TITLE:
Plant Species Composition and Distribution in Relation to Wildebeest Calving Periods in the Short Grassland Plains in Serengeti Ecosystem
AUTHORS:
Benjamin Chow Battersby, Emmanuel Masenga, Raymond Okick, Edward Kohi, Eblate Ernest Mjingo
KEYWORDS:
Grassland Habitat, Life Forms, Serengeti Ecosystem, Species Composition, Wildebeest Grazing
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.16 No.7,
July
6,
2026
ABSTRACT: The wildebeest migration plays a crucial role in shaping the Serengeti Ecosystem, influencing the composition, diversity, and abundance of plant species that support the population. This study examines the impact of wildebeest grazing during three distinct periods: before, during, and after calving, in the short grassland habitats of the Serengeti Ecosystem, particularly in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Loliondo Village Land, and the Pololeti Game Reserve. A survey was conducted with 12 transect lines, each 2.5 km in length, with four lines in each zone (Southern, Eastern, and Northern) for vegetation and forage sampling. The results revealed a total of 123 plant species from 26 families. Of these, 59.3% (n = 73) were classified as herbs, 32.5% (n = 40) as grasses, 4.9% (n = 6) as sedges, and 3.3% (n = 4) as climbers. The plant composition across different wildebeest time periods and sites showed variations in species number, abundance, and plant heights. The interaction between plant composition, site, and calving period revealed significant differences in species numbers (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0021, respectively), indicating that site location played a greater role than wildebeest calving periods. Additionally, plant heights were significantly different in relation to wildebeest grazing periods (before, during, and after calving) (P = 0.0016). Furthermore, the results indicate that mean plant heights were most affected during the calving period, likely due to intense foraging driven by high wildebeest density. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of wildebeest in maintaining variations in grassland habitats and plant heights within the short grassland ecosystem. Future studies should focus on long-term monitoring of plant life forms to better understand the causes of variations observed across the surveyed sites within the wildebeest calving range.