Title
Decay rate of elephant dung in Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo
Author(s)
Vanleeuwe, H.;Probert, J.
Published
2014
Publisher
PACHYDERM
Abstract
Dung surveys are commonly used to monitor elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis, Blumenbach, 1797) populations in forest environments. To estimate elephant density from dung density two parameters are required: 1) the dung deposition rate, and 2) the rate of dung decay (Barnes and Jensen 1987; Barnes 1996; Theuerkauf and Gula 2010; Vanleeuwe 2010). The rate at which elephant dung decays is non-linear and is affected by numerous variables including environmental factors such as rainfall, exposure to sunlight, and temperature, and biological factors such as elephant diet and the action of decomposers, particularly fungi and insects but also small mammals foraging for seeds. These complex interactions result in seasonal, inter-site and intra-site variation in decay rates (White 1995; Barnes 1996; Barnes et al. 1997; Breuer and Hockemba 2007; Theuerkauf et al. 2009). For this reason it is recommended that researchers conduct their own studies of dung decay rates to ensure accurate population estimates (Hedges and  Lawson 2006).
Keywords
Congo;Conkouati-Douli NP;Dung decay

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB15375