Abstract
The objective of this study was to gain insight into resource selection by the dik-dik, and to determine the possible uncertainty associated with working with satellite and telemetry data. The dik-dik is a small dwarf antelope, found in East Africa. It is known to occur in habitats where there are sufficient cover features, such as shrubs and grass, that also function for sources of shade and diet. These animals have a well defined home range that they scent mark. Telemetry data for 8 individuals was obtained by a fitted GSP collar which recorded the individuals’ position over a 5 day period. Resources were determined by a classification of high resolution Quickbird satellite imagery. ArcMap was used in the classification of the satellite imagery. Although 12 distinct classes were revealed for most of the satellite tiles, error occurred in that not all tiles could yield 12 classes. Also, ArcMap lacked a sufficient tool to split some categories that contained more than one known habitat element. The telemetry data also contain uncertainty in exact location, with the resultant distance error equivalent to the size of some resources the dik-dik may select for. Despite these errors, the diurnal resource selection was determined to be independent of the expected use, assuming random location, and no selection. A result of independence, from a Chi-Squared analysis, occurred for all but two results over 7 individual dik-diks. A larger sample size and further statistical analysis is recommended to determine which resources are more heavily selected for, and the specific differences between night and day. Also, further analysis is required to determine how the strongly specific resources are selected for, given what is available in their home range.