Species distribution of kobs (Kobus kob) in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve: an exploratory analysis

dc.contributor.authorAntwi, R.A.
dc.contributor.authorOwusu, E.H.
dc.contributor.authorAttuquayefio, D.K.
dc.date.accessioned2019-07-10T12:33:34Z
dc.date.available2019-07-10T12:33:34Z
dc.date.issued2018-02
dc.description.abstractThe well-being of a species fundamentally rests on understanding its biology, home range, and distribution. The highly seasonal distribution of kobs poses conservation and management difficulties, particularly because of the capricious nature of the ever-changing ecological and vegetation dynamics of the ecosystem. Assessing the distribution of kobs and their associated vegetation provides insight into the vulnerability and conservation status of the species. Species distribution and habitat suitability maps were developed and created respectively for the management of kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Kob presence data collected was analyzed using the spatial analyst and Hawth’s tool in the ArcGIS software where the gradients of kob distribution within the protected area landscape were plotted and mapped. Seven environmental variables including location, land cover/use, slope/elevation, nearness to dams and rivers, temperature, and rainfall were considered to have effect on kob distribution pattern and as such used in the development of species distribution and habitat suitability maps. The results indicated that kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve (SHRR) assume a clumped or contagious distribution pattern where individual kobs are aggregated in patches. Rainfall, temperature, nearness to dams and rivers, slope/elevation, and land cover/use had influence in kob distribution. Of all the cataloged habitats, 86, 13, and 1% were moderately suitable, suitable, and unsuitable, respectively. Long-term survival of species depends on adequately large areas of suitable habitats and opportunities for home range activities between such areas. As such, it is recommended that suitable habitats for kobs be dedicated and designated as conservation areas, especially areas along the western boundary.en_US
dc.identifier.otherDOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6475-z
dc.identifier.otherVol.190(107): pp 14
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/31365
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessmenten_US
dc.subjectConservationen_US
dc.subjectDistributionen_US
dc.subjectHabitat suitabilityen_US
dc.subjectKoben_US
dc.subjectLand coveren_US
dc.subjectTemperatureen_US
dc.titleSpecies distribution of kobs (Kobus kob) in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve: an exploratory analysisen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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