Abstract:
Smal 1 mammal and vegetation communities in the
Marula/Knobthorn savanna (MKN) and Acacia welwitschii woodland
(ACW) landscapes of the Kruger National Park were monitored
through 13 months of drought and 10 months of post-drought
conditions. Small mammal community dynamics, and population
dynamics of Saccostomus campestris, Praomys coucha, and Praomys
natalensis were examined. Body condition and the influence of
vegetation communities and microhabitat availability on community
and population regulation were assessed.
During the drought, diversity was high while density was low
(<4 a/h) in both habitats. Extrinsic regulation through food and
predators is suggested. High density and individual growth
occurred in both habitats in the early post-drought. By late post
drought, ACW diversity was high but low in MKN. Density and
individual growth increased in MKN but not in ACW. Intrinsic
regulation by limited breeding season, and extrinsic regulation
by food, in each landscape respectively, are suggested. A model
of the effects of drought on the food supply in each habitat is
proposed.