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Small population sizes put a species at extreme risk of extinction due to a lack of variation, and a consequent decrease in adaptability. This weakens the chances of survival under pressures such as climate change, competition from other species, or new diseases. Large populations are more likely to survive pressures such as these, as such populations are more likely to harbor individuals that have genetic variants that are adaptive under new stresses. Small populations are much less...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

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Resource partitioning between ungulate populations in arid environments.

Robert S C Cooke1, Tim Woodfine2, Marie Petretto2

  • 1Centre for Biological Sciences University of Southampton Life Sciences Building (B85) Highfield Campus Southampton SO17 1BJ UK; Marwell Wildlife Thompson's Lane Colden Common Winchester Hampshire SO21 1JH UK.

Ecology and Evolution
|September 23, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Two threatened North African ungulates, scimitar-horned oryx and dorcas gazelle, partition resources differently. Oryx prefer rich vegetation, while gazelles favor sparse, rocky habitats, informing conservation strategies.

Keywords:
DesertNorth Africadistance samplingdorcas gazellereintroductionscimitar‐horned oryx

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Wildlife Management

Background:

  • Herbivores are crucial for ecosystem health, but many species face threats in harsh, unpredictable environments like North Africa.
  • Arid regions, particularly in North Africa, host unique species assemblages challenged by habitat loss and climate change.
  • Maintaining a balance between herbivore populations and resource availability is essential for ecosystem resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate resource partitioning between sympatric, threatened ungulates in an arid environment.
  • To identify habitat correlates influencing the density of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas).
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for adaptive management and conservation of reintroduced ungulates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an integrated likelihood approach to analyze dung distance sampling data.
  • Related ungulate density to habitat, predator, and geographic factors in Dghoumes National Park, Tunisia.
  • Assessed responses of scimitar-horned oryx and dorcas gazelle to vegetation gradients.

Main Results:

  • Scimitar-horned oryx density positively correlated with plant species richness, favoring vegetated wadis with herbaceous cover.
  • Dorcas gazelle density showed a negative association with vegetation density, preferring rocky plains with sparse vegetation.
  • Demonstrated distinct habitat selection strategies between the two sympatric ungulate species.

Conclusions:

  • Plant species richness is a key factor for successful ungulate reintroductions in arid and semi-arid zones.
  • Understanding differential resource use is vital for designing effective conservation programs for threatened species.
  • Findings support adaptive management for sustainable ecosystem design and ungulate conservation in protected areas.