Does the Luangwa Hippo Population Size and Density Distribution Vary between Upper and Lower Study Blocks? What Are the Management Implications of Such Distribution Pattern?  

作　　者：Chansa Chomba Twakundine Simpamba George Kampamba Vincent Nyirenda 

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

出　　处：《Open Journal of Ecology》2014年第5期262-280,共19页生态学期刊（英文）

摘　　要：The pattern of population distribution of the common hippopotamus was examined along the 165 km stretch of the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia. The study area was divided between the upper (A-D) and lower (E-H) study blocks. Population data are collected between 1976-2008 and this study 2009-2012 showed a significant difference in the pattern of density distribution between upper and lower study blocks. Upper blocks had higher density of 41/km than lower blocks 29/km. Length of study blocks was discounted as density was used to determine distribution pattern. Results obtained suggest that primary production in each study block as influenced by river geomorphologic features such as river bends and confluences characterized higher hippopotamus density in the upper blocks. Further research is required to investigate other factors that may have interplayed with food (above ground grass biomass) and river meander features to separate upper and lower blocks.The pattern of population distribution of the common hippopotamus was examined along the 165 km stretch of the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia. The study area was divided between the upper (A-D) and lower (E-H) study blocks. Population data are collected between 1976-2008 and this study 2009-2012 showed a significant difference in the pattern of density distribution between upper and lower study blocks. Upper blocks had higher density of 41/km than lower blocks 29/km. Length of study blocks was discounted as density was used to determine distribution pattern. Results obtained suggest that primary production in each study block as influenced by river geomorphologic features such as river bends and confluences characterized higher hippopotamus density in the upper blocks. Further research is required to investigate other factors that may have interplayed with food (above ground grass biomass) and river meander features to separate upper and lower blocks.

关 键 词：Common HIPPOPOTAMUS Pattern Density UPPER BLOCKS LOWER BLOCKS 

分 类 号：R73[医药卫生—肿瘤]