large mammal distribution due to vegetation type and density.Results: This research observed that live mammals were more often present in the study areas during the afternoons than during the morning hours and that more animal signs were found after an exposure time of 6 days compared to an exposure time of 36 hours. Additionally, more live individuals were seen in areas were the dominant tree species was the Camel Thorn, Acacia erioloba. Furthermore, this study found that the mammal species more abundant in the study area were large ungulates such as Wildebeest, Connochaetes spp.,Oryx, Oryx gazella, and Burchell’s zebra, Equus burchellii. Members of the Canidae and Felidae families were never seen during the field surveys.
Abstract: Field work to identify the species of bird in Kuzikus in February 2009 resulted in detection of 99 species with volunteers and 122 species including field work in March. This is 42.8% of the number of species that might occur in the area (285). In total we detected species from 23 orders. Almost half of the species detected (40.8%) belong to the order of Passeriformes. It is expected that Kuzikus holds more species, as most intensive sampling was done in the South corner of Kuzikus only, as supposed to the total area of Kuzikus. Species were detected using point and line transects at two different sites (waterhole and savannah), whereby the savannah habitat was studied more intensively. The area comprised about 1500ha and was divided into three equal-sized strata in order to detect possible vegetation differences between strata. Generally, the line transect method is the easier method in collecting reliable data for animal abundance, as time spend in the field is considerably less and assumptions for the distance analysis are less likely to be violated. However, due to too few lines in the study area, the distance analysis of common species in Kuzikus proved unreliable. Point transect estimates in turn might have been overestimated, as there was movement prior detection and observer differences in distance estimation. However, more data was collected during point counts as longer time in the field increased detection probability of birds. The density estimation is based on point transect data; however, it needs to be treated with care. The current study served as a pilot study to improve study design and data collection in field for future project.
Preliminary observations on black rhino (D. bicornis bicornis) footprints in Kuzikus
Contina A (Feb - Mar 2009)
Interested in employing FIT (Footprint Identification Technique), I believe that Kuzikus will have important benefits from this for the following reasons:
1) Improved understanding of animal interactions at the intra and inter species level will support any management decisions
2) Qualified researcher in the field can promote education and wildlife conservation awareness
3) The black rhinos and the implementation of their conservation might be presented to the public as a flag species allowing further protection to other animal species living in Kuzikus
4) Innovative conservation management strategies might be able to attract new sponsors and get more financial support for scientific research and conservation plans.
Reinhard JE, Skeats AM (Jan, 2008): Insect Collection
Since identification of insects to the species level is extremely difficult, most specimens have been grouped into families and orders. All collected specimens were dead and collected from ponds, where the location was marked with GPS-coordinates. Labels included scientific name (mostly only Family or Genus), location, date, and name of the collector. In total we found insects from 10 different orders including Odonata, Blattodea, Mantodea, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera.
Skeats AM, Reinhard JE (Feb, 2008): Impala skeleton
The skeleton of a female impala was found dead and completely decomposed only by Athropods. Therefore, not only were most bones still present, but also relatively clean. Bones were first cleaned and labelled. The skeleton was build together by copper wire (different sizes) and holes were drilled with an electric drill. The skeleton is displayed for tourists and will be the first item in our museum!
Reinhard BR, Skeats AM, Reinhard JE (Jan-Mar 2008): Ants and Acacias
Ant-acacia symbiosis is a common phenomenum, whereby both species seem to be interdependent on each other. Acacia trees provide nests for ants, which typically consists of swollen thorn bases that are hollow. Residents ants in turn defend the plant from herbivory and encrouching vegetation.
In Africa most research has been done in East-Africa, however, on Kuzikus we observed a possible ant-acacia symbiosis. Seven Acacia species have been identified. The four most common ones are A.erioloba, A. karroo, A. hebeclada, and A. melifera.
