Bj. Wilsey, VARIATION IN USE OF GREEN FLUSHES FOLLOWING BURNS AMONG AFRICAN UNGULATE SPECIES - THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY-SIZE, African journal of ecology, 34(1), 1996, pp. 32-38
In order to determine if use of green flushes following fire varied am
ong ungulate species, six common species of the Serengeti Ecosystem we
re censused on burned and in adjacent unburned sites. Thomson's gazell
e (Gazella thomsonii Gunther), impala (Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstei
n)), Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti Brooke) and wildebeest (Connochae
tes taurinus Thomas) were more abundant in green flush sites compared
to unburned controls. No significant difference was found in topi (Dam
aliscus korrigum (Matschie)) and zebra (Equus burchelli Gray) between
burned and unburned sites. Preference (differential use) for burned si
tes was negatively related to average ungulate body size across specie
s. It is hypothesized that larger species (e.g, topi and zebra) try to
maximize their energy and nutrient intake by feeding on both burned s
ites where there is a low quantity of high-quality forage, and unburne
d sites where forage quantity is high but forage quality is low. Small
er species (e.g. gazelles and impala) feed exclusively in burned sites
(where there is higher quality forage) to fulfil the high metabolic r
equirements associated with small body-sized animals.