Resource utilization by the Kori bustard in the Serengeti ecosystem

PLoS One. 2019 Sep 4;14(9):e0221035. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221035. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the movement behaviour and utilization distributions of Kori bustards in space and time in the Serengeti ecosystem. A total of 14 individuals were tracked with the aid of GPS (Geographical positioning system) satellite transmitters, and their sexes were identified using DNA analysis. A species utilization distribution was estimated using the Brownian bridge movement model (hereafter dBBMM) in which the probability of being in an area is conditioned by starting and ending (GPS) relocations. Resource selections were analysed by comparing the GPS relocations with locations randomly placed within each individual's region of utilization in a spatio-temporal approach. Vegetation information was derived from a Serengeti GIS vegetation map and Data Centre and was reclassified as Open grassland, Dense grassland, Shrubbed grassland, Treed grassland, Shrubland, and Woodland. The Shannon diversity index for vegetation was calculated based on the original vegetation classification. Used versus non-used habitats were contrasted using a generalized linear mixed-effects model with a binomial distribution. The results indicated that males were 21.5% more mobile than females, and movements were 6.3% more diffuse during the non-breeding period compared to the breeding period (7.59 versus 7.14, respectively). Contrasting models indicated that males preferred more open grasslands during the non-breeding period and also preferred closed and shrubbed grassland during the breeding period. Females preferred more woody vegetation during the non-breeding season compared to the breeding season. The most parsimonious model indicated that females preferred to stay closer to rivers and diverse areas during the non-breeding period whereas males preferred areas that were farther from rivers and homogenous. Homogeneous areas were preferred during the breeding period, and heterogeneous areas were preferred during the non-breeding period. We conclude that the movement behaviours of Kori bustards changes with the season and habitat. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving the seasonal movement of Kori bustards in the Serengeti ecosystem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Male
  • Natural Resources*
  • Parks, Recreational*
  • Tanzania

Grants and funding

Emmanuel Mmassy received funds from the Government of Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their financial support through an IPBES project (Intergovernmental Platform of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), the Kori bustard Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the USA, the Jacksonville Zoo in the USA, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) for contributing 6 transmitters (i.e., approximately NOK 60000) and during the write-up of thesis work I received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 641918 (AfricanBioServices). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.