I have data on african ungulates drinking at different artficial waterpans at the peak dry time of the system (September-October). I also have data on the surface area and perimeter of these waterpans measured 4 times a year (Jan, April, July and October). My aim is not to go into much detail to describe the pressure but I need to develop a herbivore pressure index that I will use for something else.
Any help or reference?
sounds like you should be able to estimate the volume of water and relate it to an estimate of herbivore use as biomass per day. Perhaps it is worth measureing the depth profile of the waterholes so as to estimate the volume
That option is not quite feasible as our waterpans are full of crocodiles and Hippos and we do not have safe means to measure depths to estimate volumes! Anyway thank you for your suggestion
And if you have any meteorological station near the place or in the region, averaged monthly evaporation/sq metre would be also useful to relate to your measured areas.
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