MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPT. OF LIVESTOCK & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Applied Terrestrial Ecology: WAP 416 Course Outline
Prerequisite Courses: HBIO 210/WAP 222
Lecturer: Mrs M.M Ngwenya
Introduction
The major objective is to build-up applied knowledge relating to the earth and its inhabitants and
the relationships between organisms and their environments. The module will focus on concepts of
ecological features and processes that determine the structure and functioning of large mammal
communities and interactions between them. The module specifically aims to achieve the
following:
 Expose students to basic concepts important in applied ecology.
 Appreciate principles, concepts and processes in large mammal ecology.
 Explain general concepts and principles that form the foundation of ecology.
 Develop interdisciplinary knowledge that links an understanding of ecology and applying
ecological knowledge to sustainable use of natural resources.
 Develop an appreciation of the paradigm shifts in wildlife management and the
determinants of large mammal structure.
 Provide examples and explain how general ecological concepts apply to field assessment
and experimentation in natural resources management.
Course Outline
 Introduction
 Wildlife management and adaptive management
 Body size and large mammal ecology
 Population ecology and regulation
 Foraging theory
 Community interactions
 Determinants of community structure
 Biomass and production in relation to rainfall and primary production
 Impact on vegetation
 Effects on other herbivores
 Concept of carrying capacity
 Methods of determining carrying capacity
 Applications and problems
 Overpopulation and management of locally abundant animals
 Case studies
The continuous assessment mark is calculated from a minimum of two assignments and a test. This
will contribute 30% towards the final grade.
References:
Caughley, G. the influence of body size on populations.
Coe, M.J., Cumming, D.H. & Phillipson,J. 1976. Biomass and production of large African
herbivores in relation to rainfall and primary production. Oecologia (Berlin) 22:341-354
East, R. 1984. Rainfall, soil nutrient status and biomass of large African savanna mammals.
African Journal of Ecology 22: 245-270.
Jewell, P.A & Holt, S. 1981. Problems in management of locally abundant wild animals.
Academic Press, New York.
Macnab, J. 1985. Carrying capacity and related slippery shibboleths. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 13: 403410.
McNaughton, S.J., Ruess, R.W & Seagle, S.W. 1998. Large mammals and process dynamics in
African ecosystems. Bioscience 38: 794-800
Meissner,H.H. 1982. Theory and application of a method to calculate forage intake of wild
southern African ungulates for purposes of estimating carrying capacity. South African Journal of
Wildlife Research 12: 41-47
Mentis, M.T. 1977. Stocking rates and carrying capacities for ungulates on African rangelands.
South African Journal of Wildlife Research 7: 89=98
Osborne, P.L. 2000. Tropical Ecosystems and ecological concepts. Cambridge University Press.