Effects of land-cover dynamics on the foraging ecology of amboseli yellow baboons (papio cynocephalus, linnaeus 1766)
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Date
2003
Authors
Oremo, David Walter Odede
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The status of land-cover is of prime concern to spatial ecologists and
wildlife conservationists. This study used Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
to analyze land-cover changes that have characterised the Amboseli basin, situated
in southern Kenya, over a 16-year period. The land-cover maps of 1984 and 2000
were derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images at spatial resolution of
900 m2. Automated digital image processing and segmentation techniques were
used to delineate the mapping units corresponding to twelve prior defined landcover
types. The dynamics were compared using the mean number, size,
perimeter and fractal dimension of patches. The conservation significance of the
maps is illustrated by evaluating the effects of the land-cover dynamics on
foraging ecology of Amboseli yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus).
The results indicate that significant transition was evident in eight landcover
types that accounted for about 68 per cent of the study area. The study
groups shift their ranging area to the southwestern portion of the basin. The
baboons significantly changed their feeding time budget, increasing the time
allocated to feeding. Significant differences were observed between the groups in
the time spent feeding and mean daily distance travelled. Alto's, the largest group,
spent more .time feeding and travelled the greatest distance in both study years.
The ranging size and pattern was dependent on the group size. The results also
suggest that information sharing may be one of the prime benefits of living in
larger groups for this population. The results are suitable for land-use management applications in the Amboseli basin and baboon habitat suitability modelling,
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science (Animal Ecology) of Kenyatta University, QK 910.O7