The importance of aquatic vegetation for the management of the barasingha Cervus duvauceli in nepal

Chemical analyses of aquatic plants eaten by barasingha Cervus duvauceli in Royal Bardia National Park, lowland Nepal revealed high Na and Ca concentrations. Aquatic plants, sampled in the dry season, had three to 100 times higher Na content and II to 128 higher Ca content than found in the terrestrial grasses. The Na content found in the terrestrial grasses Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spontaneum and Vetiveria zizanioides in this area was below the required level for domestic stock in all seasons. Aquatic plants, mostly Potamogeton pectinatus and Chara contraria, were mainly confined to three distinct locations, all found within the home ranges of two radio-collared animals. The radio-collared barasinghas were never found in sal Shorea robusta forest in which soil licks rich in Na were located. Aquatic plants may therefore be the main source of Na for barasingha. Consequently, locations with aquatic vegetation should be emphasized in any habitat management programme for this species.