The benthic macro-algae of Georgian Bay,the North Channel and their drainage basin

Thirty-nine subgeneric taxa of macroalgae have been collected from 83 sites in Georgian Bay, the North Channel and their drainage basin. There were 15 species in the Bay and Channel and 32 species in streams, rivers and impoundments in the basin. Only 8 of the Bay and Channel species were also found in the watershed. Cladophora glomerata was the most important species in Georgian Bay and the North Channel, having an estimated 640 × 10³ m² cover and 19 × 10⁴ kg fresh weight standing crop. However, this species was largely concentrated on the southwestern shorelines of these water bodies. Its distribution along the northeastern shoreline appears to be limited by total ion and phosphorus levels. Chara globularis/vulgaris was the subdominant taxon in Georgian Bay and the North Channel with an estimated 70 × 10³ m² cover and 15 × 10³ kg fresh weight biomass. This species was more widely distributed than C. glomerata. No other taxon contributed significantly to the standing crop including the frequently occurring Ulothrix zonata, Zygnema spp. and Spirogyra spp. The maximum benthic macroalgal biomass was estimated to be approximately 10% of the phytoplankton biomass.     

The diversity,biomass and production of zooplankton in Lake Inarijärvi

About 650 zooplankton samples were collected from Lake Inarijärvi in 1977–1979 from the littoral and pelagial zones of the lake. One hundred and twenty-three zooplankton taxa were found and most of them can be considered euplanktonic.The most important species were Holopedium gibberum, Daphnia cristata, Cyclops spp. and Eudiaptomus spp. Mean pelagial zooplankton biomass was 0.29 g m^–3 in the 0–5 m depth zone, 0.17 g m^–3 in 5–10 m and 0.11 g m^–3 in 10–20 m.The zooplankton biomass at a sandy shore was about 0.09 g m^–3, at a stony shore 0.05 g m^–3 and at a vegetated shore 0.76 g m^–3. About 70% of the whole zooplankton production consisted of crustaceans.The sum of herbivore and carnivore zooplankton production in the pelagial area during the summer was 210–330 kg ha^–1 × 3 months.     

Abundance and spatial distribution of Artemia salina in Lake Abert,Oregon

In 1981–1982 Abert Lake had an area of 200 km², with a mean depth of 2.5 m and a total dissolved salt concentration of 82 gl^-1. The spatial distribution and abundance of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, were monitored for 1981–1982. In 1981 during the midsummer months, with sampling primarily in the eastern side of Abert Lake, brine shrimp populations showed peak densities of 2–4 ind. 1^-1. In 1982, peak abundance occurred in early July and ranged between 5–8 ind. 1^-1. Lakewide estimates of brine shrimp derived from 14 collecting stations and assuming a uniform distribution over the lake resulted in estimates of lakewide abundance of 3 × 10¹¹ adults with a total biomass of 7 × 10⁶ kg. The major algal species in the lake was a benthic filamentous green alga (Ctenocladus circinnatus).     

Stability in a multi-species assemblage of large herbivores in East Africa

Summary Animal census data from Lake Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania are presented. The data refer to large mammalian herbivores, that is individually heavier than twenty kg, of which the numbers were counted in nine different years between 1959 and 1984. The total biomass of these herbivores was comprised mainly of African buffalo and African elephant. Five functional groups of herbivores were distinguished (buffalo, elephant-as-grazer, elephant-as-browser, other grazers, and other browsers). The pressures of all these groups were constant over time with the exception of that by buffalo. Buffalo numbers increased since the last outbreak of rinderpest in 1959. There was no correlation between herbivore biomass and rainfall fluctuations. Individual species showed large fluctuations in their numbers but within the total herbivore assemblage the different species compensated the fluctuations of the other species. This resulted in an overall constancy of herbivore biomass, and, thus, the carrying capacity of the system has to be viewed on the level of all species combined and not on that of the individual species. This view is supported by the result that size of the stability index showed that the system of herbivore species was stable.     

