Spatial and seasonal group size variation of wild mammalian herbivores in multiple use landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

Wild mammalian herbivore group sizes in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania, exhibit significant seasonal and spatial variation. During the dry season, larger groups were observed further from streams but closer to human settlements, while wet-season group sizes remained stable relative to streams but increased with distance from the NCA crater. Livestock presence did not directly influence group size, but interactions between rainfall seasonality, proximity to the crater, streams, and human settlements did. These findings underscore the NCA crater's critical role as a resource area for species like wildebeest and zebra during dry periods, emphasizing its importance in maintaining ecosystem health within this Man and Biosphere reserve.

Leweri, C. M., Bartzke, G. S., Msuha, M. J., & Treydte, A. C. (2022). Spatial and seasonal group size variation of wild mammalian herbivores in multiple use landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. Plos One, 17(4), e0267082. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267082