Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- Chapter 10 Niche Distinctions: Resources Versus Risks
- Chapter 11 Big Fierce Carnivores: Hunting Versus Scavenging
- Chapter 12 Herbivore Abundance: Bottom-up and Top-down Influences
- Chapter 13 How Large Herbivores Transform Savanna Ecosystems
- Chapter 14 Paleo-faunas: Rise and Fall of the Biggest Grazers
- Part III Synthesis: Movers of Savanna Dynamics: Grazers, Elephants and Fires
- Part IV Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
- Appendix Scientific Names of Extant Animal and Plant Species Mentioned in the Book Chapters (Ecologically Conservative with Regard to Species Recognition)
- Index
- References
Chapter 10 - Niche Distinctions: Resources Versus Risks
from Part III - The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 September 2021
Book contents
- Only in Africa
- Only in Africa
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Part I The Physical Cradle: Land Forms, Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Soils
- Part II The Savanna Garden: Grassy Vegetation and Plant Dynamics
- Part III The Big Mammal Menagerie: Herbivores, Carnivores and Their Ecosystem Impacts
- Chapter 10 Niche Distinctions: Resources Versus Risks
- Chapter 11 Big Fierce Carnivores: Hunting Versus Scavenging
- Chapter 12 Herbivore Abundance: Bottom-up and Top-down Influences
- Chapter 13 How Large Herbivores Transform Savanna Ecosystems
- Chapter 14 Paleo-faunas: Rise and Fall of the Biggest Grazers
- Part III Synthesis: Movers of Savanna Dynamics: Grazers, Elephants and Fires
- Part IV Evolutionary Transitions: From Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans
- Appendix Scientific Names of Extant Animal and Plant Species Mentioned in the Book Chapters (Ecologically Conservative with Regard to Species Recognition)
- Index
- References
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.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Only in AfricaThe Ecology of Human Evolution, pp. 145 - 169Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
References
Suggested Further Reading
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