Diet selection and density estimates of forest buffalo in Campo‐Ma’an National Park,Cameroon

We studied diet selection and density of forest buffalo in the Campo Ma’an National Park of southern Cameroon. The buffalo’s diet in this rainforest comprised 43% grass, including 15%Leptochloa caerulecens. Other species eaten were non‐graminoid monocots (21.3%), mainly Commelinaceae (18.2%), including Palisota spp. and dicotyledons (32.7%), mainly leaves (26.5%). This diet revealed that buffalo collect their food on road verges, logging tracks and along large rivers. This agrees well with the distribution of buffalo tracks in the study area. Mean buffalo density in the forest was only 0.01 buffalo km^?2, whereas the density on the road together with its direct surroundings was 0.4 buffalo per km of road. We estimated the total number of buffalo in the 650 km² southern part of National Park Campo‐Ma’an of only twenty individuals. We suggest that the buffalo’s ancestral niche was not a primeval type of rainforest, as suggested by Kingdon, but an interface between savanna and rainforest. The Campo‐Ma’an buffalo most likely depend to a very large extent on anthropogenic vegetation types. Maintaining some grass cover by annual clear‐cutting along roads and on logging tracks might be necessary for the survival of the buffalo population within the National Park.     

连栽杉木林林下植被生物量动态格局

用空间一致时间连续的定位研究方法,在湖南会同杉木林生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站试验基地的第2集水区,对连栽杉木林林下植被生物量进行了12 a的监测,研究了林下植被种类的变化、生物量动态特征、生物量的组成与分布变化格局。结果表明:连栽杉木林在14a生长发育过程中,林下植物种类呈现波动性的减少趋势,其中木本植物物种数下降率为40.0%,草本植物物种数下降率为47.1%。林下植被生物量由杉木林3年生29.48 t/hm²下降至14年生的2.53 t/hm²,其中木本植物生物量由7.07 t/hm²,下降至1.25 t/hm²,下降了82.3%;草本植物由22.41 t/hm²,下降至1.28 t/hm²,下降了94.3%。在此期间,木本与草本植物生物量的高低均出现波动现象。3年生杉木林下木本植物以乔木树种生物量6068.97 kg/hm²最高,占总生物量85.88%,藤本植物生物量736.97 kg/hm²为次,占10.44%,灌木植物生物量259.87 kg/hm²最低,仅占3.68%。14年生杉木林下木本植物以灌木植物生物量881.87 kg/hm²为首,占总生物量70.73%,藤本植物生物量247.07 kg/hm²为次,占19.82%,乔木树种生物量117.87 kg/hm²最少,只占9.45%。3年生杉木林下草本植物以蕨类植物生物量8391.44 kg/hm²最高,占总生物量的37.44%,过路黄生物量36.77 kg/hm²最低,仅占0.16%。杉木14年生时,以芒生物量573.00 kg/hm²最大,占总生物量44.78%,金毛耳草生物量2.93 kg/hm²最小,仅占0.23%。研究结果,可为研究杉木林养分循环、碳平衡、维护和提高林地地力及可持续经营管理提供科学依据。     

Consumption of benthic invertebrates by waterbirds in the Oosterschelde estuary,SW Netherlands

The number of waders in the Oosterschelde, S.W. Netherlands, declined after a reduction in intertidal area due to the construction of a storm surge barrier and secondary dams, suggesting that the carrying capacity had been reached (Schekkerman et al., 1993). In this paper we present data on consumption and predation pressure by birds to explore whether the reduction in their numbers is due to prey depletion or to other factors.The total annual consumption of benthic invertebrates by birds in the Oosterschelde amounted to 1573 × 10³ g ADW y^–1 in the period before the coastal engineering works (pre-barrier) and 1500 × 10³ kg ADW y^–1 in the post-barrier period. More than half of the total amount of biomass is eaten by the Oystercatcher, and only seven (pre-barrier) or even six (post-barrier) bird species together take 90% of the total.Although the consumption by individual species may vary considerably among years, the total consumption was remarkably stable, with a CV of only 3–4% of the mean, especially compared to the variability of the prey populations. In the pre-barrier period, consumption was lowest in mid summer, increased sharply from August onwards until a peak was reached in January. A sharp decrease took place in March. In the post-barrier period, consumption peaked in October.The total consumption per unit area per year does not differ much between different sectors of the Oosterschelde, apart from a distinctly lower value in the eastern part. Of the total amount of food taken by birds, only 0.1–0.4% is taken in the subtidal compartment. In several study plots on an individual tidal flat, there was a clear relation between consumption and benthic biomass.The predation pressure was 13 and 23% of the standing stock, in the post- and pre-barrier period respectively. When cockles, mussels and their main predator, the Oystercatcher, are excluded from the calculations, the predation pressure of the other species was 30 and 37% of the biomass, respectively.Predation pressure of Oystercatchers in individual study plots varied from less than 10% to more than 70% of the standing stock. On cockle beds the predation pressure was positively related to the average length of the cockles present.Based on these results and a comparison with the literature we conclude that, at least for several species that feed intertidally, carrying capacity could be limited by the stocks of food. This does not mean that birds face food shortage each season. As the variability of the benthos populations is much higher than that of the bird densities it is likely that at some times food is not limiting, at other times it is. On the other hand, consumption is very low in the subtidal compartment and species feeding here could potentially increase substantially in numbers in the Oosterschelde.     

