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ANALYZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN TSAVO, KENYA

Mukeka, Joseph M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1278655589

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts, Miami University, Geography.
The goal of this research was to characterize the distribution of elephants in the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) and relate the distribution patterns to biophysical and anthropogenic factors. Elephants in the TCA exhibited spatial clustering at distances between 60 km and 100 km, and were concentrated near the confluence of the Athi, Tsavo, and Galana rivers. Elephant density was negatively correlated with distance to rivers, human settlements density of water holes and was positively correlated with poaching density. Most elephants occurred in areas dominated by woody rather than herbaceous vegetation. Seasonal variation in green biomass captured by Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from MODIS was an important predictor of elephant distribution. A probability distribution model implemented using Maxent used density of water holes, MODIS EVI, and distances to towns to predict the distribution of elephant habitat in the TCA. This map can be used to inform managers in elephant conservation strategies.
John Maingi, PhD (Advisor)
Kimberly Medley, PhD (Committee Member)
Thomas Crist, PhD (Committee Member)
89 p.
Geography
Elephant; Tsavo; Kenya; spatial distribution; Maxent

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Citations

  • Mukeka, J. M. (2010). ANALYZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN TSAVO, KENYA [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1278655589

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mukeka, Joseph. ANALYZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN TSAVO, KENYA. 2010. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1278655589.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mukeka, Joseph. "ANALYZING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN TSAVO, KENYA." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1278655589

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1278655589
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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.