Elephant Movement Closely Tracks Precipitation-driven Vegetation Dynamics In A Kenyan Forest-savanna Landscape. (2014)

This study investigates the ranging behavior of elephants in relation to precipitation-driven dynamics of vegetation.

Journal

Movement Ecology

Author(s)

Bohrer, G., Beck, P.S.A., Ngene, S.M.,, Skidmore, A.K., Douglas-Hamilton I.

Date Published 2014precipitationdrivenvegetation

Movement Ecology 2014, 2:2 doi:10.1186/2051-3933-2-2 The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.movementecologyjournal.com/content/2/1/2

Summary

This study investigates the ranging behavior of elephants in relation to precipitation-driven dynamics of vegetation. Movement data were acquired for five bachelors and five female family herds during three years in the Marsabit protected area in Kenya and changes in vegetation were mapped using MODIS normalized difference vegetation index time series (NDVI). In the study area, elevations of 650 to 1100 m.a.s.l experience two growth periods per year, while above 1100 m.a.s.l. growth periods last a year or longer.

View the publication