Data from: Revealing the effects of anthropogenic structures on the spatial distribution of migratory wildebeest
Data files
May 15, 2026 version files 13.48 MB
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README.md
830 B
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WB2019_2023_data.csv
13.48 MB
Abstract
The increasing interaction between wildlife and humans, both within and outside protected areas, highlights the importance of understanding how migratory animals respond to anthropogenic disturbance. To effectively safeguard migratory populations, we must understand their habitat use, particularly in response to the expanding presence of human-made structures in their environments. In this work, we employed a multiscale step selection model within a Bayesian framework to explore the impact of human-made structures, specifically buildings identified from satellite imagery, on the movement patterns and habitat preferences of migratory wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) in the Serengeti. Our findings reveal that wildebeest tend to avoid areas near these structures, even in the core of the protected area where tourist infrastructure is the most prevalent. Although buildings do not entirely exclude wildebeest, they do reduce the amount of time wildebeest spend in their vicinity. Individuals weigh multiple trade-offs in deciding whether to remain or move during migration, and if animals forego access to key resources in the areas around buildings, this could lead to reduced fitness and demographic consequences that may not be immediately apparent. We further find that increasing numbers of co-located buildings have a diminishing rather than a compounding effect on the spatial distribution of wildebeest, meaning that clustering buildings away from key grazing areas could be a beneficial strategy. In light of these findings, we recommend careful regulation and spatial planning of infrastructure development within ecosystems that considers the nuanced effects human-made structures can have on the behavior and habitat use of migratory animals.27-Apr-2026 --
Majaliwa M. Masolele, J. Grant C. Hopcraft, Christina L. Faust, Colin J. Torney
File: WB2019_2023_data.csv
Description:
GPS locations of wildebeest tracked in the Serengeti between 2019 and 2023
Variables:
- AID: animal ID
- X: longitude (UTM)
- Y: latitude (UTM)
- Date: date and time of fix
- migrant: 1 is migratory individuals
- SPECIES: WB indicating wildebeest
- COLLAR_ID: The ID of the GPS collar
- OWNER- The name of the owner of the GPS collar
- Step_length: The distance between two consecutive locations
- SEX: F for female and M for males
NA cells in the column of Step_length indicates that the distance is not available due to it being the last observation for that individual.
