Patterns of nest placement of lappet faced vulture (<i>Torgos tracheliotos</i>) in Lochinvar National Park, Kafue Flats, Zambia  

作　　者：Chansa Chomba Eneya M’simuko Vincent Nyirenda 

机构地区：[1]Department of Research, Zambia Wildlife Authority, Chilanga, Zambia [2]School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Disaster Management Training Centre, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia [3]School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia

出　　处：《Open Journal of Ecology》2013年第6期431-437,共7页生态学期刊（英文）

摘　　要：This study assessed the nesting patterns oflappet faced vulture inLochinvar National Park, on the Kafue flats,Zambia. Road drives and foot patrols were used to identify and take GPS coordinates of lappet faced vulture nests. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to obtain basic breeding information of lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general, 2) to determine size of the breeding population in the National Park, 3) todocument distribution of the nesting sites, 4) tofacilitate development of a monitoring programme that would secure the nesting sites from human disturbance, and 5) to determine availability of suitable nesting sites and major threats that may interfere with breeding. Tree species on which nests were found were identified and height of nest above ground was estimated. A total of 22 nests were recorded with 5 (23%) being lappet faced vulture nests on seven species of trees. The mean height for nest placamenet was10 mabove ground. Host tree physiognomy, size and height were important characteristics in nest placement. Large trees of 10mand above are critical in facilitating nest placement and must be protected in identified breeding sites.This study assessed the nesting patterns oflappet faced vulture inLochinvar National Park, on the Kafue flats,Zambia. Road drives and foot patrols were used to identify and take GPS coordinates of lappet faced vulture nests. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to obtain basic breeding information of lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general, 2) to determine size of the breeding population in the National Park, 3) todocument distribution of the nesting sites, 4) tofacilitate development of a monitoring programme that would secure the nesting sites from human disturbance, and 5) to determine availability of suitable nesting sites and major threats that may interfere with breeding. Tree species on which nests were found were identified and height of nest above ground was estimated. A total of 22 nests were recorded with 5 (23%) being lappet faced vulture nests on seven species of trees. The mean height for nest placamenet was10 mabove ground. Host tree physiognomy, size and height were important characteristics in nest placement. Large trees of 10mand above are critical in facilitating nest placement and must be protected in identified breeding sites.

关 键 词：RAPTORS NEST PLACEMENT Tree Height Lochinvar Kafue Flats Habitat 

分 类 号：R73[医药卫生—肿瘤]