Biomass,production and activity of bacteria in the Black Sea,with special reference to chemosynthesis and the sulfur cycle

Abundance, morphological composition, vertical distribution, production and activity of total bacterioplankton and its specific groups in the Black Sea were investigated in August–September 1989. The total bacterioplankton was highest in the upper mixed layer (0.7–1 × 10⁶ cells ml^–1), corresponding to that in mesotrophic basins. In the N-E shallow part of the sea it attained 3 × 10⁶. Below the thermocline (50–100 m) the total number of bacteria decreased to 0.2–0.4 × 10⁶ ml^–1. In the redox gradient zone (zone of O₂-H₂S interface), it increased again. In deep anoxic waters the bacterioplankton, numbering 0.15–0.2 × 10⁶ ml^–1, was functionally inactive. Its biomass was 12–40 mg C m^–3 in the upper mixed layer, 5–10 mg C m^–3 in the intermediate cold layer (40–100 m depth), and 10–20 mg C^–3 in the redox zone. Maximum production rates occurred in the upper mixed layer (8–20 mg C^–3 d^–1) and in the redox-zone, 80–90% of it was due to chemosynthesis of thiobacilli. Below 200 m, microbial production decreased to about zero in the anoxic zone. Maximum activity of heterotrophic bacteria was recorded in the upper mixed layer, while thiobacilli and methaneoxidezing bacteria were most active in the redox-zone. Here, the maximum rates of H₂S and of thiosulfate oxidation, as well as maximum sulfate reduction were recorded. Chemical oxidation of H₂S was dominant. These results are discussed with respect to the present ecological situation of the Black Sea.     

Coarse root biomass for eucalypt plantations in Tasmania,Australia: sources of variation and methods for assessment

This study develops a feasible method for evaluating coarse root biomass (roots >2 mm diameter) of well established plantations of eucalypts and then examines coarse root biomass variability across tree age and size, fertilization treatment, species and site for Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens in Tasmania, Australia. The most efficient sampling protocol consisted of rootball excavation and soil coring for bulk coarse roots, which when compared with total tree excavation estimated total coarse root biomass contained inside the sampled area to within 10%. Across all treatments, an average of 76% of the coarse root biomass was located within the rootball. The majority (>65%) of the coarse roots outside the rootball were located in the surface 20 cm of soil. When size class distribution was examined, 75% of coarse root biomass was found to occur in the larger (20+ mm) diameter size class, a size class that displayed considerable spatial heterogeneity. At the stand level, coarse root biomass ranged from 2.18 to 7.38 kg m ^-2 depending primarily on tree size but also on fertilization treatment, species and site. It is estimated that allocation to coarse root biomass production was around 0.2 kg m ^-2 year ^-1 (around 6% of estimated NPP) for the E. nitens stands examined in this study and around 1 kg m ^-2 year ^-1 (around 20% of estimated NPP) for the E. globulus stand examined. Robust relationships using above-ground parameters could be used to predict coarse root biomass regardless of fertilization or site, but species changed the relationship.     

