The dynamics of pasture use by wildebeest (and cattle) in the Amboseli Basin

Abstract

The study has two main component : population ecology and pasture use These are fused together for probable implications of density-dependent regulation on wildebeest and cattle populations in the study area. Asa basis to this study, the vegetation and ecology of pastures in the study area discussed. Rainfall is considered as the main underlying factor in determining the available food resource and animal movements in both the dry and wet season ecosystems, Under such circumstances. rainfall records over a 5 year period air compared and these records suggest that possibly 1973 was a drier year. The implications of these climatic variations are discussed in relation to pasture use and animal density in the basin. The numbers of wildebeest and cattle populations in the basin and methods used for estimation of numbers are discussed. Emphasis is however. mainly on wildebeest and data on age determination, mortality,reproduction and life table are discussed