BiographyJeremy Van Driessche is a PhD student at the University of Idaho. His research centers on large herbivore behavior and physiology in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. He is hoping to evaluate how antelope, of different body sizes, behaviorally and physiologically adjust to changes in water availability across the dry season. To do this he is collecting fecal samples and using DNA metabarcoding analysis to determine which plant species are eaten by greater kudu and bushbuck. Samples of the identified plant species are then evaluated to determine both nutrition and water content. Jeremy will be assessing whether kudu and bushbuck adjust their diets across the dry season to overcome the pressure of diminishing surface water availability. |