Heterogeneity of water physico-chemical characteristics in artificially pumped waterholes: do African herbivores drink at the same locations and does it lead to interference competition?. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferry, Nicolas; Cordonnier, Marion; Hulot, Florence D.; Dakwa, Farisayi; Sebele, Lovelater; Dray, Stéphane; Fritz, Hervé; Valeix, Marion
• Is Part Of: Journal of arid environments. Volume 173(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Interference competition -- Large African herbivores -- Resource quality heterogeneity -- Spatial aggregation -- Semi-arid savanna -- Waterhole scale; Arid regions ecology -- Periodicals; Arid regions -- Periodicals; Écologie des régions arides -- Périodiques; Régions arides -- Périodiques; 577.54
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.104014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1963

Abstract

Abstract: In many semi-arid savanna ecosystems, surface water is scarce and only found in artificially pumped waterholes at the end of the dry season, leading to high large mammal densities and competition. Further, the modification of the physico-chemical characteristics of the drinking water over the dry season (e.g. through faeces accumulation) could enhance competition. Indeed, elephants, considered as key-competitors, and other herbivores by aggregating near the trough where clear water arrives could compete for this resource. We studied the drinking locations of eight herbivore species around pumped waterholes in relation to these water characteristics in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. We identified differences of the physico-chemical characteristics of the water in different sections of pumped waterholes at the end of the dry season. Elephants drank the water in or close to the trough, whereas other species drank further in the waterhole, except roan and sable antelopes which were indifferent about where they drank. Interference competition with elephants for the access to water close to the trough was not detected for zebras and kudus. We discuss possible directions for future research to enhance our understanding of waterhole use by herbivores. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Water characteristics (e.g. organic content) depend on the distance to the trough inside artificially pumped waterholes. Large mammal species drink at different distance to the trough, with African elephants drinking closer to the trough. Other herbivore species drink far from the trough, except sable and roan antelopes which drink at position very variable. Only kudus and zebra drink along with elephants, but they do not drink closer to the trough when elephants are absent. No temporal or spatial interference competition with elephants for the water close to the trough was observed.