Factors influencing the species composition,distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in the profundal zone of a eutrophic northern lake

Factors influencing the species composition, distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates were determined in a eutrophic subarctic lake from April 1978 to April 1979. Collections were made at five stations located at depths of 4 to 13 m. The largest populations of up to 5 × 10³ animals m^–2 were found in the deepest part of the lake. of the 24 species recorded in this area, the chironomidsProcladius denticulatus, Dicrotendipes modestus, Chironomus decorus andGlyptotendipes barbipes were most common. The strong development of benthos in the profundal zone was attributed to a consistently large supply of food and warm (4 °C) winter temperatures on bottom. Slightly smaller populations (up to 4 × 10³ animals, m^–2), composed of 19–23 species, occurred in shallower water, a reflection of lower (1.5 °C) winter temperatures. In the anoxic northern part of the lake, only 4–8 species were found in low numbers (400–1 000 animals m^–2). This was likely due to low (<5% saturation) oxygen levels in water and high organic content (18.5%) of the sediments.     

Density and biomass of ungulates in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

In view of the substantial vegetation changes in Tsavo National Park and their possible effects on the herbivore fauna, this study was undertaken to obtain quantitative information on densities of several ungulate species and their biomass. Road strip counts (belt transects) constituted the main method used, supplemented by aerial counts in parts of the study area. Densities of most ungulate species are rather low, the maximum of 2–25 per km² being attained by zebra in the southern poition of the study area. There are significant differences between two parts of the study area, related to differences in vegetation types. Mean biomass density is around 4000 kg/km², of which ?-¾ is made up of elephants. Total biomass density compares well with that in areas of similar climatic conditions but is much lower than that in moist savannas of western Uganda and Zaire with higher rainfall.     

Leopard food habits in the Lopé National Park, Gabon, Central Africa

To determine leopard Panthera pardus (Linnaeus) food habits in the Lopé National Park in Gabon, Central Africa, 196 leopard scats were collected and analysed. Prey items were determined using undigested matter isolated from the scats, and a reference collection of hairs and bones from potential prey species. A minimum of 30 different prey species were identified, 27 of which were mammalian. Leopards preyed mainly on ungulates, which made up 59% of the biomass consumed. Diurnal primates (18%) and large rodents (17%) were also heavily preyed upon. The mean prey weight estimated from scats was 29.2 kg. The most important single prey species was found to be red river hog Potamochoerus porcus (Linnaeus), making up 20% of the biomass consumed, followed by forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus (Boddaert) and cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus (Temminck), each comprising 13% of biomass consumed.     

Distribution, production and role of aquatic macrophytes in a southern Michigan marl lake

A typical marl lake of the Upper Great Lakes region has very few quantitatively important aquatic macrophytes. The macrophytes, however, dominate the total primary production of the lake. Submersed vegetation is extremely sparse on the shallow (less than I m) marl bench that characterizes the littoral of these lakes, and is completely dominated by one. little-known species (Scirpus subterminalis Torr.) between 1 and 7 m. A detailed investigation of the spatial and seasonal distribution of macrophytic species and biomass showed that S. subterminalis strongly dominated the lake (79% of total biomass). S. suhterminalis represented an almost pure stand (to 200 g m^?2 mean annual ash-free dry weight) at all times of the year at intermediate depths of macrophytic growth (1–6 m). Two species of Chara (of eight varieties and forms) were present in significant quantities (12% of total biomass; to 100 g m^?2) but were severely limited to shallow depths (0-S-l m) and protected areas. Several annual submersed angiosperms were present (9% of total biomass), but only two species were quantitatively important. Potamogeton illinoensis Morong. and P. praelongus Wulfen formed brief summer peaks (less than 100 g m^?2) at 3 and 4–6 m, respectively. A striking feature of the seasonal biomass distribution of Scirpus subterminalis was the higher, viable biomass (to 150g m^?2) throughout the winter under ice cover. Cyclic fluctuations of the S. subterminalis populations were discerned at different depths, each with different periodicities. The population at 2 m exhibited a fall peak; that at 4 m had a summer maximum. The lowest overall biomass of S. subterminalis occurred in the 2 m population in June. Chara populations at 0–2 m also exhibited a relatively constant biomass throughout the year. The appearance of Nitella at 7 m in July-October and of Chara at 5 m in September-October was interpreted as an interaction between light, thermal, and carbon stratification. Estimates of macrophytic productivity of perennial (‘evergreen’) species populations whose biomass remains relatively constant throughout the year were made employing several different methods of calculation and turnover factors. All methods resulted in productivity estimates in good agreement with the conservative value of 178 g m^?2 year^?1 for the entire lake. In comparison to the other components (phyto-planktonic, epiphytic and epipelic algae) of the primary production of Lawrence Lake, the aquatic macrophytes constituted a major portion (anuual mean 82·77 g C m^?2 year^?1 or 48·3 %) of the total production of the lake. The low diversity but relatively high quantitative importance of macrophytes in marl lakes is attributed to an adverse dissolved inorganic and organic chemical milieu which inhibits phytoplanktonic production and allows only certain adapted macrophytes to develop strongly. The phenomenon of perennial biomass levels throughout the year is believed to be much more common than previously suspected and has iikely resulted from adaptations of submersed macrophytes to ameliorated conditions of water and temperatures relative to the terrestrial situation in winter.     

