Wetland conversion threatens wetland specialists by reducing their core habitat. The sitatunga is a wetland specialist with declining populations. However, knowledge of sitatunga ecology and threats is limited, particularly outside protected areas. We examined sitatunga food sources, and habitat use in undisturbed Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks, and a Cultivated (disturbed) block in River Mayanja wetland, central Uganda. We recorded indirect indices and sightings of sitatunga along a 10 km transect in each block, and surveyed food sources in 34 plots along the transects. Our results indicate that the indices and sightings of Sitatunga had lower relative frequency in the Cultivated than in the Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks. Sitatunga feed on 39 plant species in 13 families and six growth forms; grasses, herbs, sedges, climbers, shrubs and water weeds. Cyperus papyrus, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Leersia hexandra accounted for 58% of sitatunga food sources. There were more individuals and species with Sitatunga feeding activity in the Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks than in the Cultivated block. Our results show that sitatunga habitat use and food sources are constrained in disturbed habitats while threats are intensified. To maintain wetland integrity and stability of sitatunga populations, stakeholders need to address wetland encroachment.

中文翻译：

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沼泽-萨凡纳栽培马赛克中的 Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) 食物来源和栖息地利用

湿地转变会减少湿地专家的核心栖息地，从而威胁到他们。西塔通加是湿地专家，但数量正在减少。然而，对锡塔通加生态和威胁的了解有限，特别是在保护区之外。我们研究了锡塔通加的食物来源以及未受干扰的沼泽和沼泽-萨凡纳过渡区块以及乌干达中部马扬贾河湿地的开垦（受干扰）区块的栖息地利用情况。我们记录了每个区块 10 公里长样带上的锡塔通加的间接指数和目击事件，并调查了沿样带的 34 个地块的食物来源。我们的结果表明，西塔通加的指数和目击事件在耕地中的相对频率低于沼泽和沼泽-萨凡纳过渡地块。Sitatunga 以 13 科、6 种生长形式的 39 种植物为食；草、草本植物、莎草、攀缘植物、灌木和水草。莎草、稗草、Leersia hexandra占 sitatunga 食物来源的 58%。沼泽和沼泽-萨凡纳过渡区块中以西塔通加为食的个体和物种数量多于耕地区块。我们的研究结果表明，在受干扰的栖息地中，西塔通加的栖息地利用和食物来源受到限制，而威胁却加剧。为了维持湿地的完整性和锡塔通加种群的稳定性，利益相关者需要解决湿地侵占问题。