Differentiation in mineral constituents in elephant selected versus unselected water and soil resources at Central African bais (forest clearings)

作者：Sienne Julia Metsio^*; Buchwald Rainer; Wittemyer George

来源：European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2014, 60(2): 377-382.

DOI：10.1007/s10344-013-0781-0

• African forest elephant
• Geophagy
• Limiting factors
• Nutrition
• Spatial heterogeneity

Natural forest clearings (bais) in the Central African rain forest attract large numbers of mammals. Little is known about the factors influencing bai use by forest species, though geophagy and hydro-mineral resources are assumed to be important attractants. In the present study, clay and mineral concentrations in water and soil were examined at 15 bais. Water samples from elephant excavated pits showed significantly higher concentrations of most minerals sampled relative to surface waters. But mineral portfolios varied markedly between bais. Geophagy sites were less differentiated from control soil samples, leading to the interpretation that geophagy may not structure bai visitation. Monthly sampling of pit water at one bai suggested higher dry season mineral concentrations, which may relate to seasonal wildlife visitation patterns. The complexity and variability in bai-specific mineral resources suggest there is not a single determining factor (or mineral) driving bai use. The protection of bai mosaics should be a conservation priority in order to ensure access to the portfolio of minerals likely required by endangered species such as the African forest elephant Loxodonta africana cyclotis.

• 出版日期2014-4