哥斯达黎加外海夏季表层浮游动物种类组成及分布

根据2009年7—8月在东热带太平洋哥斯达黎加外海(4°30’—10°24’N、91°20’—100°00’W)进行茎柔鱼探捕调查期间采集的表层浮游动物资料,对其种类组成、生物量及其分布进行了分析。结果表明,调查海域,鉴定出腔肠动物8目10科17属23种;甲壳动物8目30科43属74种;毛颚动物1目1科1属4种;尾索动物3目3科5属5种;环节动物为1目3科5属6种;软体动物1目1科3属3种;其他浮游动物有头足类的幼体、鱼卵和仔稚鱼以及浮游幼虫。调查海域总生物量和丰度的平均值分别为(124.78±176.83)mg/m3和(848±1219)个/m3,生物量较大的类群主要是甲壳动物的桡足类和毛颚动物的箭虫类其中桡足类的丰度(727个/m3)为最高,其次为箭虫类(373个/m3);出现频率较高的为桡足类、箭虫类、长尾类、头足类和鱼类仔稚鱼。     

Group size, density and biomass of large mammals in the Réserve de Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon

Group size, density and biomass of large‐bodied diurnal mammal species in the Réserve de Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon (now Parc National de Loango) was determined over a 12‐month period using standard line‐transect methods. Petit Loango encompasses a range of distinct habitat types, including coastal scrub, savanna, swamps and disturbed and mature forest. Such intact coastal habitats are increasingly rare on the Central‐West African coastline. Faecal censusing indicated highest forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) ecological densities at the extreme coast (2.48 and 1.29 km⁻² respectively), probably reflecting high intensity of use of this habitat. Ape density was comparable with that at other Central African study sites at 1.01 individuals km⁻². Mean total biomass of diurnal primates, elephants and other ungulates over the 20 km² site was 3290 kg km⁻². Forest elephants and red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) constituted the bulk of the biomass, at 67% and 14% respectively. Primates made up 5% of the biomass. This is the first estimation of mammal density and biomass over an annual cycle at a Central African coastal site, and provides baseline data for long‐term studies in such habitats and to aid habitat and wildlife management decisions.     

Seasonality,abundance, and biomass of bacteria in a southwestern reservoir

The seasonality, abundance, and biomass of planktonic bacteria was investigated in a south temperate zone reservoir. Epilimnetic samples were collected periodically throughout 1983 from 5 locations within Lake Arlington, TX. Total bacteria were determined from epifluorescence microscopy and averaged 1.1 × 10¹³ cells m^–3 of water. Planktobacteria accounted for 85% of total cell counts and 73% of total bacterial biomass. Cell volumes were substantially larger in winter than in summer and were negatively correlated with temperature. Cell volumes ranged from 0.076 to 0.330 µm³ and averaged 0.160 µm³. The average biovolume corresponded to a sphere 0.670 µm in diameter. Bacterial biomass was high, averaging 172 mg C m^–3 of water and reached seasonal maximum during winter months. Correlation analysis (simple linear and multiple linear) revealed that approximately 50% of the variation in bacterial biomass could be accounted for by variation in temperature and dissolved organic carbon.     

