TITLE:
Does the Luangwa Hippo Population Size and Density Distribution Vary between Upper and Lower Study Blocks? What Are the Management Implications of Such Distribution Pattern?
AUTHORS:
Chansa Chomba, Twakundine Simpamba, George Kampamba, Vincent Nyirenda
KEYWORDS:
Common Hippopotamus, Pattern, Density, Upper Blocks, Lower Blocks
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.4 No.5,
April
21,
2014
ABSTRACT:
The pattern of population
distribution of the common hippopotamus was examined along the 165 km stretch
of the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia. The study area was divided between the
upper (A-D) and lower (E-H) study blocks. Population data are collected
between 1976-2008 and this study 2009-2012 showed a significant difference in
the pattern of density distribution between upper and lower study blocks. Upper
blocks had higher density of 41/km than lower blocks 29/km. Length of study
blocks was discounted as density was used to determine distribution pattern.
Results obtained suggest that primary production in each study block as
influenced by river geomorphologic features such as river bends and confluences
characterized higher hippopotamus density in the upper blocks. Further research
is required to investigate other factors that may have interplayed with food
(above ground grass biomass) and river meander features to separate upper and
lower blocks.