Human population growth drives food demand requiring additional land for its production. Consequent human encroachment into wildlife habitats, illegal poaching and increased human/wildlife contact enhance disease transfer (animals to humans and vice versa), e.g. Ebola and Sars-Cov-2, both of which are especially impactful in developing countries.
The establishment and management of Protected Areas (PAs), such as the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR) in the impoverished Eastern Cape region of South Africa, offer a barrier between human and wildlife populations and a means of maintaining biodiversity. Importantly, PAs situated in developing countries often represent an important local commercial enterprise and employment opportunity, and boost the local economy through disposable income (e.g. ecotourism).
Within mammal guilds, certain species seem to be particularly vulnerable to energetic constraints and are consequently in rapid decline. Large mammals are a case-in-point. This can be because their distributions are limited and/or because biotic conditions restrict their food intake. Other concerns also highlight the effects of disease and climate change. To ensure future sustainable wildlife populations, we must understand the impact of individual stressors as well as the interactions between multiple stressors on wild animal ecology.
As is the case for many PAs in Southern Africa, reserve income for the GFRNR is augmented through the sale of game, such as African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). However, dense vegetation cover in GFRNR makes informed buffalo population estimates and sustainable utilisation difficult. By fitting sensors to measure buffalo movements and behaviours, and setting trail cameras to document population characteristics, we will examine buffalo movements, energy costs and microhabitat use. Additionally, samples collected from buffalo will be screened for the presence of pathogens and parasites, identifying those which may be transferrable to humans and domestic livestock adjacent to the PA. Such information will ensure the viability of this and other reserves, ensuring the economic well-being of the surrounding communities and enhancing PA management practices, reducing wildlife exploitation and zoonotic disease.
The student will be trained in analytical techniques used to measure activity and energy expenditure in wild animals as well as parasite recovery and infection. Valuable experience will be acquired through working with the South African partner on large mammal ecology. Existing datasets will be used to develop the skills required and then a research protocol will be designed to collect additional field data. The student will be required to travel to Aberdeen University for training as part of the QUADRAT scheme and have comprehensive training courses in data handling, statistics, presentation skills and career development.
More project details are available here:
https://www.quadrat.ac.uk/quadrat-projects/
How to apply:
https://www.quadrat.ac.uk/how-to-apply/
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