Response of native ungulates to drought in semi-arid Kenyan rangeland - Augustine - 2010 - African Journal of Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Response of native ungulates to drought in semi-arid Kenyan rangeland - Augustine - 2010 - African Journal of Ecology - Wiley Online Library: "The distribution and abundance of native ungulates were measured on commercially managed, semi-arid rangeland in central Kenya over a 3-year period that encompassed severe drought and above-average rainfall. Native ungulate biomass density averaged 5282 kg km−2 over the study and was dominated by elephant (Loxodonta africana), impala (Aepyceros melampus) and dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii). Biomass density of domestic cattle (Bos taurus) averaged 2280 kg km−2 during the study. Responses of native ungulates to severe drought were variable. Impala densities were similar to or greater than densities for similar habitat in protected areas, and varied from 12 to 16 km−2 during and following the drought to 24–29 km−2 following above-average rainfall. Dik-dik densities were also greater than densities reported for protected areas and were surprisingly stable throughout the study despite the wide annual fluctuations in rainfall."