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Chapter 10 - Niche Distinctions: Resources Versus Risks
from Part III - The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
Norman Owen-Smith, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Book:

Only in Africa

Published online:

09 September 2021

Print publication:

07 October 2021, pp 145-169
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Summary

This chapter outlines niche separation among African savanna herbivores, particularly among grazers of similar body size. Trophic niche differences are related to dentition and digestive anatomy. Browsers are restricted by seasonal food availability while hindgut fermenters tolerate higher dietary fibre than foregut ferments or ruminants. Grazers shift seasonally among grassland types while browsers shift between palatability classes of woody plants. Vegetation components may function as quality, staple, reserve or buffer resources. Sodium is essentially needed.Grass height preferences are not tightly dependent on body size. Body size determines food quality required for metabolic maintenance. Ungulates also vary in their tolerance of heat and cold extremes and in surface water requirements. Security from predations can have an overriding influence on spatial partitioning. The unique feature of Africa’s large herbivore fauna is the predominance of medium–large ruminants.