Tagwireyi, ParadzayiMuhoyi, HardlifeMpakairi, Kudzai Shaun2023-02-282023-02-282023Tagwireyi, P. et al. (2023). Decorum in nature: Impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) dung middens follow spatial point patterns in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes, 6(4), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2023.21781132474-9508https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2023.2178113http://hdl.handle.net/10566/8470Guided by the Optimum Foraging Theory,the Avoidance Concept, and assuming that the impala Aepyceros melampus melampus defecate purposevely at dung middens, we hypothe-sized that the impala’s dung midden locations do not: (1) follow complete spatial randomness; (2) cluster along park tracks; and (3) cluster along the waterways. Using geolocation data for all impala dung middens in the Mukuvisi Woodland, Zmbabwe, the G(r) function revealed a clustered pattern at 0–100 m. Additionally, the 2nd Order Gcross function showed evidence of spatial aggregation of dung middens to within 25 m of park tracks, but no evidence of spatial aggregation between impala dung middens and waterways. Our findings give insight into possible evolutionary decorum for optimum olfaction, energy-saving, disease,pest avoidance, and contamination avoidance.enMamalsClimate changeConservationWildlifeZimbabweArticle