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Explaining elephant (Loxodonta africana) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) spatial distribution in the Zambezi Valley using maximum entropy modelling

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  • Matawa, Farai
  • Murwira, Amon
  • Schmidt, Karin S.

Abstract

We used the maximum entropy (MAXENT) technique to explore how anthropogenic and physical factors influence the habitat of elephants and buffalo in a Southern African savanna landscape. Results show that for both species the distance to agricultural fields is the most important factor determining the choice of habitat. Without having used the nature reserves’ and conservancy's boundary as an input in the maximum entropy model, the model was mapping out the high probability of buffalo and elephant presence to coincide within their boundaries. The analysis of the habitat condition show that higher presence of wildlife in the nature reserves compared with cultivated areas is not dependent on the abundance of green biomass, proximity to surface water, or terrain slope, since these do not significantly differ between nature reserves and communal lands. We conclude that the presence of agricultural fields contributes more in shaping the habitats of both buffalo and elephant than other environmental variables. In the communal lands where the agricultural fields are concentrated along the rivers elephants and buffalo are pushed away from the rivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Matawa, Farai & Murwira, Amon & Schmidt, Karin S., 2012. "Explaining elephant (Loxodonta africana) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) spatial distribution in the Zambezi Valley using maximum entropy modelling," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 189-197.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:242:y:2012:i:c:p:189-197
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2012.05.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gaikwad, Jitendra & Wilson, Peter D. & Ranganathan, Shoba, 2011. "Ecological niche modeling of customary medicinal plant species used by Australian Aborigines to identify species-rich and culturally valuable areas for conservation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(18), pages 3437-3443.
    2. Reside, April E. & Watson, Ian & VanDerWal, Jeremy & Kutt, Alex S., 2011. "Incorporating low-resolution historic species location data decreases performance of distribution models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(18), pages 3444-3448.
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    Cited by:

    1. Keretz, Shay S. & Woolnough, Daelyn A. & Morris, Todd J. & Roseman, Edward F. & Zanatta, David T., 2024. "Habitat modelling of native freshwater mussels distinguishes river specific differences in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers of the Laurentian Great Lakes," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 487(C).
    2. Kaszta, Żaneta & Marino, Jorgelina & Ramoelo, Abel & Wolff, Eléonore, 2016. "Bulk feeder or selective grazer: African buffalo space use patterns based on fine-scale remotely sensed data on forage quality and quantity," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 323(C), pages 115-122.

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