How are people affecting the distribution of less migratory wildlife in the southern Kalahari of Botswana? A spatial analysis

Abstract

Previous studies suggested an influence of human settlements on the distribution patterns of some less migratory wildlife species in the Kalahari ecosystem. This study addresses two alternative hypotheses to explain the observed patterns: habitat change caused by livestock grazing, and wildlife utilization. Relationships between selected common and less migratory wildlife species and livestock distribution were examined using aerial counts, ground counts, spoor (tracks and dung) information and vegetation surveys in a portion of the Kalahari of Botswana in a Geographical Information System (GIS).The vegetation surveys indicated effects on the vegetation up to 10km from the livestock waterpoints. Livestock-induced habitat change appeared to have little effect on most wildlife species. All wildlife survey methods and analyses indicated the occurrence of a gap between the impact radius of livestock and high densities of gemsbokOryx gazella, suggesting that the distribution of the latter was to be attributed to high hunting pressure resulting in displacement.It is suggested that selective wildlife utilization is a more important factor in the current distribution of common game species than avoidance of areas changed by livestock in the southern Kalahari.