Neotropical dry forest wildlife water hole use and management

Abstract

Selected wildlife species diurnal use of a natural water hole (QO) and an artificial water hole (AW) were studied during 1990 dry season at Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica. In total, 9 19 individuals (six marnmal and one garne bird species) consumed water from QO, while 713 individuals (four maromal species) consumed water from AW. Estimated daily water consumption by selected wildlife species was 29.7 I at O.D and 27.3 I at AW. Estimated 2 4-h water consumed by all wildlife species or evaporated was 44.6 1 at QO and 41.1 1 at AW. This resulted from summing: a) water consumed by studied species, b) estimated 24-hour water consurned by other wildlife (QO = 14.85 1, AW = 13.65 1) and c) daily water evaporation (QO = 0.04 1, AW = 0.10 1). Ouring a 120-day dry season, AW required about 4 932 1 of water from the park administration. Management implications for neotropical dry forest water holes are discussed.