Variation in water use by mammals in Khao Phaeng Ma Non-hunting Area, Thailand

Abstract

AbstractBackground Access to suitable water sources is important for mammals. This study compared species diversity and the water use by mammals among water springs, standard artificial ponds, and water pans within the Khao Phaeng Ma Non-Hunting Area in 2020 and 2021. Methods Two camera traps were installed at each water sources for 749 nights with a total of 12 water sources. A total of 19,467 photographs were recorded comprising 13,777 photographs of gaur (Bos gaurus, the vulnerable and most important in the area), and 5,690 photographs of other mammals. Results In the wet seasons of 2020 and 2021, the relative use was highest at standard artificial pond number 2 and water pan number 1. In the dry seasons of 2020 and 2021, the relative use was highest at water pan number 1 and 2. During the study period, the number of species was highest in water pan number 1 (10 species, diversity index (H´) = 1.38), and water pan number 2 (11 species,H´= 1.75). Gaur, sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), red barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) used water pan and standard artificial pond rather than water spring. Conclusions The use of water spring was associated with water period (months), while standard artificial pond and water pans were associated with water surface area, water depth, altitude, species diversity, species richness, and number of mammals photographed. Water pans were more suitable for utilization by mammals than other water sources.