THE IMPORTANCE OF AQUATIC VEGETATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BARASINGHA CERVUS-DUVAUCELI IN NEPAL

Chemical analyses of aquatic plants eaten by barasingha Cervus duvauce li in Royal Bardia National Park, lowland Nepal revealed high Na and C a concentrations. Aquatic plants, sampled in the dry season, had three to 100 times higher Na content and II to 128 higher Ca content than f ound in the terrestrial grasses. The Na content found in the terrestri al grasses Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spontaneum and Vetiveria ziz anioides in this area was below the required level for domestic stock in all seasons. Aquatic plants, mostly Potamogeton pectinatus and Char a contraria, were mainly confined to three distinct locations, all fou nd within the home ranges of two radio-collared animals. The radio-col lared barasinghas were never found in sal Shorea robusta forest in whi ch soil licks rich in Na were located. Aquatic plants may therefore be the main source of Na for barasingha. Consequently, locations with aq uatic vegetation should be emphasized in any habitat management progra mme for this species.