Standing crop and aboveground biomass partitioning of a dwarf mangrove forest in Taylor River Slough,Florida

The structure and standing crop biomass of a dwarf mangrove forest, located in the salinity transition zone ofTaylor River Slough in the Everglades National Park, were studied. Although the four mangrove species reported for Florida occurred at the study site, dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees dominated the forest. The structural characteristics of the mangrove forest were relatively simple: tree height varied from 0.9 to 1.2 meters, and tree density ranged from 7062 to 23 778 stems ha^–1. An allometric relationship was developed to estimate leaf, branch, prop root, and total aboveground biomass of dwarf Rhizophora mangle trees. Total aboveground biomass and their components were best estimated as a power function of the crown area times number of prop roots as an independent variable (Y = B × X^–0.5083). The allometric equation for each tree component was highly significant (p<0.0001), with all r² values greater than 0.90. The allometric relationship was used to estimate total aboveground biomass that ranged from 7.9 to 23.2 ton ha^–1. Rhizophora mangle contributed 85% of total standing crop biomass. Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Avicennia germinans contributed the remaining biomass. Average aboveground biomass allocation was 69% for prop roots, 25% for stem and branches, and 6% for leaves. This aboveground biomass partitioning pattern, which gives a major role to prop roots that have the potential to produce an extensive root system, may be an important biological strategy in response to low phosphorus availability and relatively reduced soils that characterize mangrove forests in South Florida.     

Abundance,biomass, and production of heterotrophic bacteria in a large plain reservoir during the ice-covered period

The abundance, biomass, production, and size and morphological structure of heterotrophic bacteria have been determined and their contribution to the total plankton biomass has been assessed in the Rybinsk Reservoir (the Upper Volga) during the ice-covered period. Structural and functional characteristics of bacteria, except for their cell sizes in winter, are lower than those in the growing season. However, heterotrophic bacteria have made the main contribution (89.3%) to the total biomass of plankton community in winter. During the growing season, phytoplankton is a major component of plankton (48.8%), while the bacteria average 36.5%. The total plankton biomass under the ice averages 148 mg C/m³, which is 2.6 times lower than in the period of open water. During the ice-covered period, the number of protists is small and they consume an insignificant part of the bacterial production; viral lysis is the main reason for bacterial mortality.     

A matter of size: the population structure of the smallest known living shark,Etmopterus perryi (Springer & Burgess, 1985), from deep waters off the Colombian Caribbean coast

The dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi) is the smallest known described shark, and practically no information has been available on this species since first described in the mid-1980s. Therefore, the aim of this work is to describe, for the first time, the population structure regarding dwarf lanternshark in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. During deep-water research surveys conducted along the Colombian Caribbean coast, 87 stations were sampled using the swept area method. A total of 153 dwarf lanternshark individuals were caught in depths ranging from 230 to 530 m. This information was used to describe the size structures, morphological measurements including length-at-weight relationship, length at maturity in females and the spatial distribution of mean length and biomass of the species. The lengths of individuals ranged from 78.02 to 289.00 mm total length (TL), which is a new record of maximum length for this species. The spatial distribution of mean lengths and biomass distributions show high abundances and high relative mean lengths in the northeast area off Santa Marta and the area northwest of Riohacha. The mean biomass density in the whole prospected area was 5.52 kg km⁻². Length at 50% maturity in females was estimated in 203 mm TL (95% C.I. : 190–214 mm). Deep-water elasmobranch species, such as the dwarf lantern shark, are expected to show extremely low resilience to fishing exploitation, even when they are not targeted by commercial fishing. Therefore, the information reported in this study can serve as a baseline upon which management measurements can be proposed for the conservation of this shark species.     

Potential effects of prescribed savannah burning on the diet selection of forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) in Lopé National Park,Gabon

Seasonality and management are factors that may affect the diet selection of the forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus). Fire is considered a major driving force in savannah systems and prescribed burning is a commonly applied conservation tool in protected areas such as Lopé National Park, Gabon. Prescribed annual fires contribute to the maintenance of open areas and provide high‐quality forage for forest buffalo, a major herbivore in the park. We used microhistological faecal analysis to determine the diet selection of forest buffalo and measured the extent of variation between a dry season, preburn and a wet season, postburn sampling period. The buffalo diet comprised mainly of monocotyledons, primarily grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Intake of open‐area‐associated plant species was higher in the wet season, postburn treatment sampling period (97%) than the dry season, preburn sampling period (87%), which corresponded conversely to a reduction in forest‐associated Marantaceae plants (10% versus 1%). High proportions of grasses and sedges in the diet signify the importance of open areas for forest buffalo. Controlled burning as tool for maintenance of open areas may play a key role in the meta‐population management of the forest buffalo.