Foraging habitat use by sympatric Cuvier’s Gazelle, Dama Gazelle, and Dorcas Gazelle on a private reserve in Morocco

Abstract

Abstract Habitat use influences the survival and fitness of animals. Habitat quality and food availability in spring and summer are crucial determinants of ungulate population dynamics, peaking in spring and drastically decreasing in summer in Mediterranean region. Here, over a 2-year period we examine foraging habitat use in both spring and summer of 3 threatened gazelle species living in sympatry in a private reserve in Morocco: Cuvier’s Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri), Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama), and Dorcas Gazelle (G. dorcas). We observed differences among species—Cuvier’s Gazelle foraged in woodland, Dama Gazelle in grassland, and Dorcas Gazelle in scrubland—with differences being mediated by seasonal effects as all species broadened their foraging habitat use in summer. We observed differences between years in foraging patterns of Dama Gazelle and Dorcas Gazelle, reflecting greater herb and scrub cover in 2018, potentially related to greater rainfall. Given the seasonal and annual differences observed, reductions in rainfall predicted with the progression of changing climatic conditions in the Mediterranean basin would reduce the availability of food resources and heighten the vulnerability of these species. The study illustrates interspecific coexistence through food resource partitioning of the 3 species, contributing to support conservation management actions of their populations in setting up structured reintroduction programs within their range.